'Diego & Drew Say I Do' :: A World Premiere Event at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Two Grooms and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts present the World Premiere of "Diego & Drew Say I Do," taking place from March 31 - April 10, 2016, the grand finale in the 2015-2016 Abdo New River Room Theater Series.

Under the direction of Carbonell Award winner John Manzelli, the 15-member ensemble is comprised of South Florida's best and brightest talent and also features a special performance by members of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus.

As a thank you for the support from South Florida's LGBTQ community, funds raised from "Diego & Drew"'s official wedding shower, hosted by Naked Grape Wine Bar and Tapas on March 3, as well as the grooms' dollar dance during each performance, will directly benefit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and The Pride Center organizations.

Creators Matt May and Jennifer Sierra-Grobbelaar, both fixtures in the local South Florida theater scene, emphasize the importance of giving back to the community. "It is quite rewarding to not only entertain audiences with a project we hold near and dear to our hearts, but to also contribute to the fabric of our community through AHF & The Pride Center," says Sierra-Grobbelaar. "AHF and The Pride Center are both wonderfully impactful organizations and we are thrilled to be able to help raise funds and awareness for their extraordinary services," adds May.

What's more fantabulous than a gay wedding? Diego Torres and Andrew Boudreaux III invite you to join them on their special day as they head down the aisle with pride, during a wedding celebration you'll never forget in "Diego & Drew Say I Do." Two eccentric, yet lovable families, an uptight wedding planner, an ex-boy band crooner, and a diva in drag create the perfect storm of hilarity in this over-the-top, interactive matrimonial experience that is equal parts Fun, Fierce, and Fabulous! From the moment the doors open, YOU - the wedding guests, have the opportunity to participate in the ceremony, trade zingers with Big Daddy, and dance the night away with members of the family. Don't forget to bring your appetite! The festivities are complete with a Southern/Puerto Rican feast including arroz con pollo, shrimp and grits, succotash, wedding cake, and a champagne toast!

I spoke with Ben Antipuna and Eric O'Keefe ("Diego" and "Drew") about the play's upcoming world premiere in this exclusive Hotspots interview.

Hi guys! Please tell us your favorite aspect about this production.

Ben: My favorite aspect is that it's a mixture of scripted and interactive. Depending on where you're sitting in the venue, each table is going to get a slightly different experience.

Eric: I think it's cool that you never really know what's going to happen until the night of the show. A lot of the show is improvised, so you never know how the audience will participate with us, and how we will take their cues and respond in a certain way. The interactive aspect is the best.

I like the added aspect of a wedding banquet. What do you think it brings to the show?

Eric: It makes it seem like a real wedding. You can enjoy the food and dance with us and it feels more like an actual celebration. Plus, you get to taste food from both characters' backgrounds. That's a very interesting tie-in that I love.

The creators have talked about wanting to give back to the community. What do AHF and The Pride Center mean to you?

Ben: They are the ones in the community that you see so much. The organizations are really the heart of Wilton Manors, I think. Why not support those who have supported us for so long?

Eric: They are organizations that really hit home for the LGBT community and really help us. I know I benefited greatly from The Pride Center and their services. I like the idea of being able to attend a show and help good causes at the same time.

If there's one message to take away from this show what would it be, and why?

Ben: Now that more people are going to gay weddings, people are realizing it's just like any other wedding. There are different beliefs, cultures and backgrounds, but the main message to take away is that a marriage is about love, family and support.

Eric: With my character, his family really isn't for this wedding at the beginning. It's nice to see that turn around as the show progresses as they realize that "love is love." It's a nice portrayal of marriage, especially since it's so new for us.

TICKETS

"Diego & Drew Say I Do" will run for two weeks, Thursday, March 31-Sunday, April 10 with show times on Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $59.50 for general admission and includes buffet dinner, cake and champagne toast. $105 VIP tickets are available on select performances including reserved seating, cast meet and greet and signed show poster. A full cash bar is also available.

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at (954) 462-0222; in person at Ticketmaster outlets; or the Broward Center's AutoNation Box Office.

For more information, visit diegoanddrewsayido.com