Authors Posts by Julianne Mosher

Julianne Mosher

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Reviewed by Julianne Mosher

“Who wants to see that?” is the second song performed in Theatre Three’s latest mainstage production of Half Time. Well, after you read this review, you’ll definitely want to see it, too. Celebrating its New York premiere, the show tells the story of a group of nine senior citizens who audition, and get into, a hip-hop dance troupe for a New Jersey basketball team. 

Based on a true story documented in the 2008 film, Gotta Dance written, directed and produced by Dori Berinstein, the 2015 stage adaptation premiered at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre and retitled itself in 2018 for its East Coast premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. With a book by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, audiences of all ages will fall in love with the story and its characters.

Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the show starts off with the ensemble as the New Jersey Cougars (Julia Albino, Will Logan, Melina Piervencenti, Isabella Scarpa, Michelle Shapiro, Katy Snair and Ryan van Nostrand) — which was loosely based on the NJ Nets basketball team. They’re young, they’re hip and they can dance. But then, the group opens up to feature nine sassy seniors who tried out for the team’s latest publicity stunt — a dance troupe called “Nifty Shades of Grey.”

Marci Bing (Muriel), Lisa Greene (Joanne), Mary Ellin Kurtz (Estelle), Denise Lardi (Fran), Phyllis March (Mae), Linda May (Bea), Candace McCready (Dorothy), Nikki Sislian (Camilla) and Jack Seabury (Ron), each bring humor and immense talent to the stage.

The senior troupe is coached by another aged out dancer, Tara (Tina Ann Aurora), who was fired by her boss, Alison (Colleen Britt) for being too old. Alison is also behind this PR stunt. She thinks it’s a joke and wants to humiliate the group because who would want to see a bunch of old folks dance to hip-hop? Tara believes in them, though, and with the help of Jenny (Cassidy Rose O’Brien) and Kendra (Anna Moceri) of the young Cougarettes, they transform the group into sizzling seniors who can pop, lock and drop it. 

What’s also fun about the show is we learn the backstories of each dancer. May does a great job playing Bea, who’s also Kendra’s grandmother. She’s spunky and opinionated, especially when it comes to Kendra’s relationship with one of the star players, Anthony (Yashaun Harris). They talk about this power dynamic during their car rides and in the song, “Princess.”

The seniors become friends with the younger troupe, too, especially when they are all invited to Hell, the local nightclub. There, we learn that Dorothy has an alter ego, Dottie, who is a confident hip-hop star and idolizes legends like Tupac and Biggie Smalls. McCready does a fantastic job playing the shy kindergarten teacher who ends up being one of the best break dancers on the team. 

But to counteract Hell, the old folks invite the youngins to a sock hop the following week to show them how they used to dance. Ron, who’s the only male member of the team, shows off his skills in “The Prince of Swing” and how he used to attract all the ladies in his youth. This fun number shows off Seabury’s great dancing as he partners with everyone on stage to show off his moves. 

We also learn about Mae’s personal life. One of the older members of the team, her husband is terminally ill and in an emotionally beautiful song, “The Water’s Rise,” she leaves the audience with tears in their eyes by the end.

Adding to the list of swing, tap and hip-hop dancing, Camilla’s “Como No?” brings salsa to the stage. In this number, Sislian lights up the room in her tight red dress singing about her half-her-age lover in an anthem that reminds everyone that age is only a number.

Other highlights include the costume design from Jason Allyn who strategically kept the color scheme of red and black prominent throughout the whole show and the bare set by Randall Parsons that allowed the actors to get their groove on with nothing in the way.

The show impressively closes the theatre’s 54th mainstage season with jokes that will have you laughing from start to finish. For a half-time show, there is a whole lot of talent, so don’t miss this one.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Half Time through June 22. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. 

After a brief hiatus, Theatre Three kicks off their 55th season with the family favorite musical Annie from Sept. 13 to Oct. 19. For more information or to order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

By Julianne Mosher

If you have a little one in your life, My Little Bestie is about to be your little bestie.

The store, which opened in East Setauket in November of last year, is celebrating six months of being in business and owner Sara DiFalco said it’s been one of the best rides she has ever been on.

Located at 248 Main Street, the shop has two purposes: In the front, a colorful boutique of everything a mama and child needs decorate shelves and displays. As you head to the back of the store, racks of clothing, accessories and toys, donated by other mamas and caregivers, are available for purchase—basically a tiny thrift store with brand names to help families who may not be able to afford luxury. 

