WEST SIDE STORY, SPAMALOT Highlight 62nd Season At The Gateway

The Gateway's 2011 season is filled with award-winning musicals from the golden age of Broadway to the present era.

The six show season runs from May 11-Sept. 11 at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport and The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts in Patchogue, N.Y., and includes "West Side Story," "'S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical," "Legally Blonde: The Musical," "Monty Python's Spamalot," "Sunset Boulevard" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

The 62nd season also marks the inaugural year that Gateway Productions at the Gateway Playhouse and The Patchogue Theatre will be run by The Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County, a non-profit corporation. Alongside corporate, government and private supporters, this new company will enable The Gateway to keep the arts accessible for future generations and to maintain a legacy which has included artists such as David Carradine, Robert Duvall and Gene Hackman.

The first show of the season, the Tony Award winning "West Side Story," transports William Shakespeare's classic love story, "Romeo and Juliet," into the world of 1950s New York City gang warfare. Original choreography by Jerome Robbins compliments a score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Steven Sondheim in this blend of fantasy and realism, running May 11-28 in Bellport, directed by Carlos Encinias. Musical Direction, Andrew Austin.

Next, the songwriting skills of George and Ira are on display in the all singing, all dancing "'S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical." Inspired by stories of young love, this musical revue by Ray Roderick transports audiences from the 1920s to the present day and includes such classics as "Someone to Watch Over Me," "I've Got Rhythm" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off." The Gershwin celebration is directed by Roderick, and choreographed by Vince Pesce with, musical direction by Nate Perry. It runs from June 1-18 in Bellport.

Then, the modern tale of a carefree California girl with the perfect GPA comes to life in "Legally Blonde: The Musical." Based on the 2001 MGM film starring Reese Witherspoon and nominated for seven Tony Awards, this romantic comedy is the story of Elle Woods, a young woman who discovers that she has more to offer the world than just her looks and an empty ring finger. Directed and Choreographed by Tom Kosis, Musical Direction, Justin Fischer. Live in Bellport from June 22-July 9.

Fourth, the "Knights who say 'Ni'" ride into Patchogue for the Long Island premiere of "Monty Python's Spamalot," the winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical. Directed by Keith Andrews with musical direction by Jeff Hoffman, this screwball comedy pokes fun at everything from chivalry to the musical theater form itself, from July 13-30 at The Patchogue Theatre.

Next is "Sunset Boulevard," a flashback to the glamour days of Hollywood. Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary music underscores a story of revenge when a secluded silent screen legend entertains a young screenwriter who brings her the promise of renewed stardom. Directed and Choreographed by Larry Raben, with musical direction by Jeffrey Buchsbaum, this seven-time Tony Award winner is onstage in Bellport from Aug. 3-20.

The season comes full circle with the Tony Award-winning Sondheim musical, "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." This romantic thriller folds beautiful melodies, haunting lyrics and dark humor into the London fog from Aug. 24-Sept. 11 in Bellport. Director: Dom Ruggiero, Musical Direction, Jeff Hoffman.

The Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County seeks to provide theatre of the highest caliber to audiences within the Long Island region and beyond. It continues the tradition established by the Gateway Playhouse over its past 62 years of service and remains Long Island's longest running professional theatre.

For more information, performance times and other inquires call (631) 286-1133 or 1-888-4TIXNOW, or visit www.gatewayplayhouse.org.

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