Mark Maurice

Long Island's BroadHollow Theatre Company continues a terrific Summer season with a superb production of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors. This incarnation runs at East Islip's BayWay Theatre through August 26 continuing at their Elmont location beginning September 1st. Directed by Jason Allyn and boasting an excellent cast, this is based on the classic 1960 film. Book writer Howard Ashman pens (and writes the lyrics for) the theatre staple's heartfelt story and Alan Menken's music is a fun fusion of 1960s Rock & Roll, Doo-wop and Motown. You'll more than likely be familiar with the scores' popular tunes including the title song and 'Suddenly, Seymour'.

While watching and enjoying 'We Will Rock You,' the latest hit musical at the Smithtown Center For The Performing Arts, you tend to wonder why the show's stars who belt out Queen's greatest hits aren't on Broadway. Gifted performers Andrew Murano and Danielle Nigro delight audiences as they breeze through the rock and roll score and lead a talented troop of young artists to stardom.

Get ready to ROCK this summer as Smithtown Performing Arts Center proudly presents WE WILL ROCK YOU. Performances run July 7th-August 19th, 2018. 

It was a magical night at the SoLuna Studio as the exceptional cast of 'Pippin' graced the stage, sang and danced in the aisles, and at times, wound up performing in our laps. Composer Stephen Schwartz' masterpiece is brought to life by a talented bunch of young actors and actresses who are certainly on their way to Broadway. Not only does this energetic cast perform the entire 1972 Broadway musical with great gusto and pride but they also created an exceptional circus atmosphere, reminiscent of the 2013 Broadway revival, which brought 'Pippin' to a whole new exciting level.

A delightful Little Shop of Horrors is the latest offering from Long Island's SoLuna Studio. Based on the classic 1960 film, writer Howard Ashman pens - and writes the lyrics for - the theatre staple's heartfelt story and Alan Menken's music is a fun fusion of 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and Motown. You will probably be familiar with the score's popular tunes including the title song and 'Suddenly, Seymour'. The Hauppauge venue's enjoyable incarnation runs through October 30th and Artistic Director Karen Braun excellently directs the talented cast who effortlessly delivers in each of their performances.

The true talent of the cast takes center stage in SoLuna Studio's incarnation of Andrew Lippa's hit off-Broadway musical Wild Party. Their voices impressively and beautifully fill the Hauppauge theatre with Mr. Lippa's diverse score of pop/rock and jazz songs, among others. Netting Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, and Obie Awards, Director Karen Braun takes a slightly reimagined look at this stirring tale.

It is a brave decision for a local theatre to take on a show that was not exactly well received for its Broadway run. However, it seems that if it is derived from a popular movie it is certainly worth the risk and, in the end, people will attend the show. In seeing Ghost, The Musical at SoLuna Studio, you will see it is an excellent decision to add this show to their 2015 season.