“I love thrifting,” DiFalco laughed, “But I also love new stuff.”

To combine the best of both worlds, DiFalco’s business model allows families to donate bags of their preowned items. There are specific criterion, like no stains, holes or heavy wear, and it can’t be from a retailer of fast fashion like Old Navy, Target or Walmart. After DiFalco examines and approves each piece, the donator is given 50% off items in the store for the next 30 days.

“It’s really nice because our kids grow out of things and we never know what to do with them,” she said.

After the donation is made, then it’s time to shop for something new. Tote bags, book, puzzles, toys, home décor and clothing for mom, baby and child. DiFalco said that all the new clothing she sells is organically made by small batch retailers and are almost entirely eco-friendly.

“People tell me that they have never seen a store like this before that has luxury in the front and thrifting in the back,” she said. 

Originally from Toronto, Canada, DiFalco moved to Deer Park with her now-husband more than a decade ago. She worked in retail, but soon after having her daughter, who is now two years old, she decided she wanted to be her own boss. After searching the Island for the perfect spot to open a brick-and-mortar shop, she stumbled across Setauket and fell in love with the area.

“There’s nothing like this around and it’s so needed,” she said. 

Along with becoming her own boss and making her own schedule, DiFalco wanted to create a community for moms out there. Since opening My Little Bestie, she said many of her customers have become her friends, bonding over their love for shopping and embracing motherhood. DiFalco loves the North Shore so much, she and her family are moving to Smithtown this summer. 

Named for her daughter, Athena, who DiFalco says is her “little bestie,” the store has constant revolving inventory and a plentiful online shop to order from. 

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My LIttle Bestie is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Mondays. For more information, please call 631-800-9800 or visit www.mylittlebestie.shop.

By Julianne Mosher

SomeBUNNY should go see the most perfect springtime show now playing at Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three right away. The Adventures of Peter Rabbit might be geared for kids, but audiences of all ages will smile from ear to ear by the end of the hour-long show. 

Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Brent Erlanson, the musical opened last week during Spring Break and will run through May 10. With original music by Kevin F. Story, the musical is based loosely on the beloved characters from The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.

The show starts off in the cute and cozy cottage home of Mrs. Rabbit (Elizabeth Ladd) and her three adorable bunnies — Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail (Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Julia Rose Albino and Katy Snair). There is, however, a fourth bunny, Peter (Ryan Worrell), who is a bit of a troublemaker, especially if he gets together with his cousin Benjamin Bunny (Ryan Van Nostrand). 

The two boys can’t stay away from the next door farm of Mr. and Mrs. McGregor’s garden (Louisa Bikowski and Liam Marsigliano), which is full of all of their favorite veggies to eat (or steal). Soon enough, Mr. McGregor, who’s “a meanie with a temper like a bear,” spies Peter and Benjamin sneaking tastes of lettuce, cucumbers and carrots and begins to plot his revenge. 

Interactive and exciting for the little ones in the crowd, there is always something to look at. For example, you may see Peter, his three sisters and their cousin run through the aisles, take a seat in the audience and even chat with you throughout the show. 

Colleen Britt directs a small cast of eight, but with a large level of talent. Worrell and Van Nostrand shine in the comedic roles of Peter and Benjamin. O’Brien, Albino and Snair are great additions with their timely, goody-two-shoes one liners and, of course, Mrs. Rabbit is equally as lovable. And even though they’re the antagonists as the farmers, you’ll still have a soft spot for Bikowski and Marsigliano, too. 

Plus, all of the songs and dances, with special mention to “Run Peter Run” and “Peter’s Socks,” are charming with Douglas J. Quattrock and Jeffrey Hoffman on the keyboards. The final number incorporates all of the songs in a super mega-mix extravaganza.

Costumes by Jason Allyn, from the bunnies’ spring dresses in pink, purple, green and red to their bunny ears and tails, are the carrots on the cake. And wait until you see the lighting and special effects!

Souvenir bunnies in various colors will be sold before the show and during intermission and the entire cast will be in the lobby after the show for a meet-and-greet and photos.

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Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson presents The Adventures of Peter Rabbit at 11 a.m. on April 26, April 27 (sensory-friendly performance), May 3 and May 10. Children’s theater continues with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs from May 13 to June 21. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

The cast of 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' Photo by Julianne Mosher

Reviewed by Julianne Mosher

The Shea Theatre at Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus in Selden becomes the Australian desert for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, but features a colorful rainbow of a story.

