2012 Long Island Wrap Up

This has been a very exciting year for the Long Island theatre community. There was a lot of diversity from classic shows like The Importance Of Being Earnest at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to more modern shows like Legally Blond at the BayWay Theatre. Some productions may have been stronger than others, but all of them had a lot of heart invested in each of them.

Some that still stand out to me are Proof at Theatre Three, Hairspray at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CMPAC), Avenue Q at SPAC, Showboat @ CMPAC, Next To Normal at Theatre Three, and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at the Engeman Theatre. All of these were well done and I was so pleased to have seen these productions.

This year also brought some Broadway vets to Long Island. In The Sunshine Boys at the Engeman Theatre, we saw Lewis J. Stadlen portray Willie Clark after originating another role in the Broadway production. Also at the Engeman, Sarrah Strimel from Rock Of Ages portrayed Charity Hope Valentine in their production of Sweet Charity. Additionally, in My Fair Lady at the Gateway Theatre, the role of Eliza Doolittle was portrayed by Jennifer Hope Wills who at one point was Christine Daaé in The Phantom Of The Opera. And finally, Tony winner Lilias White appeared at the Bay Street Theatre in the world premier of Big Maybelle, Soul Of The Blues.

Speaking of world premiers, as it is always exciting to say "I saw it first", world premiers also included Treasure Island; A Musical Adventure and Playdates both appearing at Theatre Three.

This holiday season was A Christmas Carol type of year, but in different variations. The Engman Theatre had a beautiful, spookier retelling of the classic favorite, Theatre Three presented its traditional form, and CMPAC is presented the musical version. This holiday also featured a beautiful production of White Christmas at the Gateway.

Additionally, the Broadway concerts were great fun. My love for the ongoing concert series at the Engeman Theatre knows no bounds. Also this year, the beautiful Tilles Center brought Linda Eder to Long Island and Landmark on Main Street of Port Washington presented Christine Ebersole.

I couldn't be more excited for the upcoming year. I'm looking forward to the same diversity and exciting casts I had the pleasure of seeing in 2012. Here's to a wonderful New Year!