Long Island Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 8

BWW Review: BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at the Engeman
by Melissa Giordano - January 24, 2019

Northport's exquisite John W. Engeman Theatre does it again with a boffo incarnation of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story. Running through March 3rd at the Long Island venue, the musical is strongly directed by Keith Andrews and boasts an absolutely stellar cast many of whom have been in previous produc...

BWW Review: SPRING AWAKENING at The Argyle Theatre Takes Risks and Raises Questions
by Jaime Zahl - January 23, 2019

Modern audiences were given the opportunity to see the powerful messages of Wedekind's play - set in the late 19th century - juxtaposed with a manic, brilliant rock score by Duncan Sheik and equally impactful lyrics and a book by Steven Slater to create the recipient of 2007's Tony Award for Best Mu...

BWW Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at The Gateway
by Jaime Zahl - January 07, 2019

The Gateway conjured pure holiday magic with their recent production of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast,' hosted by The Patchogue Theatre. ...

BWW Review: 'We Think You're Gonna Like It Here' - CM Performing Arts Center's ANNIE
by Jaime Zahl - December 03, 2018

If you're looking to enjoy some holiday cheer in the comfort of a toasty theater look no further than the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center's production of the family favorite 'Annie.' Lavish sets by the masterful Patrick Grossman, a spacious house with a majority of plush red seats ...

BWW Review: NEXT TO NORMAL Breaks Stigmas at Cultural Arts Playhouse
by Jaime Zahl - December 03, 2018

Mental illness continues to have a stigma in this country and I applaud the Cultural Arts Playhouse for taking on a musical with such difficult and timely subject material. The passion this cast has for their production is evident through their dedication to diving head first into the emotional narr...

BWW Review: Theatre Three's annual showing of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Melissa Giordano - November 20, 2018

The show is wonderful to begin with; there is no doubt about that. Theatre Three's 35th annual production of the iconic Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol has certainly become a beautiful tradition on Long Island. Even with slight changes throughout the years, this ageless production is as spect...

BWW Review: ELF THE MUSICAL at The John W. Engeman Theater At Northport
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - November 19, 2018

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, we're telling you why, Buddy the Elf is coming to town! In fact, he just opened an effervescent production of 'Elf The Musical' at the John Engeman Theater in Northport....

BWW Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at The Argyle Theatre
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - November 19, 2018

Ring them bells! Director Evan Pappas' lavish production of 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame' is the newest spectacle at The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village and crowds are flocking to the timeless tale based on the Victor Hugo novel. A youthful troop of multitalented professionals tell the familiar st...

BWW Review: Bay Street's THE GREAT GATSBY
by Melissa Giordano - November 14, 2018

This year the Sag Harbor venue has mounted a superb showing of the classic jazz era play The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald adapted for the stage by Simon Levy....

BWW Review: A COMEDY OF TENORS presented by The Hampton Theatre Company
by Melissa Giordano - November 01, 2018

Kicking off their incredible 34th season, The Hampton Theatre Company (HTC) offers Ken Ludwig's hysterical play A Comedy Of Tenors. This comedy farce is actually a sequel to Mr. Ludwig's Tony nominated play Lend Me A Tenor and the wonderful cast at HTC certainly delivers. And we indeed need some lau...

BWW Review: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo 'Shine' at Tilles Center at LIU Post
by Nicholas Pontolillo - October 25, 2018

As all Long Islanders know, Billy Joel IS the King of Long Island. Occupying the throne as Queen is Pat Benatar. Sorry Mariah, but as it was experienced on October 12, 2018 at the Tilles Center, Benatar hit the stage with her best shot, fired away and knocked all competition for the title. I don't u...

BWW Review: CM Performing Arts Center presents PHANTOM at the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre
by Melissa Giordano - October 18, 2018

In a superb offering, Oakdale's CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) presents Phantom at the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre. Not to be mistaken for the famous Andrew Lloyd Weber musical Phantom Of The Opera, this is a different take - though based on the same novel - that gives us more insight into who the Phant...

BWW Review: BroadHollow's MAMMA MIA!
by Melissa Giordano - October 14, 2018

The latest offering from Long Island's BroadHollow Theatre Company is a delightful production of the worldwide blockbuster hit Mamma Mia! kicking off a sure to be dazling Fall/Winter season. Running through October 21st at East Islip's BayWay , this incarnation is excellently directed by Jason P. Al...

