Ashley Nicastro

BWW Review: GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

When Green Day's American Idiot arrived on Broadway in 2010, it received a mixed response. When I saw the original Broadway production, I thought the cast was glorious and found the Book, like everyone else, safe; an emotional roller coaster. Furthermore, you have the rocking score of Green Day's Grammy-winning album the musical is based on. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience seeing it on the Great White Way, and I am delighted Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) has added it to their current season.

BWW Review: ALL SHOOK UP at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre At CM Performing Arts Center

Long Island's Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center does it again with a rousing production of All Shook Up. Excellently directed and choreographed by CM vet Ashley Nicastro, the show runs through February 1st at the delightful Oakdale venue. Indeed, you'll leave the theater all shook up from this fun show.

Casting Announced For AMERICAN IDIOT At CM Performing Arts Center

The CM Performing Arts Center may have just kicked off their 46th Season with ALL SHOOK UP that opened this past weekend, but rehearsals are already underway for their follow up production - GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT.

BWW Review: A Christmas Story at CMPAC is “A Major Award”

BWW Review: SWING! at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre At CM Performing Arts Center

Now playing at the adorable Noel S. Ruiz Theatre through September 28th, the lush show features a superb ensemble cast each of whom gets to shine. They're young, but they seem to 'get' this type of music, so devotees of this type of this style need not worry. Some of the iconic artists featured in the fun score are Duke Ellington, Casey MacGill, and Johnny Mercer. And, you're sure to recognize some of the classic song including a?oeIt Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) and a?oeBoogie Woogie Bugle Boya??

BWW Review: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre At CM Performing Arts Center

The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center, Nice Work If You Can Get It, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Joe DePietro, Patrick Grossman, Matthew W. Surico, Alison Weinberger, Ashley Nicastro, Amanda Wenchel, Nicolette Carosi, Ronald Green III, Steven Cottonaro, Bailey Whitney, Andrew J Beck, Emily Edwards, Briggs G. Houston, Barry Johnson, Emily Nadler, Adriana Michelle Scheer, Jeff Pangburn, Linda Pentz, David DiMarzo, John Mazzarella, Steven Press, Luke Ferrari, Mike Shapiro, Christian Kalinowski, Katie Perpall, Morgan Zweibel, Maggie Overbaugh, Jennifer Trezza, Juliana Jagielo, Katie Johnson, Megan Fives, Kristi Kahen, Megan Monaghan, and Katy Snair

Casting Announced For CMPAC's NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT

CMPAC announces the Cast of our Season 44 Closing Show: CMPAC Presents: Nice Work at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre, running July 13 - August 10.

BWW Review: NEWSIES at CM Performing Arts Center

Over the years, CM Performing Arts Center has continued to impress Long Island audiences with top-notch production value, talented casts, and crowd pleasing seasons of musicals. Their latest show on the marquee, Disney's "Newsies," is no exception. 

Photo Flash: First Look at CM Performing Arts Center's Production of NEWSIES

CM Performing Arts Center Proudly Presents: Disney's Newsies, running May 18th - June 8th in The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre. Featuring one of the largest casts of triple threats from across Long Island that the CMPAC has seen in years, this show is not one to be missed.

CM Performing Arts Center Announces Casting For JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT And Disney's NEWSIES

The CM Performing Arts Center has just entered the middle of their run of the ABBA Smash Hit Musical - MAMMA MIA! While they're enjoying partying it up in Greece, rehearsals have started for their next two upcoming Main Stage productions which will transport patrons from Greece to Ancient Egypt with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and then turn-of-the-Century New York City with Disney's Newsies.

BWW Review: CM Performing Art Center presents MAMMA MIA! at the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

You will not be disappointed when you see a production of the worldwide hit Mamma Mia!. As the current offering from the Noel S. Ruiz Theater at CM Performing Arts Center, this show boasts a remarkable cast. Running through March 9th at the Oakdale venue, Patrick Grossman directs the superb production featuring our favorites from pop group ABBA.

BWW Review: CM Performing Arts Center Production of PIPPIN Is "On the Right Track"!

The Noel S. Ruiz Theater at CMPAC does it again with their production of Pippin. Pippin was a wise choice to wrap-up CMPAC's 43rd season. Inspired by the real-life individuals of the early Middle Ages, Charlemagne and his hunchbacked son Pippin, the show tells the fictionalized story of the young prince in search for meaning and significance in his life.

Photo Flash: First Look At CM Performing Arts Center Presents: PIPPIN At The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

Marrying the musical genius of Stephen Schwartz and the masterful energy of Bob Fosse, PIPPIN transports the audience through time and space as we follow a mysterious traveling carnival, led by a tantalizing Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin. Pippin, a young prince, is on a quest to derive meaning and purpose out of his self-de­scribed extraordinary life. Intrigue and plots to bring disaster ensue as Pippin is led closer and closer to our Grand Finale by the ever alluring Leading Player. Featuring humor, romance, illusion, fantasy, battles, and most of all magic, PIPPIN will leave you with a Finale they won't soon forget.

BWW Review: 'We Think You're Gonna Like It Here' - CM Performing Arts Center's ANNIE

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 and some of the best talent on the island - this production is nothing less than you would expect from this company. Although there are multiple other companies also producing 'Annie' this season I must say this would be quite difficult to top.

BWW Review: CM Performing Arts Center presents PHANTOM at the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

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 Phantom, the man, is. Running through November 3rd, Ashley Nicastro directs and choreographs this boffo incarnation.

Photo Flash: First Look at PHANTOM At The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

The Tony Award Winners of NINE The Musical take on the Gaston Leroux novel in an intriguing way that has dazzled audiences worldwide. Immerse yourself in this bloody melodrama about the frightening caped and masked ˜phantom' living in the depths of The Paris Opera.

BWW Review: CM Performing Arts Center presents THE RAT PACK LOUNGE at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

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 the production as I was researching it. However... Sammy Davis, Jr., Ol' Blue Eyes, and Dean Martin? Pass me a martini because I am sold.

BWW Review: The Long Island Premiere of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY At The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

The incarnation of Bullets Over Broadway, The Musical at Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC), is certainly an enjoyable one. Strongly directed by CMPAC Artistic Director Patrick Grossman, the Long Island premiere, running through August 11th, spectacularly closes out the venue's thrilling 42nd season. And let me tell you this cast is absolutely wonderful.

BWW Review: ON THE TOWN at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

What would you do if you met someone who had never seen a musical before? They have no concept of what goes into it - the dance breaks, the big ensemble numbers, the balance of humor and pathos. The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre's production 'On the Town' would be the perfect production to display what it means to be a musical. Although it teeters on the cliche at times, the production value and the performances make up for the sometimes flawed piece.

BWW Review: CRY-BABY at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre

In a Grease-meets-Romeo & Juliet type of tale, the Tony nominated musical Cry-Baby brings loads of laughs. The Long Island premiere - running through May 12th at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) - is superbly directed by Patrick Grossman - the Artistic Director of the Oakdale venue - and boasts an extraordinary cast. I've long admired the top notch comedic talent we have here on Long Island and the artists in this production certainly deliver sidesplitting performances.