Long Island Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 12

BWW Review: SHREK, THE MUSICAL at Theatre Three
by Melissa Giordano - May 25, 2016

It is truly a pleasure seeing Shrek, The Musical. Based on the sure-to-be-classic DreamWorks Animation motion picture, the superb incarnation at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson boasts a truly remarkable cast. Running through June 25th, Jeffrey Sanzel wonderfully directs the large, talented company t...

BWW Review: The Barebones Theatre Company Presents SUPERIOR DONUTS
by Melissa Giordano - May 11, 2016

The second offering from the Barebones Theatre Company's 2016 season is a wonderful showing of the Tracy Letts' play Superior Donuts. Now running through May 22nd at the intimate Northport venue, Jeff Bennett and Christopher Tully superbly direct a stellar ensemble cast in the Long Island premiere. ...

BWW Review: THE WEDDING SINGER at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre
by Melissa Giordano - May 04, 2016

In spite of what you may have heard or read about this show from its 2006 Broadway incarnation, The Wedding Singer is certainly an enjoyable time. Who doesn't love 1980's campiness? Not only that, the Tony nominated stage version stays very true to the hilarious Adam Sandler movie particularly with ...

BWW Review: BEAU JEST at Theatre Three
by Melissa Giordano - April 20, 2016

There is something very special about James Sherman's play Beau Jest now playing at Theatre Three. It actually reminds me of the television shows of the 50's and 60's (I Love Lucy for example). There is no message to preach; it is just funny situations, great acting, witty dialog, and a lot of heart...

BWW Review: MEMPHIS at the Engeman
by Melissa Giordano - April 06, 2016

The Spring season is officially underway with the start of Memphis at the John W. Engeman Theatre of Northport, Long Island. The multi Tony award winner, directed excellently by Igor Goldin, runs at the gorgeous venue through May 8th and I cannot say enough about this brilliant production. The cast,...

BWW Review: THE MUSIC MAN at the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CMPAC
by Melissa Giordano - March 16, 2016

Having previously attended a wonderful local production of Meredith Willson's Tony winning musical The Music Man, I was bursting with high hopes for the incarnation at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CMPAC. In a strong main stage directorial debut, CMPAC vet Matt W. Surico - usually the Music Director a...

BWW Review: Andrew Lippa's WILD PARTY at SoLuna
by Melissa Giordano - March 09, 2016

The true talent of the cast takes center stage in SoLuna Studio's incarnation of Andrew Lippa's hit off-Broadway musical Wild Party. Their voices impressively and beautifully fill the Hauppauge theatre with Mr. Lippa's diverse score of pop/rock and jazz songs, among others. Netting Drama Desk, Outer...

BWW Review: Theatre Three's GODSPELL
by Melissa Giordano - March 02, 2016

As often as Godspell is presented, I always encourage seeing it again particularly when you have a cast as superb as Theatre Three's. Under the marvelous direction of Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel, the stunning company is exemplary for the perfect execution of this important story that is told ti...

BWW Review: The Engeman's GOD OF CARNAGE
by Melissa Giordano - February 03, 2016

Having seen a previous less-than-stellar local production of Yasmina Reza's Tony winning play God Of Carnage, I'm thrilled that Long Island's John W. Engeman Theatre has added it to their season this year. Leave it to The Engeman to redeem a show. This intelligent and well-executed incarnation runs ...

BWW Review: IN THE HEIGHTS at CMPAC
by Melissa Giordano - January 20, 2016

When I attended In the Heights on Broadway, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Accordingly, I had the upmost confidence that the incarnation at The Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center was going to be just as stellar; and it is. The wonderful production runs through February 7th at the Long Island v...

BWW Review: BIG FISH at SoLuna
by Melissa Giordano - January 13, 2016

Drama Desk nominated musical Big Fish, now playing its Long Island premier through January 31st at SoLuna Studio, is a delight to see. It is family friendly, has a great cast, and you don't have to pay Broadway prices to see it. Based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel and the 2003 film, Andrew Lippa's ...

BWW Review: MSG's A CHRISTMAS CAROL at CMPAC
by Melissa Giordano - December 09, 2015

Long Island certainly has some brilliant holiday productions this season. Currently running through December 29th, Oakdale's Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) has mounted a delightful showing of the musical version of A Christmas Carol; the one Madison Square Garden has produ...