BWW Review: BOEING BOEING at Merrick Theatre & Center For The Arts
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - October 11, 2018

Dating three stewardesses at the same time seemed like a good idea yet in the Merrick Theatre's crowd pleasing production of 'Boeing Boeing,' all hell breaks loose when flights get cancelled and plane schedules change! (We're sure you can relate!)...

BWW Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY at Theatre Three
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - September 19, 2018

Leave it to Theatre Three in Port Jefferson to turn a snoozer on Broadway into a hit musical comedy on Long Island. Their latest production is 'The Addams Family' and it is funny, fabulous and pure nostalgia! Gomez, Morticia, and all of your favorite creepy crawlies are scaring up Port Jeff and gett...

BWW Review: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at The Argyle Theatre
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - September 19, 2018

Fly to the Argyle Theatre as fast as you can! Their latest production of 'Peter and the Starcatcher' is the best show on Long Island these days. With a clever book by Rick Elice, expert direction by Amanda Connors, and a troop of the hardest working actors on a local stage, the Argyle's first play w...

BWW Review: MAN OF LA MANCHA at the John W. Engeman Theatre lead by Janet Dacal, Richard Todd Adams, and Carlos Lopez
by Melissa Giordano - September 19, 2018

Northport's gorgeous John W. Engeman Theatre does it again with a stellar showing of theatre staple Man Of La Mancha, the second show of their dazzling 12th Season. This incarnation of the Tony winner, running through October 28th, is excellently directed by Peter Flynn and boasts an extraordinary c...

BWW Review: CM Performing Arts Center presents THE RAT PACK LOUNGE at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre
by Melissa Giordano - September 13, 2018

Admittedly, when Long Island's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre announced they were going to have a run of the musical The Rat Pack Lounge, I was a little bewildered. The show hasn't been on Broadway, this is the first time it is being done in New York, and, honestly, there wasn't much overall information about...

BWW Review: FUN HOME Breaks Boundaries and Touches Hearts at Smithtown Performing Arts Center
by Jaime Zahl - September 12, 2018

Some shows move you. Some shows run a chill up your spine. Some shows leave makeup and tears streaming down your face. This was my experience sitting in the intimate Circle in the Square Theatre, where 'Fun Home' premiered on Broadway in 2015 after an Off-Broadway run in 2013. More than three years ...

BWW Review: The Gateway's FLASHDANCE, THE MUSICAL
by Melissa Giordano - September 06, 2018

The Gateway theatre company's thrilling production of Flashdance, The Musical, is truly an electric way to end their busy Summer season. The sensational regional premiere, running through September 15th at the Patchogue Theatre, is excellently directed by Keith Andrews and boasts an absolutely super...

BWW Review: BroadHollow Theatre Company's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Melissa Giordano - August 15, 2018

Long Island's BroadHollow Theatre Company continues a terrific Summer season with a superb production of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors. This incarnation runs at East Islip's BayWay Theatre through August 26 continuing at their Elmont location beginning September 1st. Directed by Jason Allyn and...

BWW Review: CABARET at The Gateway Performing Arts Center Of Suffolk County
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - August 14, 2018

'Cabaret,' the 1966 Broadway hit that made Joel Grey a star, is alive and well at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport. With a shocking book by Joe Masteroff and a tuneful score by 'Chicago's' John Kander and the late Fred Ebb, 'Cabaret' was alarming when it first premiered and gained momentum in recen...

BWW Review: Bay Street Theater's Production Of EVITA
by Melissa Giordano - August 08, 2018

The Bay Street Theater of Sag Harbor closes out their dazzling 27th Mainstage Season with a thrilling production of the Tony winning musical Evita under the clever direction of Will Pomerantz who also serves as Bay Street's Associate Artistic Director. Now running through September 2nd, this product...

BWW Review: RAUNCHY LITTLE MUSICAL at Landmark On Main Street
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - July 26, 2018

...

BWW Review: WE WILL ROCK YOU at Smithtown Center For The Performing Arts
by Anthony Hazzard & Scott Stolzenberg - July 25, 2018

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 t...