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Engeman Theater’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is a sweet adventure on stage

by Julianne Mosher - November 21, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Oompa Loompa doopity-doo, here is another theater review for you.

The Engeman Theater’s latest production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is as sweet as candy and will have you itching for more sugar by the end of it.

Directed by Drew Humphrey and choreographed by Mandy Modic, the show has similarities between the other Wonka films, but this is entirely its own.

We meet Willy Wonka (Cooper Grodin) who discloses to the audience that he is looking for someone to take over his candy factory. He’s going to hold a genius marketing campaign of placing five Golden Tickets in his famous Wonka bars with a grand prize of visiting the factory, while also working incognito as a candy store salesman, watching the winners revealed on television one by one.

At his store, Wonka meets Charlie Bucket (Matthew Eby), a young boy with a big imagination and very little money. Coming from poverty, he lives in a shack with his single mother (Sarah Colt), and his four grandparents (Steven Bidwell, Caroline Eby, Zoe Gillis and Howard Pinhasik) who all sleep in one bed and haven’t emerged from it in decades.

Grandpa Joe (Pinhasik), who is also Charlie’s best friend, used to work at the factory many years ago. He instilled his love for chocolate and fills the young boy’s head with stories from the good old days. But because of their lack of wealth, Charlie gets just one chocolate bar a year for his birthday.

Wonka has lived in recluse for many years after a spy tried to steal his recipes, but the campaign becomes an international hit with five children finding the tickets: Augustus Gloop (Oliver Cirelli and Elliot Torbenson), Veruca Salt (London DelVecchio and Elyana Faith Randolph), Violet Beauregarde (Briahna Gribben and Satya Mae Williams), Mike Teavee (Benjamin Corso and Luca Silva) and Charlie.

Spoiled rotten and mean to their parents, Augustus, Veruca, Violet and Mike have far different personalities from the last winner, Charlie, who lucked out finding a candy bar with his last remaining pennies after his birthday bar had no winning ticket.

The five kids and their parents, Mrs. Gloop (Caitlin Burke), Mr. Salt (James Channing), Mr. Beauregarde (Rickens Anantua) and Mrs. Teavee (Molly Samson) along with Grandpa Joe, enter the factory and witness all the magic Wonka has created over the years. Greed and the lack of listening skills from the kids, however, results in some pretty bad outcomes which are narrated by the cleverly created Oompa Loompas (small fabric marionettes attached to the dancers of the ensemble).

A more modern take on the original 1971 film and less creepy than the Tim Burton version from the early 2000s, the Engeman’s version is spectacularly done with a dynamic set, innovative props and gorgeous costumes for the kids and adults, alike. They do a great job transforming the stage into Wonka’s factory from the slums of the Bucket’s household with ease and inside the factory itself is a magical interpretation of what a candy factory ought to be.

You’ll be able to sing along to some well-known favorites like “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination,” with newer bops like “More of Him to Love” (to introduce Augustus), “When Veruca Says” (to introduce Veruca), “The Queen of Pop” (to introduce Violet) and “Little Man of Mine” (for Mike’s character). The second half of the show has the ensemble of Oompa Loompas singing farewell jingles when the kids are taken away to their individual demises.

The talent from not just the adult ensemble but the child cast is excellently done and each actor shines on stage.

Perfect for audiences of all ages, the theater has also created specialty cocktails (for the grownups) made of sweet syrups and candy while also selling Wonka chocolate bars with the chance to win a real Golden Ticket inside with various prizes including season tickets to the theater.

You’re sure to get a sugar high from this show, where dreams and chocolate collide.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory through Dec. 29. The season continues with Heartbreak Hotel from Jan. 16 to March 2 and Waitress The Musical from March 13 to April 27.

For more information or to order tickets, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

See a sneak preview of the show here.

Theatre Three’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ brings back our favorite holiday tradition

by Julianne Mosher - November 15, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Celebrating its 40th year, Theatre Three’s production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is as great as it is in the present, just as it has been in the past, and as it will be in the future.

A pillar of the holiday season, not only in Port Jefferson but across Long Island, the Dickensian tale of Ebenezer Scrooge (Jeffrey Sanzel) and the ghosts of Christmas Past (Cassidy Rose O’Brien), Present (Scott Hofer) and Christmas Yet to Come (Steven Uihlein) is a story that taps into the hearts of the young and the old, making it the perfect way to kick off the season of giving.

