Melissa Giordano - Page 4

What did our critic think of HEAD OVER HEELS at The Gateway? Happy Pride! June is starting off splendidly with The Gateway's wonderful incarnation of Head Over Heels. Running through June 26th, this Keith Andrews directed mounting boasts an extraordinary cast and the fun music of the Go-Go's. Not to mention they are using the same sets and costumes from the Broadway production. Indeed, this show should be on the list for your summer viewing.

Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize winning play Driving Miss Daisy, presented by Studio Theatre through April 22nd at the BayWay Theatre in East Islip, is indeed a stirring and heart rendering tale. The heart of this story follows the relationship of Daisy Werthen and Hoke Colburn over the span of twenty-five years (from 1948 - 1973). It examines race and religious prejudices, but ultimately looks at human relationships and our ability to look at a person’s core.

The John W, Engeman Theatre does it again with their current offering, A Bronx Tale. Based on Chazz Palminteri’s 1993 movie and autobiographical play, Mr. Palminteri also created this musical incarnation with Alan Menken. This spectacular Paul Stancato directed production runs through May 8th at the exquisite Northport, Long Island, venue. Boasting a brilliant cast, this is indeed a must-see as we close out this long Winter season.

Celebrating their 37th season, The Hampton Theatre Company (HTC) offers a hilarious showing of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Ripcord. The entertaining two-act play seems to be the female version of/answer to The Odd Couple. We follow two very different people who try to make it work when they are assigned as roommates in assisted living. Well, one of them is trying to make it work, anyway. Laugher ensues when they start placing bets on certain things and both are, shall we say, competitive.

The Tony Award winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone, the current offering from The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC), is indeed a fascinating piece. I say fascinating because at its entertaining core, it is a show within a show spoofing old musicals. The plot includes mistaken identities, dream sequences, an unexcitable English butler, a Broadway producer going crazy over his Follies production, comical gangsters, a ditzy chorine, a harried best man, and an alcoholic, er, “drowsy”, chaperone amongst other stereotypes. The enjoyable Jordan Hue directed incarnation runs through March 12th at the charming Oakdale, Long Island, venue.

Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three indeed has a hit with their current offering The Marvelous Wonderettes. Running through March 26th, the adorable production is superbly directed by Long Island theatre vet Linda May. This show hasn’t been on Broadway, per se, but it did have two off-Broadway runs in 2008 and 2016 well as inspiring several spin-offs. There have been many local productions of this show and it’s easy to understand why: it is a fun, nostalgic show.

The John W. Engeman Theatre certainly has another hit with their current offering of Rock Of Ages. Running through March 13th at the exquisite Northport venue, this Tony nominee celebrates all things 80’s with some of music’s greatest songs making up the score. Created by Chris D’Arienzo, there are several story lines woven throughout this raucous musical directed by Igor Goldin.

The show is wonderful to begin with; there is no doubt about that. Theatre Three's 37th annual production of the iconic Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol has certainly become a beautiful tradition on Long Island. Even with slight changes throughout the years, this ageless production is as spectacular as ever. Jeffrey Sanzel, the Artistic Director of the Port Jefferson venue celebrating its 51st season, directs the dazzling play running through December 26th.

Whenever you see a production presented by the John W. Engeman theatre, you're in for a wonderful event, especially around the holidays. Their current offering this holiday season, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, based on the classic Paramount Pictures film, is no exception. The Matt Kunkel directed musical, running through January 2nd at the exquisite Northport venue, boasts a beautifully talented, stellar cast.

The Hampton Theatre Company’s doors reopened last weekend kicking off their spectacular 37th season. Running until November 7th, the charming Quogue venue has mounted a spirited incarnation of Karen Zacarias’ play Native Gardens directed wonderfully by George A, Loizides. The cast is excellent, and the story has heart, even with some intense moments.

Between college productions and the many local theatres on Long Island, it may seem there is always a production of the Kander and Ebb classic Cabaret running. However, when you have a wonderful production like the one at the Argyle Theatre, it indeed warrants another look. Excellently directed by Evan Pappas, who also serves as the theatre's Arttistic Director, and Sara Brians, who also serves as Choreographer, this superb incarnation of the Tony winning musical runs at the adorable Babylon venue through October 24th boasting a stellar cast.

If you want a high-energy show, Smokey Joe's Café is definitely for you. The musical revue, on Broadway from 1995-2000, highlights the music of songwriting team Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The spectacle features their hit songs done back to back including 'Love Potion Number 9', 'Yakity Yak', 'Stand By Me' and 'Jailhouse Rock'. Believe me when I say that you will be dancing in your seat at some point.

The summer is winding down in a big way on the Long Island theatre scene. The hit musical, Newsies, is being presented by The Gateway at the beautiful Patchogue Theatre and this offering is a must see. Running through September 11th and directed by Larry Raben, the Broadway caliber cast is superb and you’ll find yourself thinking about how this tale, set in the 1890’s, still applies today.

It may seem a production of the classic musical The Fantasticks can be found anywhere. However, when you have a cast as wonderful as those in Theatre Three’s incarnation, masterfully directed by Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel, you must check it out again. Running through August 15th at the beautiful Port Jefferson venue, this is the world’s longest running musical.

Theatre is back on Long Island and the spirited offering of Tony nominee Catch Me If You Can at the BayWay Arts Center does not disappoint. Presented by Studio Theatre of Long Island at the adorable East Islip venue, Rick Grossman superbly directs the wonderful cast and the superb crew elevates the visually stunning production. Running through July 25th, this is indeed a raucous yet heart-tugging show.

When Green Day's American Idiot arrived on Broadway in 2010, it received a mixed response. When I saw the original Broadway production, I thought the cast was glorious and found the Book, like everyone else, safe; an emotional roller coaster. Furthermore, you have the rocking score of Green Day's Grammy-winning album the musical is based on. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience seeing it on the Great White Way, and I am delighted Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) has added it to their current season.

Now in the middle of their spectacular fourteenth season, the John W. Engeman Theatre continues to dazzle with an excellent rendition of Million Dollar Quartet. It is a dramatization of a real jam session between Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. The Engeman's terrific incarnation of the jukebox musical by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott runs through March 1st at the exquisite Northport venue.

Long Island's Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center does it again with a rousing production of All Shook Up. Excellently directed and choreographed by CM vet Ashley Nicastro, the show runs through February 1st at the delightful Oakdale venue. Indeed, you'll leave the theater all shook up from this fun show.

The show is wonderful to begin with; there is no doubt about that. Theatre Three's 36th annual production of the iconic Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol has certainly become a beautiful tradition on Long Island. Even with slight changes throughout the years, this ageless production is as spectacular as ever. Jeffrey Sanzel, the Artistic Director of the Port Jefferson venue celebrating its 50th Season, directs the dazzling play running through December 28th.

Northport's John W. Engeman Theatre does it again with a thrilling production of Tony award-winner Matilda, the musical. The lavish incarnation, superbly directed by Igor Goldin, runs at the exquisite Long Island venue through December 29th. And, based on the audience reaction opening weekend, you may want to get your tickets quickly.