GOIN' TO THE CHAPEL YOU'LL VOW TO SEE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Byline: Julio Martinez Correspondent

There are very few events in human life as inherently drama-driven as a wedding.

Representatives of two disparate families ceremoniously promise to unite their lives forever immediately followed by a cathartic, alcohol-driven celebration that allows one and all to release whatever tensions that have been generated by this union. By the time the groom tosses the bride's garter to the assembled bachelor menagerie, a plethora of titillating moments have usually played themselves out.

The improvisational comedy troupe Artificial Intelligence has distilled more of these little dramas than can be followed in one evening but their hilariously involving interactive production of the long-running ofroadway hit ``Tony n' Tina's Wedding'' is certainly worth the effort.

Now in their 13th year in New York City, Tony and Tina have been getting hitched half a dozen times a week since February 1988. To accommodate this second round of nuptials on the West Coast (original West Coast premiere was in October 1989), the Hollywood-based Henry Fonda Theatre has been transformed into the exceedingly seedy Club Sparks, owned by boorish over-the-hill TV star Sparky (David Storrs).

After a brief ``chapel'' wedding ceremony guided by agenda-driven Father Mark (Andrew Hawtrey) and Tina's life-repressed cousin, Sister Albert Maria (Iris Bahr), the wedding party and assembled guests are treated to hors d'oeuvres in the lobby while the tables are prepared for the reception dinner and dance to follow. A clue to the ensuing events is provided as ``best man'' Barry (Jay Lay) charges into the reception area with a loudly declarative, ``Let's party.''

Before evening's end, the beautiful but hard-edged Tina Vitale (Jackie Tohn) and her wanna-be wise guy/beau Tony Nunzio (James Grimaldi) have waged half a dozen battles, which is nothing compared to the open hostility running rampant between Tina's mom Josephina (Randi Kaplan) and Tony's monumentally earthy dad Anthony Sr. (George Georgiais). Through it all, the guests party on, invigorated by wine, champagne, generous portions of chicken ziti and the driving beat of the dead-on instrumental ensemble Fusion, led by the vocally adroit wedding singer Donny Dolce (Val Martinez).

The audience can just sit back and watch the proceedings, but there is also plenty of opportunity to intermingle with the cast members both on and off the dance floor. Everyone is invited to dance with the bride during the ``dollar dance,'' as long as you attach some folding money to her dress. And Anthony Sr.'s stripper girlfriend Madeline (Amy Lord) is only too happy to display her lap dance talents to one and all until she is halted by a furious Josephina.

For those wishing to observe only, there is plenty to see and hear. Tantalizing family secrets are intimated as bridesmaids and groomsmen work the room. Tina's soft-spoken brother Joey (Michael Bommarito) is beginning a liaison of his own with effeminate wedding videographer Rick (Enoch Scott). Tina's spaced-out former boyfriend Michael (Hayes Hargrove) has invaded the proceedings and plops himself down at whatever table is handy. And bridesmaid Donna (Jules Dosik) is caught fooling around with the groom's brother Johnny (Ron S. Petronicolos) under the wedding table.

One of the comical highlights of the evening occurs when the wedding caterer Vinnie (Christopher Cause) coaxes a surly and reluctant Tina to join her bridesmaids on the dance floor to re-create their third-place- winning karaoke parody of the 'N Sync hit, ``Bye Bye Bye.'' Whether one is delighted or appalled by these wedding shenanigans, the end result is a brilliant display of site-specific theater.

Obviously, ``Tony n' Tina's Wedding'' is finding its audience. The production has already extended its run beyond the previously announced Jan. 28. The combative but loving duo will be exchanging vows at least until Feb. 25.

TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING 

Where: Henry Fonda Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Feb. 25.

Tickets: $75, includes dinner, hors d'oeuvres, beverages. Call [phone].

Our rating: Three stars

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Photo:

Tina Vitale (Jackie Tohn) and her bridesmaids burst out in a karaoke- style song and dance in ``Tony n' Tina's Wedding.''