Bride To Be
Written by Meg Chizek
Directed by Meaghan McLeod
Presented by the New York City Fringe Festival
Bruno Mars’ Marry You played through the house. When I sat in my seat, Taylor Swift’s Love Story radiated through the speakers. I love when I can tell a fellow millennial's heart is near by the tell of music.
To be honest, I had no idea what I was in for. I read Bride To Be’s description, and said “That one. It’s time to see what my friends are going through on the stage.” I was not disappointed. Neither was the audience.
We were greeted from the back of the house (I love those entrances, it immerses the audience immediately) by a wedding singer/MC getting the guests amped up for a joyful wedding celebration. Jokes are made. Enthusiastic movement welcomes our spirits to amp up, and Mr. Brightside by The Killers is covered.
Meg Chizek opens her show with a character we all imagine ala Adam Sandler in his hit film The Wedding Singer with charisma, energy, and straight up comedic talent. Chizek has a “hooked-on-Phonics” quality that doesn’t die.
After our MC leaves, we meet Meg Chizek herself sans the wig, blazer, sunglasses, and Mr. Brightside vocals. She wears a glittery white jumpsuit to amplify her Bride-To-Be-Ness, and it only contributes to the additional characters we are to meet during the next 50 minutes.
Throughout Chizek’s telling of her story and her thoughts on marriage – and how they relate to feminism, capitalism, and stereotyping – we meet The Maid of Honor, A traditional and conservative Vanilla Cake, the extreme feminist Aunt Lisa, the Mom-friend, and the all-over-the-place Wedding Planner.
Each character holds satirical flair. Chizek speaks volumes about the origins of marriage (it was all made up one day), the patriarchal pressures women face about beauty and kids, and the constant tug and pull women feel in order to be a “good” feminist. She seamlessly hits social points that are now oversaturated on social media with a twist, creating awareness and understanding for those who have yet to be educated, and a personal touch for those that are. Bride To Be is craft in its highest form.
I wanted more. I wanted more characters. I wanted more perspectives and stories from Chizek. Why? Because her energy and storytelling is unmatchable. Her comedic timing (complete with jazz dance breakouts – Gimme Gimme Gimme by ABBA was a highlight), and audience engagement only empowered the scenes where she got a bit serious. She has range, and so does this show.
“Why do I want to get married?” she asks. Her answer is the conclusion we all want deep down: She wants a teammate, and with him, a chance to create a “pocket of joy” in a messed up world.
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Amanda Montoni.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on April 6, 2026. All rights reserved.
