The Long Island theatre community can seriously do no wrong when it comes to presenting multi Tony award winner Memphis, The Musical. Per usual when I see a production at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center, I am truly inspired by the talent of the cast and creative team. This wonderful incarnation, directed excellently by Artistic Director Patrick Grossman, runs at the Oakdale venue through February 4th kicking off their 30th anniversary. The cast, the passion, the creative team... everything is top-notch.
The holidays came early this year to the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre in Oakdale as they present the blissful Irving Berlin tuner 'White Christmas' through December 18. This cheerful old fashioned Broadway musical is based on the classic Paramount motion picture starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as song and dance men searching for stardom while looking for love on the way. Misunderstandings, mayhem, and mountains of mistletoe all ensure an endearing love story and the happiest holiday for all.
Omigod, you guys! Broadway's most fashionable lawyer is currently holding court at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, Long Island. Tony nominee Legally Blonde, The Musical, based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie, had an exciting opening weekend complete with a stellar cast and a very enthusiastic audience. Truly, I can't say enough about this wonderful incarnation.
Particularly over the past several years, the Tony winning musical Avenue Q has become a favorite show of mine. It is emotional, hilarious, relatable, and an original American production utilizing the fascinating art of puppetry. Now running through October 1st at Long Island's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC), this wonderfully executed production is superbly directed by Heather Van Velsor who additionally operates the puppets Kate Monster and Lucy in the show.
Being there are many productions of the iconic musical West Side Story running at any one time, it is imperative that the cast be absolutely brilliant. Indeed, the company at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center does not disappoint under the outstanding direction of Martin Aviles, who has been in several productions of West Side Story himself. This dazzling production, playing through August 28th at the Oakdale venue, will leave you extremely impressed with the incredible talent Long Island has to offer.
Long Island certainly has some brilliant holiday productions this season. Currently running through December 29th, Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) has mounted a delightful showing of the musical version of A Christmas Carol; the one Madison Square Garden has produced. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Ms. Ahrens with Mike Ockrent, the wonderful cast surely didn't disappoint.
Cleveland Public Theatre and Y-Haven present Walk a Mile, created and performed by the residents of Y-Haven, a branch of the Greater Cleveland YMCA. An eighteen-year partnership between the two organizations, the project introduces theatre arts to homeless men recovering substance abuse and mental health challenges. As they work with CPT artists to create an original performance based on their personal experiences, participants develop skills and capacities that support their sobriety and transition to employment, permanent housing and independent living.
Cleveland Public Theatre and Y-Haven present Walk a Mile, created and performed by the residents of Y-Haven, a branch of the Greater Cleveland YMCA. An eighteen-year partnership between the two organizations, the project introduces theatre arts to homeless men recovering substance abuse and mental health challenges. As they work with CPT artists to create an original performance based on their personal experiences, participants develop skills and capacities that support their sobriety and transition to employment, permanent housing and independent living.
Theatre Three has chosen the best production to kick off their 46th season, giving patrons an ideal opportunity to embrace the Halloween spirit; Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The classic Tony Award winning musical, created by Stephen Sondheim (score) and Hugh Wheeler (book), runs through October 24th at the Port Jefferson venue.
Kicking off their 37th season, The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center has mounted a terrific production of the Tony nominated musical Bonnie & Clyde. With a book by Ivan Menchell, this is a 'biographical' story of the two most notorious gangsters. Many themes are touched upon in this story - despite their violent, criminal shenanigans - including true love, the solidarity of family, and unwavering loyalty. Running through September 27th at the Oakdale, Long Island, venue, the show is truly top notch.
While it is true that the musical Jesus Christ Superstar is done consistently among the regional and community theatre scene, we should take the opportunity to see classics like this whenever we can. The superb incarnation currently running through April 26th at Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC), is a great chance to see it again or see it for the first time.
Young Audiences of Houston will honor the innovative spirit of The Boeing Company and Dr. William Cohn its gala, Disco Galaxy Soiree, on May 7th, 2015.
The Tony nominated musical The Boy From Oz brings many emotions to the surface. The story is about the life of Australian entertainer Peter Allen. His zest for life, dealing with deteriorating health, and the love he is surrounded by create for the audience a roller coaster of feelings. For the record, Martin Sherman and Nick Enright have certainly created a story of heart and perseverance.
Neil Simon's Tony nominated play Barefoot in the Park is certainly a relatable one; a young, newlywed couple set up house in a new apartment and learn to live together.
Being an enthusiast of old movies, I saw Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 film version of Fredrick Knott's Dial M for Murder long before I attended the stage incarnation. I have to say that I actually grew bored with film; the 'thriller' seemed very slow to me. Thankfully, the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts' (SCPA) production, running through March 30th, put a better spin on this riveting story... and went at a better pace.
Alfred Uhry's Pulizer Prize winning play Driving Miss Daisy, now running through September 29th at the Smithtown Center For Performing Arts, is one to remember. The heart of this story follows the relationship of Daisy Werthen and Hoke Colburn over the spam of twenty five years (from 1948 - 1973). It examines race and religious prejudices, but ultimately looks at human relationships as a whole.
Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center is a wonderful replication of the Broadway production. In this hilarious, beautiful classic, 117 years since its first showing, it is enlightening to get a glimpse into another time period.
From the moment the curtain for 'Hairspray" rises, you can tell you're in for a great time. Running through March 11th at CM PAC of Oakdale, you'll find this Tony-award winning show has a great story (by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan), great music (by Shaiman and Wittman), and a wonderfully talented cast directed by Patrick Grossman.
Seeing a show like Rodgers and Hammersteins' "The Sound Of Music" is nothing short of fulfilling. Director Danny Gorman and Musical Director Cara Brown of the Smithtown Performing Arts Center have splendidly put together an amazing cast to present this timeless, relevant story based on the memoirs of Maria Augusta Trapp.
When you present a production of 'Phantom', you have to get it right. Noel Ruizs' incarnation at the CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale, Long Island marvelously delivers the classic tale of the Phantom and Christine Daae'.