Directed by Mary Seymour, the jukebox musical written by Australian film director Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott  uses well-known pop songs as its score. Based on Elliott’s 1994 cult-followed film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the show tells the story of two drag queens and a transgender woman who travel across the Australian desert in a camper they coined Priscilla to perform at a resort in Alice Springs. 

Priscilla the camper. Photo by Julianne Mosher

The play starts out at the Cockatoo Club where the three divas (Michaela Fitzsimmons, Alani Etheridge and Angie Barrientos) start off by belting “It’s Raining Men.” We meet Miss Understanding, (Eleb Jr. Henrius), the MC of the club who plays his rendition of “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and we meet Tick, (Will Begley), a down-on-her-luck drag queen. 

Tick receives a phone call from his wife, Marion (Jadah Dixon), who after not seeing each other for several years as he makes a life for himself in the big city of Sydney, offers him a spot to perform his drag number at her casino in Alice Springs. Not only is she offering him a job, but she’s allowing him to finally meet his young son.

Excited for the opportunity for a fresh start, and to meet his child, Tick calls his old friend, Bernadette, (Thomas McGuire) a transgender woman and retired performer, and a young, semi-cocky drag queen named Felicia (Joseph Salerno). Felicia and Bernadette don’t get along, but reluctantly agree to board a beaten-up old camper they christen “Priscilla.”

The trio head west across the Australia on a weeks-long trip to reach their destination. Aboard the bus, they experience it all, from visiting hole-in-the-wall bars (performing disco anthems like “I Love the Nightlife” to unenthused country folk) to eventually breaking down in the middle of the desert. A lot of laughs, and even some tears, the trip for the three is quite the doozy as they meet an array of strange characters along the way.

When they finally make it to Alice Springs, the three perform together as a group in an epic lip sync that has the audience dancing in their seats. 

While watching the show, one might not even realize they are being entertained by students who are surely on their way to stardom. While the talent of the three divas and the three queens is exceptional, the show becomes even more excellent with the addition of the ensemble cast who float between roles and different scenes effortlessly (Nicholas Maggipinto, Thomas Everson, Izzy Mangiaracina, Sarah Lange, Mia Lombardi, Krystian Karwowski, Max Venezia, Katelyn Carlo, Alberto Negron, Isabella Romero, Jennifer Sandusky, Kian Ventura).

During the two-hour show, the stage design changes rapidly. From dive bars to opulent gay clubs, one fun spectacle of the show is Priscilla, herself, which has its own set in itself and is a major focal point of the show. The costumes, too, are as colorful as you’d imagine considering the show surrounds three fabulous drag queens.

So, don’t miss this show. With other fun tunes like, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” “Material Girl,” “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “True Colors,” “Hot Stuff,” and “Boogie Wonderland,” you’ll be singing and dancing along as if you were at the club, too.

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building, SCCC Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden on April 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. General admission is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students receive two free tickets. To order, call 631-451-4163.

By Julianne Mosher

It was an egg-cellent time for all. 

With a weekend of sunshine and warm temperatures, Saturday, April 19 was the perfect day to search for some eggs throughout Port Jefferson’s Harborfront Park. 

The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce’s annual Easter parade and egg hunt was even more egg-citing this year thanks to hundreds of families who came out to participate. Starting at noon, moms, dads, grandparents and their little ones lined up outside Theatre Three and marched down Main Street in their best Easter attire with baskets in hand with the hopes of finding as many plastic eggs as they could.

Leading the group were members of the chamber and Port Jefferson’s favorite Easter Bunny, Barbara Ransome, director of operations for the chamber. The parade finished up at the Port Jefferson Village Center where tables were set up to trade in found eggs for different prizes and bins to recycle the eggs for next year’s event — an effort to continue being sustainable to the planet. 

While the lines were long to hand in the eggs, the line to take a picture with the Easter Bunny was equally as lengthy with kids of all ages ready to smile. 

— Photos by Julianne Mosher

A scene from 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical.' Photo courtesy of John W. Engeman Theater
Engeman Theater brings beloved book series to life on stage

By Julianne Mosher

“Zoo-Wee Mama!” The Long Island premiere of Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical at The John W. Engeman Theater  in Northport sure does have an animal heart. Full of laughter, love and just a hint of silliness, this one is perfect to bring the kids to. 