The theater opened its annual show on Nov. 9 to a packed-out house filled with an audience dressed in their best Christmas best. Young girls wore their red velvet dresses with bows, while fathers wore silly, ugly Christmas sweaters and Santa hats. Ushers greeted visitors to their seats in top hats and Victorian-era gowns, a nice touch to the show which is set in the mid-1800s.

When the curtains opened up, the stage turned into the dark, dreary streets of London where the poor and hungry begged for food. We are brought inside Ebenezer Scrooge’s office, that he once shared with the late Jacob Marley (Stephen T. Wangner), where he works during Christmas Eve — a holiday he absolutely despises. Scrooge’s nephew is Fred (Uihlein), a young man who is starting a family of his own, but who yearns for his uncle’s approval since it’s the last piece of his mother he has on earth after her death during childbirth. Scrooge, an angry, frugal man, wants nothing to do with the holiday, and isn’t shy about how he feels about it. Bah-humbug.

Scrooge has an underpaid, overworked clerk, Bob Cratchit (Ray Gobes Jr.), who is a man of simple means and a high spirit. Scrooge is unkind to him, as well, but reluctantly gives him off on Christmas Day.

Later that night, Scrooge is visited by his former partner’s ghost. Marley warns Scrooge that he has the opportunity to avoid the same fate — a dire one where he roams the earth entwined in chains and money boxes because of his lifetime of greed and selfishness — with visits by three ghosts. He must listen to them or he will be cursed and spend eternity in the same purgatory as his friend.

The visits of the ghosts are done spectacularly. The Ghost of Christmas Past brings Scrooge back to scenes of his boyhood and young adulthood where we see the relationships between him, his family, his sister, Fan (Ash Stalker), Belle, his first love (Julia Albino) and his first job — an apprenticeship with Mr. Fezziwig and his wife (Scott Hofer and Ginger Dalton).

The Ghost of Christmas Present enters next and takes Scrooge to the homes of Fred and Bob Cratchit. Fred’s holiday party shows the group making fun of Scrooge, while the Christmas dinner with the Cratchit’s shows how poor the family of six copes with Scrooge’s poor wage. We meet Tiny Tim (Stanley Zinger), Cratchit’s ill son who the family prays gets stronger by the day. This opens Scrooge’s eyes.

Enough so that when the Ghost of Christmas Future comes on stage, the audience lets out an audible gasp.

Upon the stage is a 13-foot grim reaper who towers over Scrooge and his grave. Scrooge watches his possessions be stolen and sold, while mourners mock him during his funeral. He begs for forgiveness to the reaper and he vows he’ll change for good.

On Christmas morning, Scrooge is a new man. He sends a turkey to the Cratchit home, donates money to a charity he previously rejected and attends Fred’s Christmas party where he is welcomed with lovingly opened arms. The next day, Scrooge increases Cratchit’s wage in which Tiny Tim says the famous line, “God bless us, everyone.”

Theatre Three’s rendition of A Christmas Carol is always a treat, but this production was quite magical. Sanzel, who also serves as the show’s director, celebrated his 1,590th performance as the bitter, but complex, Scrooge — and he keeps getting better.

In fact, after performing the show for 40 years, the entire company has perfected the show. They have it down to a science with their special and unique adaptation, impressive set design (by Randall Parsons), stunning costumes (by Parsons and Jason Allyn) and fantastic lighting (Robert W. Henderson Jr.). After performing the show for four decades, we can’t wait to see how the next 40 look at Theatre Three. Don’t miss this one.

