Melissa Giordano - Page 6

Dan Goggin's Nunsense, now playing at Bellport's Gateway Playhouse, is certainly a treat. It was never officially on Broadway per se', but rather it has lead a very successful, thirty-three year life with consistent incarnations off-Broadway and at regional and local theatres. Running through June 23rd as part of Gateway's dazzling (and busy!) 69th season, this production is all about fun.

Kicking off their exciting 27th main stage season - and continuing their mission to foster new works - the Bay Street Theatre offers the world premiere of Jack Canfora's new play Fellow Travelers. Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle award winner Michael Wilson directs the superb production running through June 17th at the adorable Sag Harbor venue.

Singin' In The Rain, the classic Tony nominated musical based on the wildly famous MGM film, is certainly a must see among theatre attendees. With a Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Greene and Music by Naico Herb Brown & Arthur Freedes, the incarnation at Northport's John W. Engeman Theatre will surely have you leaving the theatre with a smile. Running through July 1st, closing out their dazzling 11th season, the delightful incarnation is strongly directed by Engeman vet Drew Humphrey.

Though the classic musical A Chorus Line may be produced fairly consistently, it is always refreshing to see a good quality, professional, local production. This is exactly what you'll get when you see the Tony winner running through May 26th at Long Island's historic Gateway Playhouse soon to be celebrating their 70th year. The large Broadway caliber cast is brilliantly directed and choreographed by Mitzi Hamilton who has had a long association with the show including the original Broadway production.

Between college productions and the many local theatres we have, it may seem there is always a production of the Kander and Ebb Tony winning classic Cabaret running. However, when you have a wonderful production like the one at BayWay Arts Centre, it indeed warrants another look. Excellently directed by Marion Waller, this superb incarnation, presented by the BroadHollow Theatre Company, runs at the Long Island venue through May 12th boasting a stellar cast

One could possibly say that a production of the Kander and Ebb Tony winning classic Cabaret is a dime a dozen. However, when you have a fascinating production like the one at Merrick Theatre & Center For The Arts, it indeed warrants another look. Excellently directed by Daniel C. Higgins, this superb incarnation runs at the Long Island venue through May 20th boasting a stellar cast.

In a Grease-meets-Romeo & Juliet type of tale, the Tony nominated musical Cry-Baby brings loads of laughs. The Long Island premiere - running through May 12th at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) - is superbly directed by Patrick Grossman - the Artistic Director of the Oakdale venue - and boasts an extraordinary cast. I've long admired the top notch comedic talent we have here on Long Island and the artists in this production certainly deliver sidesplitting performances.

Reginald Rose's Tony nominated play Twelve Angry Men is certainly an affecting piece and a wonderful selection for Theatre Three's thrilling 48th Season. This superb showing, running through May 5th at the stunning Port Jefferson venue, is excellently directed by Bradlee E. Bing and indeed continues the intense atmosphere that Mr. Rose created starting with an Emmy winning TV broadcast in 1954.

Spring is in the air and Summer is just around the corner and that means a hopping theatre scene is in full force on Long Island. For the past almost seven years, I've truly enjoyed traveling the Island to tell you about the amazing shows and extraordinary talent that we have. As such, below are some of my picks for this coming season. Ok, to be honest, I'd have listed every show if I could! And soon to follow will be the picks for rest of the Long Island team - Jaime, Anthony, and Nick. We're going to be very busy bees! Can't wait! Cheers!

When I attended the Broadway incarnation of In the Heights, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Accordingly, when they announced their current season, I had the upmost confidence that the showing at the gorgeous The John W. Engeman Theatre was going to be just as stellar. Being the Engeman Theatre, I was proven right. The wonderful production runs through April 29th at the Northport venue masterfully directed by Paul Stancato.

It was indeed a weekend of love at the Patchogue Theatre honoring the fiftieth anniversary of the iconic musical, Hair. To commemorate, the gorgeous Long Island venue put together a thrilling - and abbreviated - concert version of the Tony winner featuring top talent from Broadway and beyond for a stellar celebration brilliantly directed and conducted by Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner John McDaniel. Set in the late 1960s/early 19070's, the story follows a "tribe" of politically active hippies promoting community and love during the Vietnam Era - one of the many themes in this story.

It is a breath of fresh air seeing a production that is all about laughs and silliness. No message, no plot... just a terrific comedic cast making an audience forget about life for a bit. In BroadHollow Theatre Company's boffo showing of the off-Broadway hit Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits, they show the staunch theatre snobs that it's OK to have a sense of humor about their beloved shows.

I had the honor of seeing the original Broadway cast of the Tony winning musical Ragtime as my very first Broadway show. So, as you can guess, I am absolutely ecstatic to see that the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center has added it to their fantastic Spring/Summer schedule. This exciting and well done incarnation, kicking off their 42nd season, is excellently directed by Matthew W. Surico running through March 24th at the adorable Oakdale venue.

Oh my goodness, what a powerful production and remarkable cast is offered in Merrick Theatre's latest The Crucible. Arthur Miller's 1953 Tony winning play is - perhaps - often produced, but when you have a showing of this caliber, it certainly warrants another look. Now playing at the adorable Long Island venue through March 4th, Merrick's incarnation is superbly directed by Daniel C. Higgins.

It is incredibly thrilling to see Tony winning musical A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum on the schedule for the BroadHollow Theatre Company. We have an amazing collection of comedic actors here on Long Island, so this has all the makings for a special treat. Indeed, the outstanding cast superbly delivers.

One thing is certain: Northport's stunning John W. Engeman Theatre never disappoints. This especially with their latest offering of the eight-time Tony winning musical Once. The absolutely exquisite incarnation, running through March 4th, is outstandingly directed by Trey Compton and boasts an incredibly gifted and beautiful cast. Based on the 2007 movie, the story centers on a woman and a man (not officially named in the show) who, besides instant attraction, are drawn to each other by music. However, it is a complicated and heart-tugging situation.

We all need a good laugh now-a-days and Theatre Three's production of Paul Rudnick's play I Hate Hamlet certainly delivers. The brilliant cast coupled with Mary Powers' clever direction brings roars of laughter throughout the production. Originally on Broadway in 1991, not without controversy, this incarnation runs through February 3rd at the Port Jefferson venue.

The show is wonderful to begin with; there is no doubt about that. Theatre Three's 34th annual production of the iconic Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol has certainly become a beautiful tradition on Long Island. Even with slight changes throughout the years, this ageless production is as spectacular as ever. Jeffrey Sanzel, the Artistic Director of the Port Jefferson venue, directs the dazzling play running through December 30th.

Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) offers a beautiful incarnation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast this holiday season. Some may have called this a tourist trap , but you will find that the story is as relevant as ever. Based on the 1991 Oscar winning animated movie, this production is excellently directed by CMPAC vet Kristen Digilio and runs through December 23rd at the lovely Long Island venue.

The holiday offering from the exquisite John W. Engeman Theatre of Northport, Long Island, is an excellent production of the classic Tony winning musical Annie. Marking the half-way point of the Engeman's dazzling 11th season, this production is superbly directed by Antoinette DiPietropolo who also serves as Choreographer. Now I know you're probably thinking: Another production of Annie? Well, when you have a cast as remarkable as this, it definitely warrants another visit.