A chance conversation at a local drag show about three years ago has helped bring what is shaping up as a sell-out hit musical to the Ballina Players stage.

Friends Candace Baldwin and Kristen Lodge discovered over a drink that they shared a love of The Wedding Singer — the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movie that has become something of a cult classic since its release in 1998.

The conversation quickly turned to what they would do if Ballina Players ever secured the rights to stage the musical.

“We said if we ever got the rights to do it, we’d do it,” Lodge recalled.

Three years or so later, Baldwin and Lodge are co-directors, The Wedding Singer opens tonight — and Ballina audiences appear to share their enthusiasm.

Directors Kristen Lodge and Candace Baldwin

The season is about 95 per cent sold, with most performances already booked out and only limited opportunities remaining to see the show.

For fans of the movie, it is a fun and affectionate interpretation of a familiar favourite.

For the rest of us, it is a rollicking trip back to the 1980s  – a world of big hair, bigger fashion, Boy George, Cyndi Lauper and Spandau Ballet.

Ballina News Daily was invited along to a preview performance last night and found plenty to enjoy.

The cast attacks the show with infectious enthusiasm, the musical numbers have energy and the costumes revel in the colour and excess of the decade.

There is plenty of talent on stage too.

Annika Stautner shines in the lead female role of Julia and is a dead ringer for a young Drew Barrymore, capturing both the look and mannerisms of the character while performing with the confidence of a seasoned performer.

Robbie, played by Luke Hogan, while Annika Stautner is Drew Barrimore’s doppelgänger in the role of Julia

Remarkably, it is her first show with Ballina Players.

The resemblance hasn’t escaped the directors either.

“She’s so Drew Barrymore,” Baldwin said, while Lodge pointed particularly to Stautner’s mannerisms.

Luke Hogan, in the lead role of wedding singer Robbie, has also wanted to do the show for years and brings considerable Ballina Players experience to the role. His previous appearances include playing Gomez in The Addams Family and performing in Avenue Q.

That passion for the show runs throughout the cast.

“A lot of the cast loved the movie, so that was a big draw,” Baldwin said.

In fact, the 1980s immersion continues backstage, where the cast has been holding trivia sessions each night.

For Baldwin and Lodge, the connection to The Wedding Singer goes well beyond this production. Such is their affection for the movie that the pair even travelled to Brisbane to see Drew Barrymore during an Australian appearance.

The boys in the band, including Maverick Ransom as George, top right.

Now they have created their own version of that world in Ballina.

And there is plenty here for anyone who remembers the 1980s — from the music and pop culture references to some gloriously questionable fashion choices.

Lodge, herself a big Boy George fan, was particularly determined to get that part of the decade right.

And rising young talent Maverick Ransom delivers.

Appearing in his third Ballina Players production after taking on several lead roles in Ballina Coast High School’s MADD productions, Ransom brings George vividly to life, complete with braids and ponytails tied with colourful ribbons in classic Boy George style, and plenty of flamboyant 1980s attitude.

Even with only a tiny audience watching the final dress rehearsal, he was already drawing some of the biggest laughs of the night. In front of a capacity crowd, George looks certain to become an audience favourite.

The colourful costumes are a feature throughout the production, while the directors are encouraging opening-night patrons to raid their own wardrobes and dress for the decade.

Only a handful of tickets remained for opening night, with some availability remaining for the Wednesday and Thursday charity performances next week.

After last night’s preview, it isn’t difficult to see why the seats have filled so quickly.

The Wedding Singer is colourful, energetic and, most importantly, a lot of fun.