Michael Deaner as Greg Heffley in ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’. Photo from John W. Engeman Theater

Directed by Marquez, and based on the popular book series by Jeff Kinney and the 2010 movie of the same name, Diary of a Wimpy Kid follows Greg Heffley (Michael Deaner, Matthew Eby), an awkward middle child who’s just starting junior high. 

His popularity level is low and the entire show is him trying to rise in the ranks. This is something he writes about in his journal … not a diary. His parents (Daniel Meglio and Jessica Mae Murphy) are preoccupied by Greg’s older punk brother, Rodrick (Kieran Brown) and their baby brother (depicted on stage as a puppet).

Navigating school with his overly sensitive BFF Rowley Jefferson (Amare Tavarez, Oliver Cirelli), his weird neighbor Fregley (Brady Goldman, Elliot Torbenson), and schoolmate Chirag Gupta (Nathan Benites, Pranav Ramkumar), Greg tries his hand in all things popular. He runs for school government against his arch nemesis, Patty Farrell (London Delvecchio, Claire Daly), which fails epically, and becomes a cartoonist for the school paper, which ultimately doesn’t work out either. 

Oh, did I mention poor Greg is doing all this while constantly being picked on by the eighth graders (Lexi Cid and Will Logan)?

With other twists and turns, the ensemble cast — Finn Brown, Liam Von Schmidt, John Moger, Scott Maciorowski, Camryn LaFemina, Zachary Kanakaris, Sophie Achee, Caraline Quackenbush, Erin Risolo and Sofia Jarmel — makes this show so relatable to anyone who has every attended middle school. Without them, the show would be incomplete. 

A scene from ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical.’ Photo courtesy of John W. Engeman Theater

And while the student population at this school has a bunch of differences and varying popularity ratings (which are shown on stage), the kids have one thing in common: Joshie (Jae Hughes) — a European popstar who has a standout solo song right after intermission. Everyone loves Joshie, but their biggest fan is definitely Rowley who has the “Animal Heart” singer’s poster on his wall. 

On stage, the scene is set with your typical school lockers, cafeteria and kids’ bedrooms. Always on stage, however, is Greg’s journal, which updates the audience with his drawings and notes throughout the show. His life literally becomes an open book. 

Overall, this show is catchy, fun and a great afternoon out for children of all ages. Parents will be completely impressed by the professionalism and talent of these young actors, while kids will laugh at the relatable song and dance. So, grab your “Mom Bucks” and purchase a ticket to the Engeman’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid. You won’t regret it.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical through April 27. Children’s theater continues with Madagascar A Musical Adventure from July 19 to Aug. 24. Tickets are $20 per person. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

By Julianne Mosher

The Engeman’s latest production is as sweet as, well, pie.

Now on the main stage of the Northport-based theater, Waitress, written by Jessie Nelson with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, is based on Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 indie movie of the same name. 

This production, however, was directed by Marc Tumminelli and stars an all-star cast that creates an atmosphere that will surely have you dancing in your seat.

The show starts off with Joe’s Diner. Three waitresses, Dawn (Kalea Leverette), Becky (Laraisha Dievelyn Dionne) and Jenna (Chessa Metz) slave away at the local joint off a highway in a small town. Dawn is a nerdy hopeless romantic who soon falls for Ogie (Matthew Dengler), while Becky is a strong-willed independent woman who has a secret (spoiler alert: it involves Cal (Adam Du Plessis), their boss). 

But the biggest secret of all is that Jenna is pregnant by her terrible, deadbeat and abusive husband, Earl (Trevor St. John-Gilbert). Devastated, and unhappy, Jenna finds solace in making pies, just like she did with her late mother (Ashely Margaret Morton). And she’s good at it, even winning over old Joe (Gregory North), the diner’s owner, who is not a fan of much else.

Jenna heads to the OBGYN to confirm the pregnancy and there she meets Dr. Pomatter (Jack Cahill-Lemme) who she soon falls in love with. The two start an affair. From then on, we see the ups and downs of Jenna’s life as she tries to navigate her friendships, her unhappy marriage and the few things that bring her joy: sneaking around with Dr. Pomatter and imagining new, exotic pies, and planning her escape from this small town.

Each actor does a phenomenal job of bringing Shelley’s characters to life on the big stage. From the set design, which is made up to look like an old-school diner, to the costumes, you’ll truly believe you’re watching drama (with a dash of music and choreography mixed in) unfold over your own breakfast.

