In my youth, back in Cleveland, I saw many wedding parties like Joey & Maria's. Multi-cultural debacles that married German to Irish, Italian to Hungarian, and Polish to something or other. In later years in the Pacific Northwest, as a mobile DJ, I was paid to entertain such events. These often included loaded weapons, heart attacks, and live animals.

So when one lady at my table said she's never seen anything like this, I had to tell her I had seen entirely too many like this.

Despite the grim reality, "Joey & Maria'' goes out of its way to be silly. The jokes even have gray hairs. Joey, for example, attended Whatsamatta U.

Then there are the subplots. But unlike a murder mystery, they don't get in the way. There is the ongoing problem with Joey's ex- girlfriend. The dowry money disappears.

But these problems are quickly resolved with another bad joke and everybody gets up to dance. This dancing is actually another dangerous part of the event. People walking down the hall at the Red Lion Inn stick their head in the door and think it's a real reception. And so it would appear.

The audience is up and dancing and intermingling with the party. The entire room has become a part of the event. Expect to get a big red lipstick kiss from a drunken bridesmaid. Expect one of the groom's ushers to hit on your date. And, as with every wedding reception, expect to have fun despite yourself. The bouquet gets thrown. The garter gets tossed. The bride gets the cake all over her face. Petty family fights break out all over.

If you're lucky, in the middle of all this you get to eat dinner. Chicken Cacciatore, of course. As it happens, this was the third time I had eaten at the Red Lion that week, and it was the best meal of the three. But you do have to eat fast. Otherwise, Aunt Rita Ronzoni might grab you for a dance, and you'll miss out on your cheesecake.

The Red Lion Inn will host one show this month on the 12th. Shows run every weekend in Palm Springs. For ticket information call (800) 944-5639.