Melissa Giordano - Page 9

Long Island's Bay Street Theatre is closing out their historic 25th season electrifyingly with a dazzling production of the iconic Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe musical My Fair Lady. Directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden, this incarnation is exquisitely reimagined and I am certain even the most devout fans will be delighted. Running through September 4th, I dare say this is the must-see of the season.

Being there are many productions of the iconic musical West Side Story running at any one time, it is imperative that the cast be absolutely brilliant. Indeed, the company at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center does not disappoint under the outstanding direction of Martin Aviles, who has been in several productions of West Side Story himself. This dazzling production, playing through August 28th at the Oakdale venue, will leave you extremely impressed with the incredible talent Long Island has to offer.

The Gateway's exciting Long Island premiere of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert went off without a hitch this past weekend at The Patchogue Theatre. Running through August 6th, I really can't stress enough that this musical is incredibly enjoyable and the cast, directed by David Ruttura, is top-notch. There were some changes from the 2011 Broadway production, but your big, glittery heart will definitely be smiling as you leave the theatre.

Of the many productions that will come and go of the Tony award winning musical Hairspray, the incarnation at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center is incredibly enjoyable. Running through August 28th under the excellent direction of Long Island theatre vet Jordan Hue, the talented cast will leave you singing the Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman score for weeks. To add, the book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan will indeed stand the test of time as we progress towards full equality at every level.

The Bay Street Theatre's dazzling 25th season continues with a wonderful production of Alfred Uhry's enthralling Tony winning play The Last Night Of Ballyhoo. This thrilling show, running through July 24th, truly has something for everybody. It has laughter, drama, it is cerebral, and enlightens you.

After a spectacular season kick-off Tony winning classic Anything Goes, the Gateway continues to dazzle with a rocking rendition of Tony nominee Million Dollar Quartet. On Broadway during the 2010/2011 season, this is the story of the historic jam session that included legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Gateway's terrific incarnation of the jukebox musical by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott runs through June 25th at the bustling Bellport, Long Island, venue.

It is always thrilling to say "I saw it first" and that opportunity arrives with the world premiere of Jonathan Tolins' (Buyer and Cellar, et. al.) hilarious yet heart-tugging new play The Forgotten Woman. Now running through June 19th at the Bay Street Theatre, this kicks off a dazzling 25th Anniversary season for the gorgeous Sag Harbor venue. The production boasts an absolutely stellar cast and the tale will have you on a roller coaster of emotions.

Closing out a spectacular 9th season at Long Island's John W. Engeman Theatre is a first-rate incarnation of the Tony winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Is this show done consistently? Perhaps. But let me tell you everything about this production, running through July 10th, is absolutely top-notch and certainly a must-see for this season.

It is truly a pleasure seeing Shrek, The Musical. Based on the sure-to-be-classic DreamWorks Animation motion picture, the superb incarnation at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson boasts a truly remarkable cast. Running through June 25th, Jeffrey Sanzel wonderfully directs the large, talented company that is led by Danny Stalter - in his Theatre Three debut - as our favorite green ogre.

Indeed the talented cast is the highlight at the North Fork Community Theatre's adorable incarnation of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the David Yazbek/Jeffrey Lane musical based on the Steve Martin/Michael Caine blockbuster movie. The comedic timing, witty quips, and a hilarious, unsuspecting story truly make this a laugh-out-loud event. Running through May 29th at the Mattituck, Long Island, venue, the terrific cast is excellently directed by Laura Pearsall.

The second offering from the Barebones Theatre Company's 2016 season is a wonderful showing of the Tracy Letts' play Superior Donuts. Now running through May 22nd at the intimate Northport venue, Jeff Bennett and Christopher Tully superbly direct a stellar ensemble cast in the Long Island premiere. It is set in present day and the play revolves around Arthur Przybyszewski, a 1960s hippie turned donut shop owner, and Franco, his young yet trouble-prone assistant.

In spite of what you may have heard or read about this show from its 2006 Broadway incarnation, The Wedding Singer is certainly an enjoyable time. Who doesn't love 1980's campiness? Not only that, the Tony nominated stage version stays very true to the hilarious Adam Sandler movie particularly with the dialog.

There is something very special about James Sherman's play Beau Jest now playing at Theatre Three. It actually reminds me of the television shows of the 50's and 60's (I Love Lucy for example). There is no message to preach; it is just funny situations, great acting, witty dialog, and a lot of heart.

The Spring season is officially underway with the start of Memphis at the John W. Engeman Theatre of Northport, Long Island. The multi Tony award winner, directed excellently by Igor Goldin, runs at the gorgeous venue through May 8th and I cannot say enough about this brilliant production. The cast, the passion, the creative team… everything is just top-notch.

One of my favorite things about writing for BroadwayWorld is continuing my travels around Long Island throughout the Spring and Summer. And to bring you the latest on the Long Island theatre scene is just the icing and sprinkles and cherries and... well, you get it... on the cake. And from the looks of things, I am going to be a very busy bee again this season as there are some thrilling shows on the horizon.

Having previously attended a wonderful local production of Meredith Willson's Tony winning musical The Music Man, I was bursting with high hopes for the incarnation at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CMPAC. In a strong main stage directorial debut, CMPAC vet Matt W. Surico - usually the Music Director and/or cast member - doesn't disappoint assembling an outstanding cast and crew for this classic show.

The true talent of the cast takes center stage in SoLuna Studio's incarnation of Andrew Lippa's hit off-Broadway musical Wild Party. Their voices impressively and beautifully fill the Hauppauge theatre with Mr. Lippa's diverse score of pop/rock and jazz songs, among others. Netting Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, and Obie Awards, Director Karen Braun takes a slightly reimagined look at this stirring tale.

As often as Godspell is presented, I always encourage seeing it again particularly when you have a cast as superb as Theatre Three's. Under the marvelous direction of Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel, the stunning company is exemplary for the perfect execution of this important story that is told time and time again.

Having seen a previous less-than-stellar local production of Yasmina Reza's Tony winning play God Of Carnage, I'm thrilled that Long Island's John W. Engeman Theatre has added it to their season this year. Leave it to The Engeman to redeem a show. This intelligent and well-executed incarnation runs through March 6th at the gorgeous Northport venue.