Metz shines bright as Jenna, with an amazing voice that literally wowed the audience as she held extended notes. The supporting cast, too, brings their own fun flair to the show like Dionne and Du Plessis’ hilarious, and surprising, chemistry and Leverette’s adorable quirkiness (that’s then matched by Dengler’s Ogie). You’ll even love to hate Earl. Even though he’s a bad guy, St. John-Gilbert’s portrayal of him is outstanding. Joe, who seems like you’d dislike the old man for his attitude, actually becomes a special character who makes your heart melt by the end of the show thanks to North’s talent.

But what was most fun to watch, though, was the fun Metz and Cahill-Lemme had together on stage. As Jenna and Dr. Pomatter, they were a perfect match.

So, let the theater whisk you away to a story that will make your heart feel good. Just like a warm piece of pie, Waitress is a sweet one.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Waitress through April 27. The season continues with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific from May 15 to June 29 and Footloose the Musical from July 10 to August 24. For tickets, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

By Julianne Mosher

Route 25A in Miller Place was decorated in green with thousands of people from across Long Island excited for the 73rd annual Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick’s Day parade.

On Sunday, March 16, the parade route began at Harrison Avenue in Miller Place with local fire departments, school districts and businesses marching east to Broadway in Rocky Point. This year’s co-grand marshals were John and Raymond O’Sullivan, whose father was the grand marshal exactly 60 years ago.

— Photos by Julianne Mosher

By Julianne Mosher

Seven small plays packed into a two-hour festival will leave you with plenty of emotions; you’ll laugh, cry, gasp and smile. 

Now in its 26th year, the Festival of One-Act Plays at Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three has been the place where world premieres have been shown. Throughout it’s almost three decades, they have received 14,000 submissions worldwide. This year, 1,000 plays were sent in and seven made the cut. 

Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the festival starts out with the somber “A Happy Child” featuring the incredible Jae Hughes and Linda May. Written by Melinda Gros, Hughes plays Rory, the child of the woman (May), who is a drifter. They won’t go home to a stable shelter where their child lives and grows, and it hurts both them and their mom. The mom expresses how much she misses them when they’re away and the end of the show will leave your heart hurting for the family that seems to be holding on by a thread. 

“Monster Love,” written by D.L. Siegel, is next featuring Steve Ayle as Victor and Julia Albino as Bonnie. Bonnie is getting married, and she must plan the festivities with her scientist father, Victor Frankenstein. He really wants his late wife, Bonnie’s mother, there, so he shows off his new creation (Samantha Fierro) … And it happens to have his wife’s head. You’ll laugh at this one, it’s silly, but a clever take on modernizing the classic tale and making it more… relatable? While Fierro doesn’t have much speaking parts, she plays a great monster with her hilarious body language and facial expressions. Albino is a successful working woman and Ayle’s mad scientist is absolutely hysterical. 

Port Jefferson local Melanie Acampora’s third show in the festival premiered with “Too Much Fondant” which starts off with funny banter between a husband (Evan Teich) and wife (Brittany Lacey). Teich, a workaholic, is unimpressed by a piece of cake Lacey brought home after the neighbor’s birthday party. Too much fondant can ruin a cake. But in a quick turn of events, we see their relationship completely unravel. What went wrong? Teich and Lacey’s chemistry on stage is beautiful and tragic, especially when we watch the relationship fall apart. 

The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. 

Before intermission, Larry (Jason Furnari), Jess (Hughes), Luke (Will Brennan), Amy (Fierro), Bobbi (Phyllis March) and Desi (Steven Uihlein) are putting on a community theater production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in “Final Dress, or Places for the End of the World” by Matthew Green. The five are rehearsing the famous end scene, and Bobbi is tired and wants to leave the theater … which is actually a shelter from the end of the world outside. When Bobbi leaves, Jess, who has become stage manager and director, needs to figure out how to produce “Romeo and Juliet” with just four actors. This one feels all too real in a post-pandemic world. 

Mark Mulkerin’s “Where Illusions End” is a sad one, but also relatable to people who have felt the effects of cancer firsthand. Cam (Furnari) and his brother Alex (Teich) are navigating how to better care for their sick mother. Alex is a magician by trade, and he is completely against their mom trying a new type of treatment that he is convinced is a scam. An illusionist, himself, he says he can do a better job at pretending to cure her than an expensive doctor can. 

