In the intricate tapestry of fate, the paths of Corey Joseph Mach and Salvatore Marco D’Angelo converged, weaving a love story that transcends time and serendipity. Their journey began not on the stage of a grand romantic gesture but in the digital realm of Tinder, where a year of exchanged messages set the stage for a remarkable encounter one February night in 2016. The vibrant atmosphere of Barracuda Lounge, a gay bar in Manhattan’s Chelsea, became the backdrop for a fateful reunion that would shape the course of their lives Where they spotted each other across the room. Although they hadn’t solidified plans to meet, this serendipitous encounter set the stage for a romantic tale.
Corey, 36, took a bold step, maneuvering through the crowd to join Marco’s group. However, their initial interaction consisted of stolen glances; words were left unspoken. The next day, Marco, preferring his nickname, found Corey on Instagram and took the initiative to send a message. Finally, a date was in the cards.
Their first meeting took place at Shalel, an Upper West Side restaurant adorned with underground nooks and rose petal decor. Over Mediterranean dishes, they delved into conversations about their lives and careers, discovering an immediate connection that felt like they had been best friends forever. Corey recalls, “We never ran out of things to talk about.” Marco’s Sicilian upbringing added charm to their dynamic, with Corey noting, “His natural instinct is to take care of someone, and that was super obvious right away.”
Their respective creative careers, with Corey being an actor and Marco a publicity director at KCD, provided common ground and a platform for mutual growth. Marco, then with limited exposure to Broadway, found himself drawn into Corey’s world of performances in “Rent,” “Wicked,” “Hands on a Hardbody,” and the revival of “Godspell.”
Fast forward to the present, where Corey graces the Broadway stage in “Merrily We Roll Along” as Tyler, also undertaking the role of understudy for Franklin Shepard. Beyond his acting endeavors, Corey wears the hat of creator and producer for Broadway Sings, a concert series where Broadway performers offer reimagined renditions of pop stars’ hits with orchestral accompaniment.
Corey, a graduate from Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio with a degree in music theater, found a counterpart in Marco, the founder and president of Platform PR, specializing in fashion and luxury brands. Marco holds an associate degree in apparel manufacturing management from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
Their first year witnessed the meeting of families, including a memorable Italian excursion orchestrated by Marco in September 2016. Amidst the enchanting landscapes of Palermo, Milan, Rome, and Panarea, set against the backdrop of the Aeolian Islands, the couple exchanged their first “I love you” as the sun dipped behind Stromboli, a volcanic spectacle.
As their relationship deepened, Corey introduced Marco to his family in Strongsville, Ohio, during Thanksgiving. By April 2018, the couple had embarked on the journey of cohabitation in Manhattan, accompanied by the addition of Louie, their golden doodle.
In December 2021, against the scenic backdrop of Joshua Tree in California, Marco seized the moment and proposed to Corey. Surprising the meticulous planner that Corey is, Marco managed to catch him off guard as the sun set over the desert, presenting a Bulgari Serpenti Viper ring on one knee.
The culmination of their love story unfolded on December 16, between the matinee and evening performances of “Merrily We Roll Along.” The Hudson Theater served as the enchanting venue where the couple, surrounded by their Broadway family, exchanged vows, officiated by their castmate Vishal Vaidya, who had been ordained by the Universal Life Church. Spotlights illuminated the stage as cheers erupted, echoing the joy of the onlookers, including luminaries such as Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe.
Their celebration continued in June with a wedding ceremony in Mykonos, Greece, hosting approximately 80 guests at a friend’s home. The ceremony featured performances by Tony-nominated actress and singer Shoshana Bean and Gracie McGraw, daughter of country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The grooms, adorned in custom Roberto Cavalli tuxedos designed by Fausto Puglisi, reveled in the fusion of their two passions: fashion and Broadway.
Reflecting on the dual celebrations, Marco expressed, “Fashion and Broadway, our two loves and our two passions, and what we’ve made out of our lives, kind of fused together this year.” As their love story takes its bow on the Broadway stage, Corey and Marco’s union stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of shared passions, profound connection, and the magical journey that brought them together.