CAST and CREW: Julia Albino, Jason Allyn, Karin Bagan, Steven Barile, Jr., Kyle M. Breitenbach, James Bressler, Kelsie Curran, Ginger Dalton, Olivia Davis, Angelina Eybs, Sari Feldman, Roy Fleischer, Brad Frey, Jason Furnari, Christina Gobes, Ray Robes Jr., Skye Greenberg, Tim Haggerty, Kathleen Arabelle Han, Robert W. Henderson Jr., Scott Hofer, Patrick Hutchinson, Zach Kanakaris, Giovanni Ladd, Linda May, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Randall Parsons, Mia Rofrano, William Roslak, Vivian Leigh Rumble, Jennifer Salvia, Jeffrey Sanzel, Aidan Sharkey, Ash Stalker, Amelia Theodorakis, Melissa Troxler, Steven Uihlein, Stephen T. Wangner and Stanley Zinger

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson will present A Christmas Carol through Dec. 28. All tickets are $25 in November and range from $25 to $40 in December. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

SCCC Selden brings a taste of Shakespeare to Shea Theatre

by Julianne Mosher - November 13, 2024

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'Shakespeare's Lovers and Fighters' — A scene from Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt. Photo by Julianne Mosher

By Julianne Mosher

It’s time to shake up Shakespeare.

Suffolk County Community College’s latest production of Shakespeare’s Lovers & Fighters is a great approach to the famous playwright and his stories since it’s a compilation of some of his most famous scenes from several different plays.

Serving as an anthology of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Henry V, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night and Hamlet director Steven Lantz-Gefroh said this was a way to bring a little bit of Shakespeare and highlight both the lovers and the fighters.

What’s great for this hour-and-a-half long show, with a 10-minute intermission, is that the audience gets snippets of some of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays without having to sit through them in their entirety. Narrated by William, himself, in between the different scenes, the show is a way to either adore some of your favorite Shakespearean tragedies, comedies and histories or immerse yourself into a piece of his work that you might not know of already.

Set on a brilliantly crafted stage that hosts a balcony, stairs and minimal props, the actors are able to adapt quickly and efficiently in between the different stories; some that take place in France (As You Like It), Scotland (Macbeth), Athens (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Denmark (Hamlet), and Italy (The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet).

We start off with scene 3.2 from As You Like It where Rosalind and her cousin, Celia, are met with Rosalind’s love interest, Orlando. Dressed in drag, Rosalind fools Orlando into believing she is a love expert.

We head south to Italy for scene 2.1 of The Taming of the Shrew where we meet Katherine, an angsty, angry shrew of a woman who is being courted by Petruchio after he makes a deal with her father, Baptista. Katherine wants none of this, but could there be chemistry between the two if she tried?

While in Italy, we’re outside Juliet Capulet’s balcony for that famous scene. Enough said.

Up in Scotland, we meet Macbeth who fights Macduff in an intense scene of combat. The artistry behind the fight is stunning and impressive to the audience sitting at the edges of their seats.

Thereafter we’re back in France at Henry V’s court where we see him seduce Catherine of France as part of a plan to end the Hundred Years’ War and place King Henry on the French throne.

Back in Verona, we are in the public square where the Capulets and Montagues fight it out after the two groups have words — which stems from generations of feuding between the two families. As before, the swordsmanship is a dance on the stage that is carefully crafted with every move. Impressive, again, to say the least.

We also are privileged to see scene 4.1 from As You Like It, 3.4 from Twelfth Night, 5.1 from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and 3.1 from Hamlet during act two.

The show concludes with the entire cast on stage separated into the English and French for an epic battle scene between the two groups from scenes 4.3-7 from Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt. All in all, the show has something for everyone — whether you liked reading Shakespeare in high school or not.

The talent of these actors — which include Gabriel Patrascu, Scott Dowd, Ryan Shaw, Jeremy Bazata, Alani Etheridge, Angie Barrientos, Alani Etheridge, Michaela Fitzsimmons, Haylee Giglio, Talia Mazza and Thomas McGuire — is beyond exceptional. Their ability to become the characters Shakespeare created nearly 500 years ago (and speak-eth in thy tongue) is incredibly difficult but they do it with such ease that it is especially impressive. Each actor shines on stage in their Shakespearean costume, you’ll think that you’re watching New York City’s “Shakespeare in the Park,” — only this is much closer.

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present Shakespeare’s Lovers & Fighters in the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building, SCCC Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden on Nov. 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. General admission is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students with current ID are offered one free ticket. To order, please call the box office at 631-451-4163.

Upcoming fundraiser hopes to rebuild beach devastated by recent storms in Rocky Point

by Julianne Mosher - October 18, 2024

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Soundview Drive near Robin Road has been hit with extensive storm damage. Photo from Michael Armando

By Julianne Mosher

The plan is to put a spell on you all for a good cause.

