LONG ISLAND THEATER REVIEWS

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s death, theaters across Long Island have been producing great works of the beloved mystery author true to the heritage of Christie and the spirit of her creativity....

The opening night production of “Annie” on Friday, March 6 at the Merrick Theatre & Center for the Arts marked the fourth viewing of the scrappy, upstart orphan I’ve seen this winter alone (there was actually a fifth I could’ve reviewed if BroadwayWorld hired me two weeks earlier)....

A devastatingly timely production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” by Cultural Arts Playhouse in Syosset brings us to the small, earnest existence of Anatevka, a Jewish town in the Russian empire during the tumultuous turn of the century....

With theatre that touches upon the religious, it can be tricky to strike a balance between artistry and accuracy that carries the audience’s imagination instead of accidentally shunning creativity....

With exuberant dramatic tension and ballroom fluidity in blocking, the South Shore Theatre Experience’s production of “And Then There Were None” was filled with tension, retribution, and an impressive number of blood packets....

A musical forged in ambition of set, stage, and stamina, director Tommy Ranieri’s vision of a world only beginning to stand up for their rights was sprawling and spectacular. Unlike other versions of “Newsies,” Rainieri’s production had a maturity that touched the cast’s characters to trul...

Teenaged theater kids of my generation (elder millennial) loved “Rent.” It was youth-culture, it was edgy, and introduced to many of us suburban kids the magic of New York City where gay men, lesbian women, drag queens, and matinee-idol heteros could all be friends and love each other as family....

The John E. Engeman Theater found not only one, but five such super-talented individuals for their retrospective and introspective production of “Ring of Fire,” a musical based on the life of Johnny Cash....

The world of late 1930s Brooklyn is brought to life and elucidated in Theatre Three’s triumphant run of the Neil Simon classic,”Brighton Beach Memoirs.”...

The ether of war-torn Britain is all-encompassing in “Alice By Heart,” but director Tony Frangipane’s vision overcomes the Nazi raids to create a personal hell of its own that the young characters escape through a British mainstay—literature....

CAP Syosset had their opening night for this winter’s production of “Annie” on Saturday, January 3 and it was a standout version of the classic rags-to-riches musical with a strong, bonded cast....

With the magical notion of having a real ice skating rink on a dramatic stage, the Holiday Spectacular on Ice at the Gateway in Bellport creates wonder in the audience from inception and delivers well beyond expectations in person....

For some holiday cheer, “Annie” at the Smithtown Performing Arts is the Christmas production to bring families that spirit of generosity and can-do attitude for December....

In the perennially winter tale of “Anastasia,” a musical about the young Russian woman with claims to be being the lone survivor of the royal Romanov family’s massacre, The Lighthouse Repertory captured the magic and warmth of a Christmas-time story while creating great dramatic tension....

In the world of Dickens, the reader is for the long-haul of human emotions, and Theatre Three’s 41st annual production has perfected conveying that panoply of passions in the classic, “A Christmas Carol.”...

A perennial, heart-warming tale of personal and societal triumph, the Argyle Theatre’s opening night of “Annie” was a celebratory reminder of why we should never give up on our dreams, even if they look a little different when they come true....

Ray Bradbury’s prescient, Cold War classic, “Fahrenheit 451” was brought to the stage at Bay Street Theater with even more urgency and relevance to our increasingly curated, aesthetic, and good vibes based lives in 2025....

Parents looking to introduce their children to the world of theater patronage should look no further than “Boo! The Musical Adventure” playing at the Bayway Arts Center in East Islip on Saturday and Sunday, November 1 and 2 at 11 am....

As in-depth, thrilling, and heart-breaking as Carole King’s legendary album, Tapestry, Cultural Performing Arts Center Syosset’s production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” was a full ride of the human emotions that was embodied in the songs that defined American music for a generatio...

Cole Porter’s ANYTHING GOES, the latest theatrical venture by CM Performing Arts Center (referred to hereinafter as CMPAC), is a surefire hit. Directed by Kevin Burns, the production dazzles from start to finish. Under Burns’ direction, viewing the production felt as though you were stepping bac...

In 2006, the New Jersey Nets, now Brooklyn Nets, were not having a great season. To keep interest in the team outside of basketball, Barry Baum, Nets Basketball VP of Business and Entertainment PR, decided to create a senior dance team that would perform during half time. ...

It’s no secret that the right ingredients, and a touch of heart, make the best pies. WAITRESS at the John W. Engeman Theatre in Northport is a very strong representation of this notion....

LITTLE WOMEN, the musical based on the 1869 novel of the same name written by Louisa May Alcott, is currently running at CAP Merrick through April 27th. The production truly captures the heart and soul of the widely-celebrated source material. Please note, the following review comes from two viewing...

Experience the magic of MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Cultural Arts Playhouse! Enjoy stellar performances and captivating choreography until April 27, 2025. ...

When “the sun is shining and it’s a lovely day,” it’s a great day to see a musical. In a world filled with woe, and “every hour going oh, so slow,” it’s the perfect time to take in AVENUE Q at the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Syosset! Directed by Tony Frangipane, this production pulls ou...