WEST VALLEY CITY — Hale Centre Theatre restages an audience favorite as the heartwarming family comedy “Father of the Bride” opens at the West Valley City theater in the round.
The story follows the surprise engagement of Stanley Banks’ daughter and the wedding planning that nearly breaks his will and bank account.
“We are never going to get away from fathers marrying off daughters,” said director John Adams in a press release. “Being in love and wanting marriage is easy, but actually getting married is the tough part. As long as we have families around, we are going to identify with this family and this story.”
“Father of the Bride” is based on Edward Streeter’s 1949 novel of the same name. The story has been adapted for two films and a TV series, and a Broadway musical is in the works. The 1950 film starred Spencer Tracy as the father and then-newcomer Elizabeth Taylor as the bride. A 1991 remake starred Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.
Hale’s production is double-cast and stars Ogden native Mark Knowles of West Jordan and David Weekes of American Fork as Stanley Banks, with Kylee Bird of Riverton and Madeline Weinberger of Draper as Kay Banks, the bride.
Eleanor Banks, the mother of the bride, is played by Rebecca Nibley of Eagle Mountain and Jennifer Parker Hohl of West Bountiful.
Adam Dietlein of Bountiful and Derek Smith of Herriman are double-cast as Buckley Dunstan, the groom. Smith, who also played Diego/Zorro in Hale’s recent production of the musical “Zorro,” is pursuing a degree from Weber State University.
Other performers with Top of Utah connections include Centerville actor Craig Willey as Ben Banks, the bride’s brother; Farmington actress Jenessa Bowen as Peggy Swift, Ben’s girlfriend; and Centerville actress Linda Jean Stephenson as Miss Bellamy, Mr. Banks’ secretary.