With high-impact storms hitting Long Island over the past year, local communities have been having trouble recovering from wind, water and debris-filled damage. In Rocky Point, the North Shore Beach Property Owners Association (NSBPOA) experienced ruined beaches and access points and roads that need dire repair.

To raise funds to fix these expensive problems, NSBPOA is hosting a post-Halloween party at their historic clubhouse featuring music from the Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins band — the blues artist known for “I Put a Spell on You” — a perfect tune for the spooky holiday bash to be held on Nov. 9.

Michael Armando, a former board member of NSBPOA and the guitarist in the band, said that this Halloween concert is open to the public, not just members of the association.

“We’re hoping to raise money to repair the damage from the heavy rain we had,” he said.

Soundview Drive, which is a private road owned by the association, but which is open to the public, was ruined after Long Island was rocked with 10-inch-high flooding in August. The problem, Armando said, is that while the road is private, it is accessible to everyone including buses, garbage trucks, and plows from the Town of Brookhaven. However, since it’s privately funded, the town cannot pay for its repairs or help maintain it.

“We don’t get help from the town, but they use the roads too,” he said. “Fixing the roads is a public benefit.”

The Resurrection of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Band will perform at the event.

As an added bonus, the party will feature music from The Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Band — a tribute project that brings the music of the legendary Screamin’ Jay Hawkins back to life. Armando, who was the original guitarist for the original band in the 70, said that they don’t just perform Hawkins’ music, but they also aim to recreate the wild and theatrical essence of his performances. Other members of the band include Shakar “TheRealShakar” Brumfield on vocals, Tex on saxophone, Andrew Golba on bass and Michael Fox on drums.

NSBPOA is celebrating 96 years, according to vice president Gina Carpenter. She said that in 1928, a New York City newspaper, the New York Daily Mirror, owned undeveloped land between Rocky Point and Miller Place. An advertisement offered subscribers the opportunity to buy a 20-by 80-foot parcel through the subscription of just $89.50 as a “get away from it all” summer home.

“People came by train — there was just a dirt road leading up to the bungalows,” she said.

The association came out of the summer season regulars who would help maintain the beaches and who created a sense of community together while they vacationed on the North Shore. Today, Carpenter said the association has over 600 members and it’s open to anyone looking to have access to a small piece of paradise which includes more than a mile of beach, kayaking, fishing and boating.

That’s why having members in the group is so important, Carpenter said, because “we’re a nonprofit, so when things happen, we’re not eligible for certain grants.”

“It’s a big undertaking maintaining the roads and beaches,” she added. “To rebuild and repair, we heavily rely on donors and fundraising.”

Armando said that anyone can join — members don’t need to live exclusively in Rocky Point.

“The beach association is an environmentally friendly group that takes care of the beach, the bluff and planting on the bluff,” he said. “Whatever we can get to help will go to the repairs along with all of these other things.”

“This is a hidden gem that not many people know about,” Carpenter said. “An event like this is not only fun, but people can see our clubhouse, get to know some of us and learn more about the association.”

The belated Halloween party fundraiser will benefit the NSBPOA on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at 55 Clubhouse Drive in Rocky Point. Tickets are $40 and the event will have basket raffles, a 50/50 and include a free wine glass voucher. Costumes are welcomed for those still feeling the spooky season. Tickets can be purchased online at northshorebeach.org or at the door.

‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’ at SCCC in Selden sheds new light on your favorite childhood fairy tales

by Julianne Mosher - October 10, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Not all fairy tales have a happy ending despite what “the mouse” wants you to think.

Don Zolidis’ The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is Suffolk County Community College’s latest production at Theatre 119 located on the Ammerman Campus in Selden. The show recreates all 209 fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm including Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more. But don’t expect the fairy Godmother to make an appearance or for the characters to break into song — this isn’t a Disney show.

When the red curtain opens, we’re introduced to two narrators, River Monastero and Krystian Karwowski. Dressed in the most whimsical costumes (from designer Andrew Wittkamper), the two attempt to tell the fables and tales combined into one giant story in a fast-paced and super clever extravaganza. Both have a way of sharing the tales with a great presence on stage.

Directed by Bryan Kimmelman, the show has no intermission, which means the audience gets a full hour-and-a-half of a hysterically fun (and sometimes improved) show that is different than anything else you’ve ever seen before.

