Melissa Giordano - Page 6

What did our critic think of OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS at Hampton Theatre Company?

What did our critic think of MATILDA at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre At CM Performing Arts Center?

What did our critic think of MYSTIC PIZZA at The John W. Engeman Theatre?

What did our critic think of THE CHER SHOW PRESENTED BY THE GATEWAY PLAYHOUSE at The Patchogue Theatre?

This past weekend, I had the tremendous honor to attend the benefit gala for Quogue's Hampton Theatre Company. What a wonderful evening! See photos from the event.

What did our critic think of THE SOAP MYTH at Southampton Cultural Center?

I had the honor of seeing the original Broadway cast of the Tony-winning musical Ragtime as my very first Broadway show. So, as you can guess, I am absolutely ecstatic to see that the Bay Street Theater added it to their fantastic mainstage season this year. This well done and heart rendering incarnation is excellently directed by Will Pomerantz - who also serves at Bay Street's Associate Artistic Director - and runs through August 28th at the gorgeous Sag Harbor venue.

What did our critic think of ON YOUR FEET at The John W. Engeman Theatre?

What did our critic think of SOMETHING ROTTEN at Bayway Arts Center? With all the heaviness in the world nowadays, one thing to remember is that's it's OK to shut off the brain for an evening to indulge in true laugh-out-loud entertainment. Indeed, Studio Theatre's showing of Something Rotten, a Long Island premier, will help you do that in these crazy times. Running through July 24th at Studio's adorable East Islip venue, the Bayway Arts Center, this offering boasts an absolutely stellar cast.

What did our critic think of ANNA IN THE TROPICS at Bay Street Theatre? Sag Harbor's Bay Street Theatre certainly has another hit on their hands with their latest offering, the Pulitzer winning Anna in the Tropics. The stellar production, the second of their current season, runs through July 24th at the adorable East End venue. It was on Broadway from the Fall of 2003 to early 2004 and this showing is indeed not one to be missed.

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.