Melissa Giordano - Page 8

Between college productions and the many local theatres on Long Island, it may seem there is always a production of the Kander and Ebb classic Cabaret running. However, when you have a wonderful production like the one at the Argyle Theatre, it indeed warrants another look. Excellently directed by Evan Pappas, who also serves as the theatre's Arttistic Director, and Sara Brians, who also serves as Choreographer, this superb incarnation of the Tony winning musical runs at the adorable Babylon venue through October 24th boasting a stellar cast.

If you want a high-energy show, Smokey Joe's Café is definitely for you. The musical revue, on Broadway from 1995-2000, highlights the music of songwriting team Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The spectacle features their hit songs done back to back including 'Love Potion Number 9', 'Yakity Yak', 'Stand By Me' and 'Jailhouse Rock'. Believe me when I say that you will be dancing in your seat at some point.

The summer is winding down in a big way on the Long Island theatre scene. The hit musical, Newsies, is being presented by The Gateway at the beautiful Patchogue Theatre and this offering is a must see. Running through September 11th and directed by Larry Raben, the Broadway caliber cast is superb and you’ll find yourself thinking about how this tale, set in the 1890’s, still applies today.

It may seem a production of the classic musical The Fantasticks can be found anywhere. However, when you have a cast as wonderful as those in Theatre Three’s incarnation, masterfully directed by Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel, you must check it out again. Running through August 15th at the beautiful Port Jefferson venue, this is the world’s longest running musical.

Theatre is back on Long Island and the spirited offering of Tony nominee Catch Me If You Can at the BayWay Arts Center does not disappoint. Presented by Studio Theatre of Long Island at the adorable East Islip venue, Rick Grossman superbly directs the wonderful cast and the superb crew elevates the visually stunning production. Running through July 25th, this is indeed a raucous yet heart-tugging show.

When Green Day's American Idiot arrived on Broadway in 2010, it received a mixed response. When I saw the original Broadway production, I thought the cast was glorious and found the Book, like everyone else, safe; an emotional roller coaster. Furthermore, you have the rocking score of Green Day's Grammy-winning album the musical is based on. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience seeing it on the Great White Way, and I am delighted Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) has added it to their current season.

Now in the middle of their spectacular fourteenth season, the John W. Engeman Theatre continues to dazzle with an excellent rendition of Million Dollar Quartet. It is a dramatization of a real jam session between Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. The Engeman's terrific incarnation of the jukebox musical by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott runs through March 1st at the exquisite Northport venue.

Long Island's Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center does it again with a rousing production of All Shook Up. Excellently directed and choreographed by CM vet Ashley Nicastro, the show runs through February 1st at the delightful Oakdale venue. Indeed, you'll leave the theater all shook up from this fun show.

The show is wonderful to begin with; there is no doubt about that. Theatre Three's 36th annual production of the iconic Charles Dickens tale 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 celebrating its 50th Season, directs the dazzling play running through December 28th.

Northport's John W. Engeman Theatre does it again with a thrilling production of Tony award-winner Matilda, the musical. The lavish incarnation, superbly directed by Igor Goldin, runs at the exquisite Long Island venue through December 29th. And, based on the audience reaction opening weekend, you may want to get your tickets quickly.

The Hampton Theater Company (HTC) does it again kicking off their spectacular 35th season with Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Running through November 10th at the adorable Quogue Community Hall, the hilarious production is excellently directed by Diana Marbury. It is a satire of Conan Doyle's The Hounds of Baskerville, so you know you are in for an entertaining evening.

It may seem that productions of Tony winning musical Sunset Boulevard are a dime a dozen. But when it is playing at the exquisite John W. Engeman Theater, you know it is a must-see. Running through October 27th at the Northport venue, the show boasts a fantastic, affecting cast.

Now playing at the adorable Noel S. Ruiz Theatre through September 28th, the lush show features a superb ensemble cast each of whom gets to shine. They're young, but they seem to 'get' this type of music, so devotees of this type of this style need not worry. Some of the iconic artists featured in the fun score are Duke Ellington, Casey MacGill, and Johnny Mercer. And, you're sure to recognize some of the classic song including a?oeIt Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) and a?oeBoogie Woogie Bugle Boya??

The Gateway Theatre ends their dazzling 70th season with the Long Island premiere of Tony award winning musical Kinky Boots. The stellar Larry Raben directed production runs through September 14th at the beautiful Patchogue Theatre. This show, based on the movie with a book by Harvey Fierstein, is indeed a must-see this season.

The BroadHollow Theatre Company does it again with an entertaining showing of Mel Brooks' hit musical comedy The Producers. Director Jason Allyn has assembled a superb cast for the raucous show running through August 25th at The BayWay Theatre in East Islip.

Closing out a spectacular Summer season, Sag Harbor's Bay Street Theater offers a new take on musical theatre icon Annie Get Your Gun. Masterfully directed by Sarna Lapine, this thrilling production has extended its run through September 1st at the adorable East End venue. It boasts a brilliant cast and creative team and it is sure to have you singing the popular Irving Berlin score for days.

The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center, Nice Work If You Can Get It, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Joe DePietro, Patrick Grossman, Matthew W. Surico, Alison Weinberger, Ashley Nicastro, Amanda Wenchel, Nicolette Carosi, Ronald Green III, Steven Cottonaro, Bailey Whitney, Andrew J Beck, Emily Edwards, Briggs G. Houston, Barry Johnson, Emily Nadler, Adriana Michelle Scheer, Jeff Pangburn, Linda Pentz, David DiMarzo, John Mazzarella, Steven Press, Luke Ferrari, Mike Shapiro, Christian Kalinowski, Katie Perpall, Morgan Zweibel, Maggie Overbaugh, Jennifer Trezza, Juliana Jagielo, Katie Johnson, Megan Fives, Kristi Kahen, Megan Monaghan, and Katy Snair

The dazzling 70th season at The Gateway continues with the Long Island premiere of The Bodyguard. Excellently directed by Keith Andrews, the production runs at the charming Bellport venue through July 20th. Indeed, this show is one not to miss.

Sag Harbor's Bay Street Theater does it again with the second offering of their 2019 season, Safe Space. Continuing their tradition of fostering new works, the world premiere of Alan Fox's new play runs at the charming East End venue through July 21st. Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien directs the gripping one-act production.

Kicking off their 28th season of surefire hits, the Bay Street Theater offers the world premiere of Wade Dooley's The Prompter. Initially, the Sag Harbor, Long Island, venue presented a reading of the one-act play last year during their annual New Works Festival to much praise. Running through June 16th, it is thrilling to see how the show has developed.