Andrew Murano News

Opening Season 40 and kicking off it's Celebration of 30 Years of Live Theatre on Long Island, CM Performing Arts Presents: Sister Act the Musical at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre, running February 25 - March 25!

Returning for its second year, The Valentine's Day Cabaret comes to The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre.

The holidays came early this year to the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre in Oakdale as they present the blissful Irving Berlin tuner 'White Christmas' through December 18. This cheerful old fashioned Broadway musical is based on the classic Paramount motion picture starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as song and dance men searching for stardom while looking for love on the way. Misunderstandings, mayhem, and mountains of mistletoe all ensure an endearing love story and the happiest holiday for all.

"Monty Python's Spamalot," the Tony Award winning Broadway musical comes to life at the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre until November 5 in Oakdale, New York and it is spectacular! From the hysterical performances to the amazing sets and vibrant costumes, this production dazzles and shines!

Join the The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre for Monty Python's Spamalot, running until November 5th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

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 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.

**Results of the 2015 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards are being audited and posted. Check out the winners that have been announced in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Connecticut, Minneapolis, Wichita, Long Island, Raleigh, Madison, Central PA, West Virginia, Columbus, Chicago, Birmingham, Houston, Delaware, Miami, Portland, Boston, Dallas, Charlotte, Vermont, Seattle, Louisville, Denver, Baltimore, Nashville, Orlando, Boise, Maine, Cleveland, Phoenix, Austin, Philippines, Detroit, and Atlanta.  Don't see your region yet?  Stay tuned... more to come soon!

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.

SoLuna Studio will produce the musical BIG FISH as a part their professional mainstage season, with performances running January 8th-31st.  In this touching story centered on the relationship between a father and son, Edward and Will Bloom, the characters will be played by actual father and son, James and Andrew Murano.

I'm always cautious in seeing a regional production of Jonathan Larsen's Rent as I have become a Renthead over the years. The thing to remember is art has different interpretations. SoLuna Studio Artistic Director and Owner Karen Braun fantastically directs and choreographs this slightly reimagined take on Mr. Larson's Tony and Pulitzer winning musical. Running through July 27th, some adjustments were made for SoLuna's vision including an unexpected twist the last moment of the show.

The Long Island premier of Bonnie & Clyde went off without a hitch this past weekend at SoLuna Studio. With a book by Ivan Menchell, the 'biographical' musical of two of the most nutorious gangsters shows true love, the solidarity of family, and unwavering loyalty. Running through January 26th at the Hauppauge venue, the cast is truly on top of their game in this production.

October is the perfect time for a production of the classic Steven Sondheim/Hugh Wheeler musical Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. It's wonderfully creepy, chilling, and unsettling... just the thing to get you in the mood for Halloween. Directed by Karen Braun - who also does the choreography, costumes, and sets- SoLuna Studio's production, running through October 27th, shows you can do a lot with a little - more about that in a bit.

Hair - The American Tribal Love Rock Musical became one of my favorite shows when I saw the Tony winning revival in 2009 and then again in 2010. With that, one may have an unconscious hesitation when a local production of your favorite show is being mounted. No one should have that attitude and let me tell you, the cast at Soluna Studio in Hauppauge surely did not disappoint.