Set in various fairy tale locations, the story begins with a dirt-poor girl who makes three deals with the devil, a witch, and Rumpelstiltskin. The girl meets a prince, falls in love, finds riches and has a baby (who ends up being an angsty teenage Rapunzel dressed in her leather jacket and cell phone in hand). We learn that Rapunzel’s grandmother was actually Gretel (of Hansel and Gretel) and from there on several fables and fairy tales intertwine into one large hodgepodge of silly, chaos, magic and randomness.

The show features modern and exaggerated humor, and the actors add modern interpretations to the stories — for example a sassy fashion show where the stage turns into a catwalk to prove who really is the fairest of them all.

The talented students of SCCC play multiple parts — a feat that proves difficult considering the show is so quickly paced. Karwowski shines playing the narrator (along with the devil and as dwarf number 2), while other actors including Nicholas Maggipinto (the actor, Hansel, Johannes), John Woolard (dirt merchant prince, prince number 2), Isabella Romero (Snow White, the enchantress), Kite Harrison (witch number 2, Rumpelstiltskin), Christina Keller (Plinkie Plie, Rapunzel), Aiden Gomez (the king, dwarf number 1, heckling audience member), Mia Lombardi (the girl, Gretel, Cinderella) and Mollie Sebor (the witch, the talking raven and the queen) show off their talent by switching characters not only by act, but within the same scene.

You might want to brush up on your Grimm’s fairy tales, though, because they also delve into some of the more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother. The narrators often break the fourth wall, so be prepared to get involved as you are expected to help prevent Hansel and Gretel from going into the witch’s house by yelling, “don’t go in there!” anytime they make a poor decision (as one does in any good horror movie).

You’ll laugh your gold slippers off (no, not glass slippers … again, this isn’t Disney), so be sure to check this show out.

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon in Theatre 119, Islip Arts Building, SCCC Ammerman, 533 College Road, Selden on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. General admission is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students with current ID are offered one free ticket. To order, please call the box office at 631-451-4163.

Volunteers needed to help continue mission of Island Heart Food Pantry

by Julianne Mosher - October 4, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

A local food pantry is seeking out volunteers to prevent closing its doors.

For more than 40 years, the Island Heart Food Pantry in Middle Island — a mission of the Mt. Sinai Congregational Church — has served thousands of people across Long Island. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in 2020, the pantry has not been able to fully recover after a significant loss of volunteers — all while still needing to help feed the food insecure.

Director of the pantry Kathy Lahey said that in 2023, Island Heart served 24,000 people and, prior to the pandemic, they had roughly 40 volunteers on site. They were open several days a week, which allowed those struggling to stop in and “shop” its shelves filled with fresh produce, dairy, groceries and hygiene products. However, during the pandemic, they needed to change their model to a drive-up service where volunteers would package a box of goods depending on a family’s size and bring it out to their cars outside of the building. That model still applies today, but due to the lessened number of help, they are only able to stay open one day a week.

As of now, they are only open on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. But despite being open for just three hours, in September the pantry served 354 families — 1,604 individuals in total.

“During COVID, we were getting a lot of help from donors and it was great,” Lahey said. “But once COVID ended, the number of people in need hasn’t gone down, but the donations and volunteers have.”

Lahey said that many of the volunteers moved away, have aged out or simply decided not to come back and since then, they’ve had a hard time staffing the pantry, operating solely on a skeleton crew.

“We’re one of the biggest pantries in Suffolk County,” she added. “We’re very active and a much-needed resource so we really need people to step up and help.”

Part of the volunteer search includes the crucial role of finding someone who has a large truck or vehicle. Lahey said they are in dire need of individuals who are able to pick up food from the Long Island Cares food pantry in Hauppauge as well as donations from Trader Joe’s in Lake Grove to bring back to the pantry, unload and stock the shelves on a weekly basis.

“I’ve reached out to colleges, high schools, but we need people involved who want to stay with us,” she added. “It takes a village. It’s not just the church — we need the community at large to come in and help their neighbors in need.”