BWW Review: The Engeman's MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
by Melissa Giordano - November 25, 2015

The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is about to get under way and, as always, the John W. Engeman Theatre excellently delivers a fabulous holiday production. This years' offering, running through January 4th, is the musical Miracle On 34th Street by Meredith Willson based on the classic mo...

BWW Review: Theatre Three's Annual Production Of A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Melissa Giordano - November 18, 2015

The show is wonderful to begin with. Theatre Three's 32nd annual production of the beloved Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol has become a beautiful tradition on Long Island. Even with slight changes throughout the years, the timeless tale is as spectacular as ever....

BWW Review: Bare Bones Theatre Company Presents THE LYONS
by Melissa Giordano - November 11, 2015

BWW Review: Bare Bones Theatre Company presents THE LYONS...

BWW Review: AN INSPECTOR CALLS at The Hampton Theatre Company
by Melissa Giordano - October 28, 2015

The old English play An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley has had an interesting, long journey. It was first performed in 1945 and then in the UK in 1946 with an opening on Broadway in 1947 that was, strangely, dubbed as "stale". Over time, interestingly, it has become very successful even winning a...

BWW Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Smithtown Center For The Performing Arts
by Melissa Giordano - October 21, 2015

It is truly a pleasure to see Tony award winning musical A Little Night Music. A traditional musical, it is sophisticated and cleverly created by two masters of Broadway; Stephen Sondheim (score) and Hugh Wheeler (book). The tale follows the romantic lives of several couples with - of course - some ...

BWW Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY at CMPAC
by Melissa Giordano - October 14, 2015

BWW Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY at CMPAC...

BWW Review: Theatre Three's SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
by Melissa Giordano - September 30, 2015

Theatre Three has chosen the best production to kick off their 46th season, giving patrons an ideal opportunity to embrace the Halloween spirit; Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The classic Tony Award winning musical, created by Stephen Sondheim (score) and Hugh Wheeler (book), runs t...

BWW Review: The Engeman's Exquisite WEST SIDE STORY
by Melissa Giordano - September 23, 2015

Celebrating their 50th show, The John W. Engeman Theatre of Northport has mounted a truly exquisite production of the iconic Tony winning musical West Side Story. The tale, of course, centers on Maria and Tony in a modern day – 1957 modern day - Romeo and Juliet situation. Tony and his friends have ...

BWW Review: BONNIE & CLYDE at CMPAC
by Melissa Giordano - September 16, 2015

Kicking off their 37th season, The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center has mounted a terrific production of the Tony nominated musical Bonnie & Clyde. With a book by Ivan Menchell, this is a 'biographical' story of the two most notorious gangsters. Many themes are touched upon in this ...

BWW Review: The Gateway's SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
by Melissa Giordano - September 02, 2015

It is a thrill to see the musical Saturday Night Fever, based on the movie starring John Travolta, included on The Gateway Theatre's summer roster. The gorgeous Long Island venue has a habit of getting Broadway caliber casts and, to no surprise, this one did not disappoint. The Keith Andrews directe...

BWW Reviews: Betty Buckley and Rachel York Dazzle in Bay Street's GREY GARDENS
by Melissa Giordano - August 12, 2015

Tony Award winning musical Grey Gardens, which opened on Broadway in 2006, is a superb creation. Chiefly speaking here about the incarnation at Bay Street Theatre, this is truly a special event for countless reasons. Among them is the fact that the theatre, based in Sag Harbor, is only around 8 mile...

BWW Reviews: Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT at SoLuna Studio
by Melissa Giordano - August 05, 2015

When Green Day's American Idiot arrived on Broadway in 2010, it received a mixed response. When I saw the OBC, I thought they were absolutely stunning and found the book, like everyone else, safe. Furthermore, you have the hard rocking score that is Green Day's Grammy winning album that the musical ...

BWW Reviews: Sandy Rustin's Newest Play THE COTTAGE at The Engeman
by Melissa Giordano - July 29, 2015

In attending the newest work from Sandy Rustin, The Cottage, a 2014 Reva Shiner Comedy Award finalist, you will feel inspired watching an original production being developed. This hilarious story, inspired by the works of Noel Coward, runs through September 6th at the gorgeous John W. Engeman Theatr...