Gateway Delivers Package of Acrobats, Clowns, and Music for Holidays

The Gateway celebrates the holidays at The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts with "Forbidden Broadway: Holiday Edition," "Holiday Hop"and the world premiere of "Cirque Le Masque: Noel."

"Cirque Le Masque: Noel" features a unique, exotic ensemble of aerialists, contortionists, strong men, gymnasts, and jugglers from across the globe. This never-before-seen spectacle blends Cirque Le Masque's trademark physical feats and comic audience interactions with popular holiday themes.

In 2009, Cirque Le Masque received the Best Modern Circus Award at the International Festival of Circus Arts in Bucharest, Romania. The troupe has been featured on NBC's "Live at Five" and has performed in major cities and capitals, including Athens, Caracus, Dubai and Paris.

"Forbidden Broadway: Holiday Edition" mixes hilarious parodies of holiday personalities like Santa and Frosty with memorable send-ups of Broadway shows and characters such as the Grinch, "The Jersey Boys," Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, "Les Misérables," and even the Little Drummer Boy. "Forbidden Broadway" veterans Gina Kreiezmar, Craig Laurie, Kevin B. McGlynn and Jeanne Montano form the ensemble cast.

Since its debut in 1982, versions of "Forbidden Broadway" have combined to play over 9,000 performances in nearly 200 cities, including London, Sidney, Singapore and Tokyo. The franchise's creator, Gerard Alessandrini is the recipient of an Obie Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, two Lucille Lortel Awards, a Drama League Lifetime Achievement Award, three Drama Desk Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre. "Forbidden Broadway: Holiday Edition" is directed by William Selby who, along with Alessandrini, was nominated for a 2009 Joseph Jefferson Award for Excellence in Chicago Theatre for their direction of "Forbidden Broadway: Dances with the Stars."

"Holiday Hop" rings in the New Year as Motown groups The Cornell Gunter Coasters, The Marvelettes and The Platters sing holiday standards alongside their own classic hits, including "Charlie Brown," "The Great Pretender," "Only You (And You Alone)," "Please, Mr. Postman" and "Yakety Yak." With slick choreography and raucous comedy, these three groups together have been named 'the longest running musical show in Las Vegas.'

The Gateway's 2011 Holiday season plays from Dec. 15-Jan. 1, with performances of "Cirque Le Masque: Noel" Dec. 15-19, "Forbidden Broadway: Holiday Edition" from Dec. 29-Jan. 1, and "Holiday Hop" on Dec. 31 only. The 10:30 pm performance of "Holiday Hop" includes a special New Year's Eve party, complete with favors, hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, and a champagne toast.

The non-profit Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County seeks to provide theatre of the highest caliber to audiences within the Long Island region and beyond. It continues the tradition established by the Gateway Playhouse over its past 62 years of service and remains Long Island's longest running professional theatre.

For more information call (631) 286-1133 or 1-888-4TIXNOW, or visit www.gatewayplayhouse.org.