Melissa Giordano - Page 10

When I attended In the Heights on Broadway, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Accordingly, I had the upmost confidence that the incarnation at The Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center was going to be just as stellar; and it is. The wonderful production runs through February 7th at the Long Island venue.

Drama Desk nominated musical Big Fish, now playing its Long Island premier through January 31st at SoLuna Studio, is a delight to see. It is family friendly, has a great cast, and you don't have to pay Broadway prices to see it. Based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel and the 2003 film, Andrew Lippa's score and John August's book is a roller coaster of emotions.

Long Island certainly has some brilliant holiday productions this season. Currently running through December 29th, Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) has mounted a delightful showing of the musical version of A Christmas Carol; the one Madison Square Garden has produced. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Ms. Ahrens with Mike Ockrent, the wonderful cast surely didn't disappoint.

The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is about to get under way and, as always, the John W. Engeman Theatre excellently delivers a fabulous holiday production. This years' offering, running through January 4th, is the musical Miracle On 34th Street by Meredith Willson based on the classic movie.

The show is wonderful to begin with. Theatre Three's 32nd annual production of the beloved Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol has become a beautiful tradition on Long Island. Even with slight changes throughout the years, the timeless tale is as spectacular as ever.

BWW Review: Bare Bones Theatre Company presents THE LYONS

The old English play An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley has had an interesting, long journey. It was first performed in 1945 and then in the UK in 1946 with an opening on Broadway in 1947 that was, strangely, dubbed as "stale". Over time, interestingly, it has become very successful even winning a couple of Tony awards for its 1994 Broadway revival. You will see why as The Hampton Theatre Company (HTC) has mounted a brilliant production of this riveting story.

It is truly a pleasure to see Tony award winning musical A Little Night Music. A traditional musical, it is sophisticated and cleverly created by two masters of Broadway; Stephen Sondheim (score) and Hugh Wheeler (book). The tale follows the romantic lives of several couples with - of course - some twists and turns along the way.

BWW Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY at CMPAC

Theatre Three has chosen the best production to kick off their 46th season, giving patrons an ideal opportunity to embrace the Halloween spirit; Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The classic Tony Award winning musical, created by Stephen Sondheim (score) and Hugh Wheeler (book), runs through October 24th at the Port Jefferson venue.

Celebrating their 50th show, The John W. Engeman Theatre of Northport has mounted a truly exquisite production of the iconic Tony winning musical West Side Story. The tale, of course, centers on Maria and Tony in a modern day – 1957 modern day - Romeo and Juliet situation. Tony and his friends have formed The Jets, though when we meet Tony, he has since left the gang, while their arch enemies, The Sharks, is headed up by Maria's brother, Bernardo portrayed by Nikko Kimzin. Maria and Tony meet at a school dance and fall in love - forbidden in their worlds.

Kicking off their 37th season, The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center has mounted a terrific production of the Tony nominated musical Bonnie & Clyde. With a book by Ivan Menchell, this is a 'biographical' story of the two most notorious gangsters. Many themes are touched upon in this story - despite their violent, criminal shenanigans - including true love, the solidarity of family, and unwavering loyalty. Running through September 27th at the Oakdale, Long Island, venue, the show is truly top notch.

It is a thrill to see the musical Saturday Night Fever, based on the movie starring John Travolta, included on The Gateway Theatre's summer roster. The gorgeous Long Island venue has a habit of getting Broadway caliber casts and, to no surprise, this one did not disappoint. The Keith Andrews directed company was absolutely superb as they seamlessly performed the iconic score featuring, as we know, the music from the Bee Gees.

Over the weekend, I had pleasure of attending the fabulous annual gala event hosted by the Gateway Playhouse located in Bellport, Long Island. In essence, this is a fundraising event, now in its 5th year, to benefit the theatre. Everyone was in the spirit of the 70's - outfits, hair, you name it - as the party featured preview performances from their upcoming production of the musical Saturday Night Fever. In fact, they even dubbed the event 'Gateway's Disco Ball Gala'.

Tony Award winning musical Grey Gardens, which opened on Broadway in 2006, is a superb creation. Chiefly speaking here about the incarnation at Bay Street Theatre, this is truly a special event for countless reasons. Among them is the fact that the theatre, based in Sag Harbor, is only around 8 miles from the infamous house, so this truly hits home for them. Another of the many reasons is the remarkable cast.

When Green Day's American Idiot arrived on Broadway in 2010, it received a mixed response. When I saw the OBC, I thought they were absolutely stunning and found the book, like everyone else, safe. Furthermore, you have the hard rocking score that is Green Day's Grammy winning album that the musical is derived from. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience seeing it on the Great White Way and I am delighted Hauppauge's SoLuna Studio has added it to their summer season.

In attending the newest work from Sandy Rustin, The Cottage, a 2014 Reva Shiner Comedy Award finalist, you will feel inspired watching an original production being developed. This hilarious story, inspired by the works of Noel Coward, runs through September 6th at the gorgeous John W. Engeman Theatre of Northport, Long Island.

When I attended In the Heights on Broadway, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm thrilled that Hauppauge's SoLuna Studio has added it to their summer season. The wonderful production runs through July 26th at the adorable Long Island venue.

I am a longtime fan of Whoopi Goldberg with her Sister Act movies ranking as some of my all-time favorites. So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled I finally had the opportunity to see the musical adaptation that Ms. Goldberg produced on Broadway at Long Island's Gateway Theatre. This lively production runs through July 18th at the gorgeous Bellport venue.

I always say that the mark of a good story can make us alter the way we think. In attending the East Coast premiere of Five Presidents at the Bay Street Theatre, by way of the Arizona Theatre Company and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, I actually found myself sympathizing, if slightly, for people that I, frankly, don't like… politicians.