Feature: Check Out the Studio Theater in Lindenhurst

If you have not heard about The Studio Theater in Lindenhurst, NY, then you must check it out; it truly is a hidden gem. Established in the 1950's, the Studio Theater has been home to countless theater productions and has housed many great actors including: Golden Globe Winner and Two-Time Tony Award winner Brian Dennehy and Academy Award nominee Lorraine Bracco. The Studio Theater used to be affiliated with the BroadHollow theater in Elmont due to both theaters sharing the same owner, Bob O'Neill. Currently the theater is co-owned by David Dubin and Mike Vellecca, who both have been creating wonderful productions for Long Island audiences.

I recently had the privilege of seeing the Studio Theater's production of 'night Mother, Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize winning play. Dubin directed a very delicate intricate production with first rate performances by Maryellen Molfetta and Sheila Sheffield. 'night Mother tells the story of Jessie who informs her mother, Thelma, that she is going to kill herself before the night ends. It is now up to Thelma to attempt to convince her daughter that life is worth living. Being that this play is the original "13 Reasons Why", it is not a spoiler to reveal that Jessie does take her life by the play's end. What keeps you at the edge of your seat is discovering why there is no hope for Jessie, which is revealed through Norman's brilliant dialogue between the hopeless Jessie and desperate Thelma. Molfetta was haunting as Jessie. Sheffield gave a true tour de force performance as Thelma. I can still hear her blood curdling scream. "JESSSSSIIEEE!!!!"; I still have chills. Ms. Sheffield and Ms. Molfetta deserve every possible accolade for these performances. As does Dubin for his aforementioned brilliant direction. In addition to directing two powerhouse performances, Dubin collaborated with set designer Joe Rubino, who evoked Dubin's idea of a very homely domestic set which makes the audience feel has if they have been invited over for dinner and are now witnessing the family drama unfolding before their very eyes. The true indomitable force on the stage was the giant clock that adorned the Cates's wall above the fireplace. The audience literally watches the clock tick down until the inevitable devastating moment when Jessie takes her life. Dubin's brilliant intricate direction involving the clock shows how the play takes place in real time and evokes Norman's vision of the last 90 minutes of Jessie's life. From the giant ticking clock that echoed the countdown clock from "24" to highlighting the Dramatists' copy of Marsha Norman's 'night Mother on the theater's lovely library, which can be found in the lobby café; The production was nothing but shear brilliance.

'night, Mother is just one example of the many brilliant productions that have been put on by the Studio Theater. Most recently, the theater was home to top Long Island Drag Queen Aunt Barbara performing a parody of the cult film Mommie Dearest. Starting on July 7, the Studio Theater will be presenting the first production of Acts of Love by Joe Beck, a new play about the acting dynasty consisting of Brian, Ed & Sue Anne Dennehy. Other future projects include: Twilight of the Golds by Jonathan Tollins, Quartermaine's Terms by Simon Gray, Christopher Durang's Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, and Woody Allen's Don't Drink the Water. Dubin also hopes to be hosting a holiday musical event in December. In addition to providing their audience with very affordable tickets ($25), the theater also has a dinner and show package affiliated with Goccio D'oro Ristorante. You can check out this fantastic deal here.

Please check out the Studio Theater in Lindenhurst; I assure you, you won't regret it.

https://www.studiotheatreli.com

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