Review: WE WILL ROCK YOU at Smithtown Center For The Performing Arts

While watching and enjoying "We Will Rock You," the latest hit musical at the Smithtown Center For The Performing Arts, you tend to wonder why the show's stars who belt out Queen's greatest hits aren't on Broadway. Gifted performers Andrew Murano and Danielle Nigro delight audiences as they breeze through the rock and roll score and lead a talented troop of young artists to stardom.

"We Will Rock You' is a long running audience favorite that began in London's West End. The show has never been on Broadway but there are multiple productions springing up all over the world. The show features tuneful gems from the Queen music catalog that are cleverly planted into an original story by book writer Ben Elton. The jukebox musical includes all of your favorite songs including "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Another One Bites The Dust," "We Are The Champions," and of course "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The audience is transported into the zany future where instruments are forbidden and rock music is unknown. The Globalsoft Corporation controls the planet and a killer queen is suspicious of a bright star leading a group of music hungry rebellious Bohemians to hidden instruments. Independent thinker Galileo (Mr. Murano) wants to break free from the planet's brainwashing yet is captured along with a young goth woman named Scaramouche (Miss Nigro) who also deviates from the norm. Together they escape, fall in love, bond with a hip group of bohemians, and ultimately revive music for the entire planet.

Mr. Murano is an excellent Galileo. The audience laps up his very funny and highly entertaining leading performance in every way. His vocals are outstanding and creates a charming ambitious character we root for all night long. Miss Nigro holds her own as the female lead and commands the Smithtown stage. Together they perform this fantasy with enormous energy and tremendous pride.

Brianne Boyd is a killer queen not be reckoned with. Her powerful performance even scares second in command Khashoggi played by a great Dylan Bivings. Fellow bohemians Brit and Oz, played by Mark Maurice and Courtney Braun, are a terrific pair of rockers who are both in favor of bringing music back to the world.

The swinging ensemble doubles as the programmed Ga Ga Kids and the wild Bohemians. Notable pouncing players include David Reyes, Maria Simeone, Jamila Gordon, and Matt Healy. Director Tim Golebiewski and choreographer M.E. Junge created a rousing rock musical for everyone on this side of the Atlantic to enjoy. The fine musicians and pit singers all contribute to the Queen extravaganza's success.

"We Will Rock You" is great fun with all the trimmings. If the musical ever does come to Broadway, we hope the featured talent is just as wonderful as the hardworking Smithtown cast. Perhaps the brilliant Mr. Murano will also be available to reprise his over the top performance as well.

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Music & Lyrics by Queen, Story & Script by Ben Elton, Original Vocal Score by Mike Dixon, Brian May and Roger Taylor, Original Orchestrations by Steve Sidwell, Director/Projections & Scenic Design by Tim Golebiewski, Choreography by M.E. Junge, Musical Director Melissa Coyle, Lighting Design Chris Creevy, Costume Design Ronald Green III, Sound Design Carlos Dias, Set Construction Russ Bakunas/Clark Serv./Mike Mucciolo, Stage Manager Meg Rosenberg, and Properties Cassiel Fawcett.

Starring: Andrew Murano, Danielle Nigro, Brianne Boyd, Dylan Bivings, Dennis Creighton, Mark Maurice, Courtney Braun, Liz Jeffrey, Londel Collier, Nicolette Minella, Christian Arma, Lauren Coccaro, Jamila Gordon, Matt Healy, Cassie Holiday, David Reyes, Evan Roth, Jillian Sawyer and Maria Simeone.

Musicians: Melissa Coyle, Craig Coyle, Chad Goodstein, Mike Lawshé, Rob Curry, and Jim Waddell

For more information and tickets please call: 631-724-3700 or visit: www.smithtownpac.org. Tickets on sale July 7-August 19th.

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