Randall Parsons News

It is an exciting feeling when you discover something new about something you were already familiar with. Sometimes this happens when you read a favorite book for a second time, or learn a bit of history behind a favorite spot. But sometimes, the planets align and fresh light shines on a classic story breathing new life into it and revealing something brilliant. This is the case with the latest production at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Kate Hamill, which takes the classic Jane Austen novel, turns it a bit on its ear, yet retains the core elements of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's unlikely love that have stood the

On February 15, Port Jefferson's Theatre Three premiered their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and it couldn't have opened at a better time. We are currently living in very trying times, and this production is the right remedy that will definitely get your spirits up.

Jam on the brakes and put the car in park! Long Island powerhouse Phyllis March is giving one of the best performances of her brilliant theatrical career in Theatre Three's splendid production of Alfred Uhry's 'Driving Miss Daisy.' Ms. March, along with her devoted driver Hoke, played by the suave Antoine Jones, take you on the ride of a lifetime exploring bold companionship, racial undertones, and the inevitable growing older in the 1988 Pulitzer Prize winning play.

Following a record number of nominations and votes, winners have been announced for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by TodayTix!! The nominees were set, audiences voted, and now we get to recognize local theatres and performers for their outstanding achievement!

There's just one final week to submit votes for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Vote today to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

We're heading into the final week of voting for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Vote today to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The people have spoken nominations are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

There's just a few weeks left to make your voice heard and submit your votes for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The people have spoken nominations are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

It's December! Voting is now underway for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatres and performers are recognized. Check out the first set of stats below.

The show is wonderful to begin with; there is no doubt about that. Theatre Three's 36th 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 celebrating its 50th Season, directs the dazzling play running through December 28th.

At it's core, WHAT THE JEWS BELIEVE is a poignant story about the loss of faith and the journey to find it. Moreover, it is about life. The joys, sadness, fears, and many of the overwhelming number of questions that come with it. To his credit, playwright, Mark Harelik, goes to great lengths to pose a plethora of questions most of have, or will have to deal with. It is both notable and admirable that he does so without providing answers. About the choices we make as well as their consequences and impact. Harelik encourages us to think but never tells us how, what, or why we should do so.

“This is the moment …” The epic battle between good and evil is fought in Jekyll & Hyde, bringing new life to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story. A whirlwind odyssey pitting man against himself is set into motion when the brilliant Dr. Jekyll's medical experiment backfires, giving life to Edward Hyde, his evil alter ego. Featuring the hit songs “This is the Moment” and “Someone Like You,” Jekyll & Hyde is an evening of theatre you will never forget. Please Note: Contains adult themes and situations.

Directed by Gregg Edelman, this production features Carla Duren (Colleen Haran), Carson Elrod (Glen Geer), Penny Fuller (Lucinda Royal Scott), Samantha Hill (Summer Oliver), Dee Hoty (Joan Stern), and Count Stoval (Hal Polick). As they present the one-act plays, we can clearly see that, as their resumes suggest, these are skilled and talented performers. Unfortunately, with the exception of the character of Lucinda, the material does not provide the cast much opportunity to share that with us. The characters in and of themselves, are thinly developed. We don't have a chance to know them at more than a surface level nor to care.

THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? Is a quick paced juxtaposition of humor within rage, anger, and conflict all wrapped up in the trappings of civility. It forces us to look between the blurred lines between love / sex / emotions; connections / physical / emotional; normative behavior - the "supposed to" / perversion. It suggests that we move beyond simply "getting by" and focus on "what really matters"

When Theatre Three announced that William Gibson's The Miracle Worker was on the docket for this season, I knew it was going to be outstanding. The well-known tale is about Helen Keller, a deaf, blind, and mute child and her teacher Annie Sullivan. If you haven't read it, you may be familiar with the Patty Duke/Ann Bancroft movie. It shows a small part of how Helen was as a child; spoiled, pitied, and wild. Noticing Helen's potential, Annie plans to teach Helen a host of things like decorum and language. It is her hope that her tutelage will guide Helen to be independent.

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.

The Broward Stage Door Theatre is slowly but steadily growing into its new Lauderhill home. The Producers is a show that can challenge any major regional theatre with its performance and technical demands. The Stage Door has taken on said challenge with grace. Throughout the show's month-long run, audiences have laughed at the show's timeless Mel Brooks humor and were moved by some high-quality performances.

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.

Mel Brooks' musical comedy The Producers won a record-setting 12 Tonys in 2001, including Best Musical - the most in the awards' history. It also set the standard for outrageous, in-your-face, politically incorrect humor. Stage Door Theatre will present what Variety's Charles Isherwood called 'a rip-roaring, gut-busting, rib-tickling, knee-slapping, aisle-rolling … good time' musical at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC). The show will open on January 18th and run through February 10th.

We are pleased to announce the winners for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Nominations were reader-submitted and voted on by you - the local theatergoers!