Dondi Rollins Jr

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.

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.

Cry-Baby The Musical makes its Long Island Premiere tonight at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre, running through May 12th.

CRY-BABY THE MUSICAL will run April 14 - May 12 at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center. For Tickets, call the Box Office at 631-218-2810 or visit www.CMPAC.com

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature Dreamgirls, The Odd Couple, The Book of Mormon, and more!

Opening their 41st season in tremendous style, the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center offers a superb production of the Tony winning musical Dreamgirls. Running through October 1st at the Oakdale venue, this incarnation boasts a stupendous cast who are absolute naturals in their respective roles. Excellently directed by CM Artistic Director Patrick Grossman (who also serves as Choreographer and Set Designer), the show is certainly a must see for the fall season.

I am a longtime fan of Whoopi Goldberg with the Sister Act movies ranking as some of my all-time favorites. So, as you can imagine, I am thoroughly excited to again see the musical adaptation now playing at Long Island's Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC). This lively production, kicking off their 40th season, runs through March 25th at the Oakdale venue.

Opening Season 40 and kicking off it's Celebration of 30 Years of Live Theatre on Long Island, CM Performing Arts Presents: Sister Act the Musical at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre, running February 25 - March 25!

Memphis The Musical plays two more shows, tomorrow and Saturday, February 3 and 4, at the The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center of Oakdale, Long Island. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Long Island theatre community can seriously do no wrong when it comes to presenting multi Tony award winner Memphis, The Musical. Per usual when I see a production at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center, I am truly inspired by the talent of the cast and creative team. This wonderful incarnation, directed excellently by Artistic Director Patrick Grossman, runs at the Oakdale venue through February 4th kicking off their 30th anniversary. The cast, the passion, the creative team... everything is top-notch.

Of the many productions that will come and go of the Tony award winning musical Hairspray, the incarnation at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center is incredibly enjoyable. Running through August 28th under the excellent direction of Long Island theatre vet Jordan Hue, the talented cast will leave you singing the Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman score for weeks. To add, the book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan will indeed stand the test of time as we progress towards full equality at every level.

From the moment the curtain for 'Hairspray" rises, you can tell you're in for a great time. Running through March 11th at CM PAC of Oakdale, you'll find this Tony-award winning show has a great story (by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan), great music (by Shaiman and Wittman), and a wonderfully talented cast directed by Patrick Grossman.