Melissa Giordano - Page 5

It is indeed the best time of year; Spring is in the air, Summer is around the corner. That means a bustling theatre scene is in full force.

You can feel the energy at the Hampton Theatre Company (HTC) as they mount their first musical. In their inspired thirty-four-year history, they have presented plays strictly. However, recent technical upgrades have provided them with the opportunity to present musicals. In a brave decision, they have wisely chosen to offer iconic Tony winner Man Of La Mancha. You're probably thinking, doesn't the Long Island venue have a rather intimate stage? They do. Do they deliver superbly? That is a resounding yes.

It is a real treat that The John W. Engeman Theatre is currently mounting A Gentleman's Guide To Love & Murder. The top-notch cast is remarkable leaving the audience in stitches. The hit show plays the beautiful Northport venue through April 28th, and it is sure to be a must-see this season.

The tale, set in the 1960s, takes place in the city of Venice. It centers on Guido Contini who is dreading his upcoming 40th birthday. We follow him as he is facing a midlife crisis that seems to be blocking artistic whims cornering him in a web of romantic complications; Both in real life and his mind. Arthur Kopit's book takes much insight from the viewer as they switch between reality and Guido's mind. Moreover, the music, by Maury Yeston, is rich and moving.

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.

Kicking off what is sure to be an excellent season, The BroadHollow Theatre Company offers a delightful incarnation of Damn Yankees. Running through February 24th, the Tony award-winning musical is excellently directed by BroadHollow's Jason P. Allyn and boasts an outstanding cast.

Continuing a stellar 49th season, Port Jefferson's Theatre Three offers a wonderful incarnation of Yasmina Reza's play Art. A Tony winner for Best Play in 1998, this production is strongly directed by Long Island theatre vet Linda May and boasts a wonderful cast of Theatre Three regulars.

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 productions of this show. While we know Buddy (along with a few of his friends) died young and tragically in a plane crash, Alan Janes has certainly created a joyous celebration of Buddy's life.

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 spectacular as ever. Jeffrey Sanzel, the Artistic Director of the Port Jefferson venue, directs the dazzling play running through December 29th.

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.

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 laughter in these wearisome times.

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.

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. Allyn. Indeed, this uplifting show, set to the fun music of ABBA, will leave you smiling and humming the score for days.

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 cast. Long Island is certainly lucky to have this production lead by Broadway vets Janet Dacal, Richard Todd Adams, and Carlos Lopez.

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.

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 superb cast. And though it is based on the famous 1983 movie, fans of the movie (like myself!) will notice several changes and will be pleasantly pleased in the stage incarnation.

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 boasting an excellent cast, this is based on the classic 1960 film. Book writer Howard Ashman pens (and writes the lyrics for) the theatre staple's heartfelt story and Alan Menken's music is a fun fusion of 1960s Rock & Roll, Doo-wop and Motown. You'll more than likely be familiar with the scores' popular tunes including the title song and 'Suddenly, Seymour'.

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 production boasts an absolutely brilliant cast as the adorable Long Island venue executes an innovative incarnation of the iconic Tim RiceAndrew Lloyd Webber tuner. Now I know it may seem productions of this show are a dime-a-dozen… but this particular production should really not be missed.

New York based artists Melody Rodriguez and Jake Ruhl have announced a Kickstarter campaign for Through the Wren, a new immersive theatre experience where 12 guests journey in and out of parallel world set in a mid-1840's Gothic Romance Fairytale.

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.