Summer Stages: Long Island Spring/Summer 2016 Preview

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.

Northport's gorgeous John W. Engeman Theatre has several rousing Tony Award winning musicals coming up. The 2010 Best Musical winner, Memphis, starts March 24th followed by the 2002 Best Musical winner, Thoroughly Modern Millie, beginning May 26th. Then kicking off the Engeman's 10th spectacular season is the East Coast Regional premier of the ABBAsolutely fun Tony nominee Mamma Mia! beginning July 21st. The summer then closes out with the 1969 Best Musical winner, 1776, beginning September 22nd which is surely to be a hit.

The Gateway Playhouse, located in the bustling town of Bellport, also has a very lively season on tap. Opening May 18th is the Tony Award winning Cole Porter classic Anything Goes followed by Million Dollar Quartet beginning June 8th. Then on June 29, the 1978 Best Musical Tony Award winner Ain't Misbehavin' opens followed by an electrifying incarnation of Pricilla, Queen Of The Desert beginning July 20th (Side note: Gateway's Pricilla... will run at The Patchogue Theatre on Main Street in Patchogue.) The season culminates with The Rocky Horror Show beginning August 24.

The Bay Street Theatre, in the stunning town of Sag Harbor, always produces memorable productions and this season is looking to be no different. Kicking off their Summer is an exciting world premiere of The Forgotten Woman, a play by Jonathan Tolins, beginning May 31st followed by The Last Night Of Ballyhoo, a play by Alfred Uhry, beginning June 28th. And closing out the incredible season is a sure to be dazzling production of the Frederick Loewe/Alan Jay Lerner classic My Fair Lady beginning August 2nd.

As for The Noel Ruiz Theatre at CMPAC of Oakdale, their current season winds down with three hit musicals. Beginning April 30th is Tony nominee The Wedding Singer followed by Disney's The Little Mermaid (another Tony nominee) beginning June 4th. The current season concludes with iconic Tony winner West Side Story beginning July 30th which I am sure is going to look brilliant on the large stage. They will be announcing more shows soon; they will be having a super fun "season announcement" party, so we will know then.

Truth be told, this is only the tip of the iceberg. I also can't wait to see productions from Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, SoLuna Studio in Hauppauge, The Hampton Theatre Company in Quogue, Barebones Theatre Company in Northport, and the Smithtown Performing Arts Center in Smithtown among others. I am also looking forward to visiting several theatres that I haven't had the opportunity to call on thus far.

As you can probably tell, the Long Island theatre scene is really vast and the inspiring talent and artistry would indeed make the top people of the theatre industry very proud.

Photo by Melissa Giordano; Sag Harbor Bay located in Sag Harbor, Long Island