According to Long Island Cares, 234,000 Long Islanders are food insecure with 65,000 estimated to be children. Approximately 40 percent of these households are above the poverty level, but do not make enough to keep up with the high cost of living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Paule Pachter, president and CEO of Long Island Cares, said that their food bank offers nonperishable and perishable foods focusing on 19 staples including rice, eggs, pasta, soup, peanut butter and other groceries that provide a complete and healthy meal. The organization provides food and funding to 336 agencies consisting of nearly 300 local, community-based emergency food pantries in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

“Most of our food pantries operate on a client-choice model that allows families to select the food they want. As Long Island’s regional food bank, we provide food that is ordered from our online menu, and many of our agencies recommend the foods we should purchase,” Pachter said. “Since many people struggling with food insecurity also have medical issues, such as diabetes, obesity and heart problems, it’s crucial that the food we provide is nutritious, low-fat, low-sugar, protein-rich and more.”

Lahey said that the local food banks and the donations from Trader Joe’s “have been amazing to work with.”

So, as the cooler weather approaches and the holiday season starts to creep in, donating time (or food!) is welcomed at Island Heart Food Pantry.

“The guests are super nice and super grateful … You get to know them and their families and you feel good about yourself,” Lahey said. “You’re definitely making a difference whether it be for an hour, two or three. Whatever you can give, you’ll feel good about it at the end. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.”

Island Heart Food Pantry is located at 643 Middle Country Rd, Middle Island. Volunteers are needed to assist with their weekly food pick-up from Long Island Cares at 10 Davids Drive, Hauppauge, to the pantry in Middle Island on either Tuesday or Wednesday. A large vehicle/truck is needed. They are also in need of a Wednesday morning pick-up/delivery person around 10 a.m. from Trader Joe’s near Smith Haven Mall to the pantry in Middle Island. Both positions can be on a weekly or an intermittent basis.

For more information, please call 631-473-1582.

Theater Review: Whodunit mystery ‘Clue’ opens at the John W. Engeman Theater

by Julianne Mosher - September 27, 2024

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A hilarious comedy based on the movie and board game comes to life in Northport

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By Julianne Mosher

Not sure what to do next weekend? Well, here’s a clue.

The John W. Engeman Theater’s latest production of CLUE is a witty murder mystery filled with twists and turns all based on the 1985 film starring Tim Curry that was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game.

It begins in 1954 at the Boddy Manor, an eerie, isolated mansion where six random guests are invited under unusual circumstances to a dinner party. Welcomed by the butler, Wadsworth (Michael Keyloun) and Yvette, the maid (Arianne Davidow), each guest comes to the door unsure as to why they were invited by the mansion’s owner, Mr. Boddy (Cody Gerszewski).

Each guest is called by a pseudonym for confidentiality: Colonel Mustard (Danny Rothman), Mrs. White (Christina DeCicco), Mrs. Peacock (Thursday Farrar), Mr. Green (Patrick Harvey), Professor Plum (Ken King) and Miss Scarlet (Lauren Weinberg). All from different backgrounds (for example, Mrs. Peacock is wife to a high-profile senator, Mrs. White’s three husbands mysteriously died and Miss Scarlet is a popular Washington D.C. madam), they share one thing — a secret.

At the start of the evening, the cook of the mansion (Suzanne Mason) brings out dinner and the guests discover they all hold government influence in one form or another. When Mr. Boddy finally arrives, he explains that he is blackmailing the group. Wadsworth is told to call the police and Boddy hands the guests six weapons as “gifts” to kill the butler in order to protect their secrets; a candlestick, rope, lead pipe, wrench, revolver and dagger.

The theater’s lights go out and a there’s a loud gunshot. Mr. Boddy is dead on the floor. But who did it?

To figure out who the killer of the group is, they split up and while walking through the mansion are met with all different shenanigans. They’re met with visits from outsiders who are somehow related to people in the house — like the motorist (Gerszewski), a telegram girl (Mason) and a cop (Jeremy McClelland). They end up dead, too.

In just 90 minutes, the board game comes to life on stage with colorful characters leaving the audience wondering who, where and with what.

With a small cast, each actor embodies the characters of the game and movie with perfection. Keyloun’s portrayal of the butler (made famous by Tim Curry in the film) has the audience belly laugh with his wit and expressive skill as he moves across the stage. Other standout performances include Davidow, Rothman, DeCicco, Farrar, Harvey, King, Weinberg, Gerszewski, Mason and McClelland who are hysterical in their own ways; whether it’s Miss Scarlet’s seductive humor or Mr. Green’s silly clumsiness, there was always a smile in the crowd.

Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin, the Engeman’s production is directed by Marc Tumminelli. The costume design from Dustin Cross is representative of the characters we’ve seen on the board games’ cards with a 1950s fashionable flair that colors the eerie stage set (designed by Kyle Dixon).

The stage set as the manor is an impressive one. Not only does one feel like they’re in the foyer of the house, but when they need to be in the parlor, the dining room or the den, the stage has doors that open and pull out to the room where the characters are inside. The doors are used often and usually in a campy way.

So, was it Professor Plum with the revolver in the parlor? Or maybe it was Colonel Mustard with the wrench in the hall? One thing is for sure … it should be you with a ticket in hand parked in a seat to watch this fantastic show.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents CLUE through Oct. 27. The season continues with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Nov. 14 to Dec. 29. Tickets range from $80 to $100 with free valet parking. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘Matilda the Musical’ shines bright at Theatre Three

by Julianne Mosher - September 19, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

One of the last musical numbers during Theatre Three’s latest production of Matilda the Musical is called “Revolting Children,” but the cast of this show is far from it.

Based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl and the 1996 movie starring Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito, the musical is a fun and enchanting twist that will make all ages in the audience smile.

Written by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, Matilda follows the story of a spectacularly smart child who lives in an unhappy home with dimwitted parents. Matilda (played by the extraordinarily talented Sadie Mathers — who is readily on the path to stardom), finds solace in the library where she reads books upon books while also sharing tales she makes up in her head to the local librarian, Mrs. Phelps (Michelle LaBozzetta).

Her family, the Wormwoods, don’t read. In fact, they’re lazy and dumb. Matilda’s father, played by Steven Uihlein, is a crooked car salesman who refuses to acknowledge the young girl as his daughter, and her mother, played by Rachel Geiser, is an amateur ballroom dancer who only cares about her looks — not her family. Matilda has a brother, Michael, played by Jax Segal, who does not speak and stares at the TV throughout the entire show, remote in hand.

To teach her some discipline, Mr. Wormwood ships Matilda off to a private academy headed by Miss. Trunchbull (Liam Marsigliano), a former Olympian who hates children and wishes for a world without them. Luckily, Matilda and her classmates find comfort knowing their teacher, Miss Honey (Veronica Fox), loves them and tries to make their school days better despite their dreary and frightening walls.

Throughout the play, Matilda shares a tale of an escapologist (Eric J. Hughes) and his wife, the acrobat (Josie McSwane) that she makes up in her head. The characters, however, seem to match with certain people the young girl meets and encounters in her daily life.

Compared to the movie, the musical version of Matilda is set in England so the ensemble needed to not only learn the lyrics to difficult songs, but do it with a cockney accent — the child actors included. The talent of the entire cast is remarkable with its leadership from musical director Jeffrey Hoffman and choreography from Sari Feldman with dance moves and vocal ranges fit for Broadway.

And if you’re a fan of film, you’ll be surprised with a similar plot but with different twists and turns.

From the campy costumes full of color — minus the school uniforms, of course — (designed by Jason Allyn) to the set design that integrates video using TV monitors framing the stage (Randall Parsons), the attention to detail is nothing short from extraordinary.

So, you better go see this show or else you’ll be thrown in the chokey and give this group of actors the standing ovation they continuously deserve.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Matilda the Musical through Oct. 20. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

All photos by Steve Kyle/Showbizshots

Actor Eric Roberts to hold book signing at the Cinema Arts Centre

by Julianne Mosher - September 12, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Academy Award nominated actor Eric Roberts’ first memoir is being released this month and he is kicking off his book tour on Long Island.

Part of the famous Roberts family (including his sister Julia and daughter Emma), the 68-year-old actor is publishing his first memoir, Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far next week. To celebrate, he has chosen the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington as his first stop on the tour.

“This is the first appearance that he’s making as the book is being released so we’re really honored and delighted he would choose us,” said Jud Newborn, Emmy Award-winning producer of special programs at the Centre. “It’s wonderful to be appreciated.”

On Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. the evening will start with a screening of the 1985 film Runaway Train followed by a discussion with the actor, audience Q&A, gala book signing and reception featuring food and live jazz music by New York Times-acclaimed guitarist Mike Soloway.

