Melissa Giordano - Page 16

In their ongoing effort to support new works, the Bay Street Theatre kicks off their 26th main stage season with the World Premiere of Andrew Lippa's latest musical The Man In The Ceiling. Running through June 25th, this endearing production, directed by Tony winner Jeffrey Seller, boasts a stellar cast and creative team. And judging by the very enthusiastic, packed house opening night, you may want to get your tickets quickly.

Closing out their spectacular 32nd season, the Hampton Theatre Company (HTC) offers the uproarious British comedy Alarms and Excursions by Michael Frayn. In this engaging play, the actors appear in a series of vignettes - different characters and stories; sometimes all on stage together and sometimes not - making light otherwise embarrassing situations. Moreover, situations involving new technology - 1998 technology. Most of the vignettes don't have any relation, but each are absolutely sidesplitting.

I'm always cautiously optimistic in seeing a regional production of Jonathan Larson's Rent as I am a Renthead of MANY years. The thing to remember, obviously, is art has different interpretations. It is interesting to see the different elucidations of the choreography, the varied choices the actors make, the Director's vision, et cetera. I can proudly say that The Gateway Playhouse's incarnation of the Tony and Pulitzer winner, which is kicking off a very busy Summer season for the darling Bellport venue, does not disappoint.

Brilliantly ending their spectacular 10th season, Long Island's John W. Engeman Theatre offers a great incarnation of the iconic, game-changing musical Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!. Excellently directed by Engeman vet Igor Goldin, this production runs through June 25th at the gorgeous Northport venue. The cast is truly outstanding and the whole production is well done.

See, everyone? Getting older doesn't have to be boring or frightening. As depicted in the adorable production of Assisted Living, The Musical, it can be an interesting ride to embrace. For the satirical tale, creators Rick Compton and Betsy Bennett created an eclectic collection of characters, portrayed by two actors, to make light in reaching the twilight years living in a retirement community.

Spring is in the air and that means a hopping theatre scene is in full force on Long Island. For the past almost six years, I've truly enjoyed traveling the Island to tell you about the amazing shows and extraordinary talent that we have.

The latest offering from Theatre Three, Where There's A Will, is indeed a special treat. Not only did Jeffrey Sanzel (Theatre Three's Artistic Director and a pillar of the Long Island theatre community) create the hilarious play, but he also assembled an all-star cast for the presentation. This zany production runs through May 6th at the Port Jefferson venue.

Canadian playwright Bernard Slade is perhaps best known for his 1975 Broadway debut play Same Time, Next Year in addition to his TV credits. Out of his usual comedic realm, Mr. Slade proves versatile with this gripping British who-dun-it play, An Act of the Imagination, currently being presented by the Hampton Theatre Company through April 9th at the Quogue Community Hall.

To start, this article will probably not do this incredible production justice. The Engeman's latest, Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical is absolutely electrifying and the Broadway caliber cast is positively glorious. This is, without a doubt, a must see for the season. And by the reaction of the sold out audience on opening night, you may want to get your tickets quickly as this runs through April 30th.

CK Productions' latest, Tony nominee You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown is a really cute production. Based on the characters created by Charles M. Schulz in his iconic comic strip Peanuts, this fun musical, created by Clark Gesner, was actually originally done in 1967. This incarnation, however, is a replication of the 1999 revival.

Respect: A Musical Journey Of Women - currently playing through March 25th at Port Jefferson's gorgeous Theatre Three - is truly a thought-provoking show taking the audience on a roller coaster of emotions. The musical, created by Dorothy Marcic, takes us on the journey of women - inspired by the women in her life - through generations of Top 40 music. As society has changed, the attitude and tone in music has changed and with this production, Dorothy has basically built the soundtrack of generations of women. Do we as women have further to go? Yes, but the progress that we see is really inspiring from the 'doting housewife' to influential civil rights activists to Presidents of essential organizations.

I am a longtime fan of Whoopi Goldberg with the Sister Act movies ranking as some of my all-time favorites. So, as you can imagine, I am thoroughly excited to again see the musical adaptation now playing at Long Island's Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC). This lively production, kicking off their 40th season, runs through March 25th at the Oakdale venue.

BroadHollow's latest offering, the multi Tony winning musical She Loves Me, boasts a superb ensemble cast that wonderfully delivers this sugary-sweet production with panache. Well, mostly sugary-sweet… there are some tense moments peppered throughout. Running through February 26th at their BayWay Theatre in East Islip (then continuing to their Elmont location), this incarnation is excellently directed by Bobby Kabat.

In another hit for Long Island's John W. Engeman Theatre, Tony nominee The Full Monty delivers a lively production like its Broadway predecessor. This wonderful incarnation, directed superbly by Engeman newbie KEITH ANDREWS, runs through March 5th at the gorgeous Northport venue. The tale centers on a group of steel workers who were laid-off from their job and we follow them trying to get back on their feet and overcome insecurities.

The Long Island theatre community can seriously do no wrong when it comes to presenting multi Tony award winner Memphis, The Musical. Per usual when I see a production at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center, I am truly inspired by the talent of the cast and creative team. This wonderful incarnation, directed excellently by Artistic Director Patrick Grossman, runs at the Oakdale venue through February 4th kicking off their 30th anniversary. The cast, the passion, the creative team... everything is top-notch.

It was indeed an emotional night at Long Island's SoLuna Studio annual holiday concert. As the Hauppauge venue turns more to their educational programming and Children's theatre - though not completely eliminating their main stage shows - owners Karen Braun and Megan Pietroforte took time with patrons to celebrate and reflect on their 5 years of wonderful theatre thus far.

The hustle and bustle of the season is in full swing and the - relatively - new Long Island theatre company, CK Productions, excellently delivers an enjoyable holiday production in Meredith Willson's classic Miracle On 34th Street. This musical incarnation runs through December 28th at their new location, Ronkonkoma's Richie Applebaum Theatre, with a wonderful, talented, and spirited cast.

Having a long run on Broadway from 2007 to 2013, it is safe to day that any incarnation of Mary Poppins will not disappoint even the most devoted fans. One thing is sure; this still remains one of the most popular tales to this day as confirmed by the enthusiastic, nearly sold out audience at the John W. Engeman Theatre in Northport. The iconic story's musical adaptation, now playing through January 1st at the gorgeous Long Island venue, features an exceptional and spirited cast.

The show is wonderful to begin with; that you can be sure. Theatre Three's 33rd annual production of the beloved Charles Dickens classic 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.

The latest offering from The Bay Street Theatre, Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, with an original script adapted for the Sag Harbor venue by Scott Eck and Joe Minutillo, will leave you unequivocally breathless. The cast is absolutely astounding delivering intense performances taking the audience on a true emotional roller coaster. Based on the classic novel, this thrilling production, part of Bay Street's LITERATURE LIVE! educational program (more about that below), runs through November 26th.