Melissa Giordano - Page 16

It is such a treat to be able to say 'I saw it first'. In the world premier of Frederick Stroppel's two new wonderfully intense plays, collectively called Dead Of Night, we find alot of suspense with a little comedy mixed in ala' Alfred Hitchcock.

One thing is for sure; you'll never be disappointed when you see a show at Northport's stunning John W. Engeman Theatre. Located on Long Island, their current Alan Souza directed production, Frederick Knott's suspense-filled Wait Until Dark, will have you at the edge of your seat in anticipation and apprehension for the entire show.

It was another eventful night at Northport's stunning John W. Engeman Theatre as they hosted their ongoing Broadway Concert Series. Per tradition, during their dark week between shows, Producer and Host Stephen DeAngelis rounds up Broadway's best for an evening of songs and stories about their lives and careers. The incredible line up this time included Chester Gregory, Tari Kelly, Caissie Levy, Jessica Phillips, Rashidra Scott, and a special appearance by Tad Wilson.

Omigod, you guys! The most fashionable lawyer is currently holding court at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CM PAC) in Oakdale, Long Island. Legally Blonde, The Musical opened this past weekend, complete with pink carpet arrivals, to a very talented cast and wonderfully enthusiastic audience.

I always love when a random show pops up on the community theatre circuit. It breathes new life into a scene that may run the same show too many times. Some would probably consider BroadHollow Theatre Company's presentation of Willy Russell's Tony Award winning play Shirley Valentine a risk, but they pulled it off excellently.

This has been a very exciting year for the Long Island theatre community. There was a lot of diversity from classic shows like The Importance Of Being Earnest at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to more modern shows like Legally Blond at the BayWay Theatre. Some productions may have been stronger than others, but all of them had a lot of heart invested in each of them.

Whenever you see a production presented by the Gateway Theatre, you're in for a wonderful event. Their current musical, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, based on the Paramount Pictures film, is no exception. This David Ruttura directed production is even fortunate to have the original sets and choreography as the Broadway showing (more on that later).

My journey with the cast of A Christmas Carol, The Musical, now playing at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CMPAC), comes to end with their opening. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Ms. Ahrens and Mike Ockrent, this wonderful cast surely didn't disappoint. Now playing through December 30th at the Oakdale, Long Island, theatre, you're in for a wonderful evening when you see this Timothy Pappalardo directed production originally presented by Madison Square Garden.

My next chapter with the cast of A Christmas Carol, The Musical, the upcoming production at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center's (CM PAC) of Long Island, continues with Tech Week.

Port Jefferson's Theatre Three thrills Main Street once again with their 29th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Now running through December 29th, this beautiful production and cast will surely get you into the Christmas spirit.

The show was fantastic to begin with. The John W. Engeman Theatre's retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has a refreshing taste to the classic favorite. Directed by Mark Adam Rampmeyer and adapted by Michael Wilson, this production runs through January 6th at the beautiful Northport theatre.

A Christmas Carol may be a theatre staple throughout the holiday season, but the John W Engeman Theatre of Northport, Long Island, has decided to switch things up a bit. Mark Rampmeyer, director of the Engeman's upcoming production, has taken time out of rehearsals to chat with us to give us a sneak peak.

If ever there was a more relatable tale for these times, David Lindsay-Abaire's Tony-Award winning play, Good People, is certainly among that list. This story hits home with the masses that are struggling with the current economy. You'll find yourself empathizing, in whole or in part, with the story and the characters we meet now playing through November 11th at Quogue Community Hall on Long Island.

The Tony winning musical, Man Of LaMancha, is truly a force to be reckoned with. Now playing at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CM PAC) on Long Island, Director Noel Ruiz, the cast, and creative team are certainly up for the challenge. This production features an amazing cast, wonderful set, and, of course, a beautiful and classic score.

The next chapter in my journey with the cast of Creative Ministries Performing Art Center's (CMPAC) A Christmas Carol, The Musical continues with their first sit-down reading. It was more of a fun information/getting to know you session.

Aye, Matees! It is so exciting to see the world premiere of a show. I had this opportunity with the opening of Treasure Island, A Musical Adventure at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, Long Island. This original two-act musical, based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, has a book by Sherman Yellen, Music by Gary William Friedman, and lyrics by Will Holt -- all Tony nominees. Now playing through October 27th, this beautiful up-and-coming production, directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, is in fantastic shape thus far.

Neil Simon's Tony nominated classic, Sweet Charity, is the quintessential tale of a young woman trying to find love and running into the wrong guys in the process. We've all been there. Now playing through October 28th at the beautiful John W. Engeman Theatre in Northport, Long Island, this production proves that a timely tale never truly gets old.

The ongoing Broadway concert series at Northport's stunning John W. Engeman Theatre is truly an event not to be missed. Broadway's best come together for a night of songs and stories about their careers.

Long Island's Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CM PAC), now in its 25th year, will be presenting Madison Square Garden's version of A Christmas Carol come December. As a former employee (MANY years ago) of the theatre that merged with CM PAC, I was thrilled when director Tim Pappalardo asked me to watch the process of putting this show together. I'll be attending casting, a read through, going to Tech, and opening night with the many CM vets expected to be in this production.

You simply can not go wrong with Ira Levin's Tony-nominated hit play Deathtrap. BroadHollow Theatre Company's production, running through September 2nd, boasts a wonderful cast that has you jumping in your seat one moment and laughing the next.