PATCHOGUE: THE MUSICAL Comes to PTPA, 6/4; GRONEY AND FRIENDS Set for 'Live in the Lobby' Series, 6/5

The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts' (PTPA) is thrilled to feature local talent Live in the Lobby two nights in one week.

On Wednesday, June 4 at 7:30 PM The New Musicals Project presents PATCHOGUE: THE MUSICAL, a community-inspired theatre piece that brings together the talents of local musical performers, composers, and writers. The intention is to musically reflect the diversity of feelings, thoughts, and ideas that thrive in Patchogue. Our local creative community of musical artists will manifest their own original songs for this show--about life and experiences in Patchogue.

The following evening, June 5, at 7:30 PM, the PTPA's critically acclaimed Live in the Lobby Concert Series presents its season nine finale, "GRONEY AND FRIENDS," a celebration of the 15 years Tom Gronenthal has been playing guitar, evolving as an artist and contributing to the local music scene. This evening will showcase the music he has written over the years and features friends, fellow musicians and band members who have contributed to his growth and accompanied him on his journey.

Patchogue: The Musical presented by The New Musicals Project
Wednesday, June 4 at 7:30 PM
Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts Lobby, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue, NY 11772
Tickets: $10 and includes a beverage at the bar; tickets are available at the door or call 631-207-1313 to reserve ticket. Lobby performances are a combination of seating and standing room; SEATING IS LIMITED. Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Live in the Lobby Season Nine Finale: Tom Groney and Friends
Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 PM
Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts Lobby, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue, NY 11772
Tickets: $10 and includes a beverage at the bar; tickets are available at the door or call 631-207-1313 to reserve ticket. Lobby performances are a combination of seating and standing room; SEATING IS LIMITED. Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Patchogue: The Musical features performances by Soundswell, Andrew Fortier & Company, Howie Seal, Leah Kay, Hank Stone, musical theatre luminaries Lori Anne Casdia, Sandro Scenga, Geri Lynn Greco, and Carl Ferrara, a new musical scene by Howard & Linda Beckerman, James ("Dr. Love") Banks, and surprise appearances by other inspiring Patchogue connections!

The New Musicals Project at the Patchogue Theatre is a joint venture of two not-for-profit arts organizations: The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts & Worldwide Voices. The New Musicals Project is the only Long Island repertory company whose primary mission is to develop and produce original musical plays. The company presents a variety of musical theatre genres, including children's musicals and language-teaching musicals as well as Broadway-style musicals for general audiences. www.heartworks.com/musicals

Howard and Linda Beckerman, founders of both The New Musicals Project and Worldwide Voices, have created and produced musical programs for New York theaters as well as for international publishers and media companies for over twenty years. The collaboration between the Patchogue Theatre and Worldwide Voices began in 2011, and will continue with productions and workshops in the Lobby as well as with performances on the PTPA main stage. www.worldwidevoices.org

Tom, known to many as "Groney," was born in Bayport, the youngest of 8 children. Around the age of 20, Tom acquired his first guitar from his sister Linda, and found a much needed outlet. For the next 6 weeks, his routine was, "work, play guitar, sleep." Never having had taken a lesson, Tom ventured out to the Patchogue music scene, guitar in hand, for some fun and maybe a beer, but mostly for a spot to play and grow as a musician amongst fellow musicians. What he found began the snowball of his musical career.

From days and nights spent playing at Fadeley's Deli-Pub, Tom began his first band, "Movement" in 2001 with Charlie Mirro, Jim Fontana and Kevin O'Leary. Other members of Movement from 2001- 2009 included Steve Greco and Mike O'Rourke. Tom wrote many songs for Movement, growing with them as an artist and guitarist. Movement performed Live in the Lobby during Season One in 2006. In 2008, Tom got together with Andy Sansone and Nick Garbarini and began The Forensics (4NZX), his most influential band to date, mixing funk, punk and electronic music. This group also had a featured spot in The Lobby before a packed house.

Other memorable "Groney in the Lobby" performances have featured short sets of Tom alone with an acoustic guitar showcasing his beautiful songs and skill as a guitarist.

Additional projects have included the groups "Radio 94" and "Agent Danger" and other specific shows that found Tom performing full albums by Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Cake, all of which He considers "heavy influences" that molded him as a musician.

Nowadays, Tom plays guitar in a jazz infused, hypnotic jam band called "Syncrosanct" with Nick Garbarini, Matt O'Mara, Dan Robbins, Kyle Fitzpatrick and special guests. He meets up with members from Movement, The Forensics and Agent Danger from time to time for shows and is by all counts one of the hardest working musicians on Long Island.

Live in the Lobby 2014 Line Up
June 4 - *Special Wednesday Performance - The New Musicals Project Presents Patchogue: The Musical
June 5 - Season 9 Finale with Tom Groney & Friends
August 9 - *Special FREE Saturday Performance at 7:00 PM - Live in the Lobby at the Shorefront Park Bandshell featuring Chris Van Cott, Jessie Haynes, and Claudia Jacobs. Shorefront Park, Smith Street between Rider and Bay Avenues in Patchogue
September 18 - Elton in the Lobby - Annual Fundraiser in Support of Live in the Lobby featuring local musicians celebrating the music of Elton John
October 23 - Opening Night for Live in the Lobby Season Ten - TBA
November 13 - Rupert Wates Trio and Toby Tobias Ensemble

Live in the Lobby Volume 1 CDs are available at the Patchogue Theatre and the Volume 1 and Volume 2 recordings are available for download at ParadiddleRecords.com.

ABOUT LIVE IN THE LOBBY - Now in its ninth season, Live in the Lobby has cemented its reputation for supporting, nurturing and encouraging original music from Long Island. Live in the Lobby provides a "listening" setting for all ages, as opposed to the bars and restaurants where so many musicians usually perform and where "cover bands" are often preferred. This "venue within a venue" is an alternative to the 1200 seat Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts' main auditorium and a chance to see the best of today's Local Original Music up close and personal. For more information: 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.com, or visit us at 71 E. Main St., Patchogue, NY.

Photo Credit: Walter Petrule

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