Melissa Giordano - Page 9

Respect: A Musical Journey Of Women - currently playing through March 25th at Port Jefferson's gorgeous Theatre Three - is truly a thought-provoking show taking the audience on a roller coaster of emotions. The musical, created by Dorothy Marcic, takes us on the journey of women - inspired by the women in her life - through generations of Top 40 music. As society has changed, the attitude and tone in music has changed and with this production, Dorothy has basically built the soundtrack of generations of women. Do we as women have further to go? Yes, but the progress that we see is really inspiring from the 'doting housewife' to influential civil rights activists to Presidents of essential organizations.

I am a longtime fan of Whoopi Goldberg with the Sister Act movies ranking as some of my all-time favorites. So, as you can imagine, I am thoroughly excited to again see the musical adaptation now playing at Long Island's Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC). This lively production, kicking off their 40th season, runs through March 25th at the Oakdale venue.

BroadHollow's latest offering, the multi Tony winning musical She Loves Me, boasts a superb ensemble cast that wonderfully delivers this sugary-sweet production with panache. Well, mostly sugary-sweet… there are some tense moments peppered throughout. Running through February 26th at their BayWay Theatre in East Islip (then continuing to their Elmont location), this incarnation is excellently directed by Bobby Kabat.

In another hit for Long Island's John W. Engeman Theatre, Tony nominee The Full Monty delivers a lively production like its Broadway predecessor. This wonderful incarnation, directed superbly by Engeman newbie KEITH ANDREWS, runs through March 5th at the gorgeous Northport venue. The tale centers on a group of steel workers who were laid-off from their job and we follow them trying to get back on their feet and overcome insecurities.

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.

It was indeed an emotional night at Long Island's SoLuna Studio annual holiday concert. As the Hauppauge venue turns more to their educational programming and Children's theatre - though not completely eliminating their main stage shows - owners Karen Braun and Megan Pietroforte took time with patrons to celebrate and reflect on their 5 years of wonderful theatre thus far.

The hustle and bustle of the season is in full swing and the - relatively - new Long Island theatre company, CK Productions, excellently delivers an enjoyable holiday production in Meredith Willson's classic Miracle On 34th Street. This musical incarnation runs through December 28th at their new location, Ronkonkoma's Richie Applebaum Theatre, with a wonderful, talented, and spirited cast.

Having a long run on Broadway from 2007 to 2013, it is safe to day that any incarnation of Mary Poppins will not disappoint even the most devoted fans. One thing is sure; this still remains one of the most popular tales to this day as confirmed by the enthusiastic, nearly sold out audience at the John W. Engeman Theatre in Northport. The iconic story's musical adaptation, now playing through January 1st at the gorgeous Long Island venue, features an exceptional and spirited cast.

The show is wonderful to begin with; that you can be sure. Theatre Three's 33rd annual production of the beloved Charles Dickens classic 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.

The latest offering from The Bay Street Theatre, Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, with an original script adapted for the Sag Harbor venue by Scott Eck and Joe Minutillo, will leave you unequivocally breathless. The cast is absolutely astounding delivering intense performances taking the audience on a true emotional roller coaster. Based on the classic novel, this thrilling production, part of Bay Street's LITERATURE LIVE! educational program (more about that below), runs through November 26th.

When you have a David Mamet play - in this case November billed as political satire - with a cartoon turkey on the cover of the playbill, then you know you are in for an evening full of laughter. This show, which premiered on Broadway in 2008, is being mounted by The Hampton Theatre Company at a perfect time given the tumultuous political time we're currently in. In other words, this production will make you laugh even more at politics.

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.

In seeing the Tony winning Sherman Edwards/Peter Stone musical 1776, we get an interesting account of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration Of Independence. It is actually uncanny - and kind of funny - how this story still resonates today; petty arguing amongst congress and how divided 'leaders' can be are emphasized in this production. Obviously we've come far since then but, at the same time, it seems not far at 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.

It is such a pleasure seeing a play that isn't overly preachy. It makes attending the show feel like a TV sitcom from the 50's or 60's where they concentrate on the material and the actors and their performances and the audience is actually being entertained. This is exactly the case with the Barebones Theatre Company's (BTC) adorable production of Wendy Wasserstein's The Sisters Rosensweig which concludes performances this coming weekend on August 28th at the intimate Northport venue.

Long Island's Bay Street Theatre is closing out their historic 25th season electrifyingly with a dazzling production of the iconic Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe musical My Fair Lady. Directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden, this incarnation is exquisitely reimagined and I am certain even the most devout fans will be delighted. Running through September 4th, I dare say this is the must-see of the season.

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.

The Gateway's exciting Long Island premiere of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert went off without a hitch this past weekend at The Patchogue Theatre. Running through August 6th, I really can't stress enough that this musical is incredibly enjoyable and the cast, directed by David Ruttura, is top-notch. There were some changes from the 2011 Broadway production, but your big, glittery heart will definitely be smiling as you leave the theatre.

Of the many productions that will come and go of the Tony award winning musical Hairspray, the incarnation at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center is incredibly enjoyable. Running through August 28th under the excellent direction of Long Island theatre vet Jordan Hue, the talented cast will leave you singing the Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman score for weeks. To add, the book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan will indeed stand the test of time as we progress towards full equality at every level.