On a lighter note, we’re then brought to a business pitch in James McLindon’s “Sinergy.” Aubrey (Lacey) plays a businesswoman whose specialty is combining medieval prayer with modern cleansing … of your sins. She’s pitching this wellness practice to Taylor (Ayle), and to prove it works, Tistram (Uihlein), a poor man dressed in pauper’s clothing, who reluctantly will take on the sins of the consumer, clearing their conscious and making them feel great. This one is funny. It’ll be a sin to not to laugh at it. 

The festival ends with “Cliff” by Teri Foltz. Cliff (Douglas Quattrock) is sitting in a waiting room anticipating a cancer diagnosis. His hurricane of a wife, Carrie (May), is there with him along with four other patients; (Albino, Brennan, Fierro and March). Cliff, a quiet, delicate man tells us the story of his life. He’s always been known as shy, kind of a doormat, and relatively awkward in social settings, but he’s kind, and deep down he wants more. This diagnosis, whether it’s negative or positive, could be the start of a new chapter for Cliff. 

Quattrock’s performance received a standing ovation and should continue on throughout the remainder of the shows. 

Overall, the festival was an amazing production of short and sweet plays that will appeal to everyone. There’s a reason The Festival of One-Act Plays has been selling out shows for 26 years.

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Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 26th annual Festival of One-Act Plays at the Ronald F. Peierls Theatre on the Second Stage through April 5. Tickets are $25. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

By Julianne Mosher 

Theatre Three’s latest children’s show has a lot of brains, heart and courage, but you certainly won’t want to go home. 

An original musical adapted from the stories of L. Frank Baum by Jeffrey Sanzel and Douglas J. Quattrock, Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz is a fun-filled tale of the timeless classic that will have families in the audience smiling from ear to ear. 

As the show opens, we meet Dorothy Gale (Cassidy Rose O’Brien), chief editor of her high school newspaper, the Baum Bugle. She brings her dog Toto (Tasha Poyfair) around, much to her teachers’ dismay, and unintentionally hurts her best friend, Judy Gumm’s (Sophia Del Carmen) feelings when she cuts her story from the latest edition. 

We meet her teachers, Mr. Green (Jason Furnari), the nasty Miss Ravine (Louisa Bikowski) and the sweet Miss Morgan (Julia Albino), along with her principal, Mr. Henry (Liam Marsigliano), who all warn Dorothy to get inside before a big storm comes by.

A tornado hits and when Dorothy awakes, her newspaper stand has fallen upon a witch wearing ruby red slippers. She’s greeted by Glinda (Albino), the Good Witch of the North, along with the people of Munchkinland (Del Carmen, Marsigliano and Furnari) who declare her a hero for killing the Wicked Witch of the East. Glinda tells Dorothy to take the ruby slippers because they hold magical powers and the evil Wicked Witch of the West (Bikowski) wants them for herself.

Dorothy just wants to go home and in order to do that she must see the great and powerful Wizard of Oz in Emerald City. All she has to do is follow the yellow brick road which leads her down a trailway of surprises and adventure. 

On the first stop she meets the loveable Scarecrow (Katy Snair) who wants to ask the Wizard for a brain. The duo head further down the road and run into the stiff, yet emotional, Tinman (Steven Uihlein) who is looking for a heart. After some trials and tribulations, thanks to the evil witch watching their every move from her lair, they meet the soft Lion (Sean Amato) who wants courage (and to stop being such a scaredy cat!).

Do the four new friends make it to the Emerald City and does the Wizard make all their wishes come true? That’s for you to find out. 

Directed by Sanzel with musical direction from Quattrock, Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz features wonderful original songs and fantastic choreography from Sari Feldman. While the set is small, the theater does a great job of letting your imagination run free, along with the help of a trap door on stage where someone may or may not melt into.

But what truly stands out, alongside the professionalism, talent and commitment to character from the amazing cast, are the costumes designed by Jason Allyn. From Dorothy’s signature blue and white gingham dress; the scarecrow, tinman and lion’s costumes; all the way to the gowns of the elite Emerald City citizens, the outfits are stunning. 

So, buy your tickets now or the Wicked Witch will get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too! And don’t forget to stop by the lobby on your way out for a group photo with the cast.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz through March 29 with a sensory friendly performance on March 2 at 11 a.m. Children’s theater continues with The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 16 to May 10; and Snow White and the The Seven Dwarfs from May 29 to June 21. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.