The film, which stars Roberts, Jon Voight, and Rebecca DeMornay, tells the story of two convicts who escape a prison in snowy Alaska, battling the desolate landscape until they board an empty train — only to discover that the engineer has had a heart attack as the train accelerates out of control.

Roberts was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the film and it is rarely screened in a live setting, Newborn said.

“Eric Roberts is actually one of the most prolific actors in the world,” he added. “I was dumbfounded when I read that he was in more than 700 films.”

Roberts grew up in Georgia, spending most of his teens away from his mother and sisters and instead stayed with his controlling father, a grifter jealous of his early success. At age 17, he moved to New York to pursue acting, where he worked and partied with future legends like Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis and Robin Williams.

His big break came when he was cast in “King of the Gypsies,” becoming one of the hottest stars of the era. While his younger sister, Julia, has held a career based on her “squeaky clean, girl next door” persona, Roberts has had a life and career filled with ups and downs including arrests, drug addiction and a near-death car accident.

Newborn, who will be moderating the discussion, said that people are drawn to these events because the Centre brings in guests who can speak to the concerns and interests of people — and have been since it was opened in 1973.

“It’s going to be a lovely evening and another special Cinema Arts Centre event which we’re famous for,” he said. “We bring in such astounding artists, it’s really mind boggling.”

Roberts’ memoir is said to show a candid look inside his life discussing the ups and downs of his career, his stormy relationship with Julia and how he confronted his demons with the help of his wife, Eliza. Written with New York Times bestselling author Sam Kashner, this memoir plans to have people talking.

“I think our guests are going to be surprised,” Newborn said. “I’ve always found Eric Roberts to be compelling and unconventional in a way that is so intriguing … He has appeared in every kind of medium you can imagine; film, TV, music videos, voice over work and he’s a character actor.”

Tickets for the event are $52 for the public and $42 for members. It includes the film screening, a copy of the memoir that will be signed by Roberts in person, and the reception. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org or click here.

Other celebrity guests scheduled for appearances at the Cinema Arts Centre this fall include director Barry Sonnenfeld on Oct. 8, actor George Takei on Oct. 15; Moon Unit Zappa (daughter of Frank Zappa) on Oct. 27; and actor Tim Matheson on Nov. 12. For further information, call 631-423-7610.

Elle-evate your summer with ‘Legally Blonde’ at the Engeman

by Julianne Mosher - July 18, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Get your pink blazer on and swipe on some lip gloss for the John W. Engeman theater in Northport’s latest production of Legally Blonde The Musical.

Based on the 2001 hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, the 2007 Broadway musical, written by Heather Hach, hints to a lot of the famous movie moments and quotes, but certainly has its own identity and it’s just as good as the famous 00’s comedy.

But it couldn’t have gained the standing ovation it received on the theater’s opening night if it weren’t for the talented cast and crew who took on quite a challenge with Jay Gamboa’s choreography and direction from Trey Compton.

The show starts out with a simple stage design, headed by Kyle Dixon, of a Delta Nu doorframe at Elle Woods’ (Emma Flynn Bespolka) UCLA sorority house. There, we meet her best friends and sorority sisters, Margot (Lara Hayhurst), Serena (Juliana Lamia) and Pilar (Bridgette Carey) who are writing out a congratulations card for Elle who thinks she’s getting engaged to her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (Nathan Haltiwanger).

The girls, dressed in their best 2000s-styled clothes (low rise jeans, a lot of color and bedazzles) learn from Elle’s dog, Bruiser, (Little Ricky and Cha Cha), that the soon-to-be bride is at the mall finding the most perfect dress. Always on cue with his scripted barks, jumps and licks, Bruiser with his minimal appearances had the audience in awe at what a good boy he is under the stage lights.

After finding the perfect outfit, hair done and makeup on, Elle meets Warner at a restaurant where he tells her he wants to get serious with her … Down on one knee he takes her hand and much to her surprise and dismay breaks up with her. Afterall, he’s going to law school to kickstart his political career and he needs “a Jackie, not a Marilyn.”

Two weeks of mourning of her idea of marriage falling apart, Elle decides to follow Warner to Harvard Law School. Although she has a degree in fashion merchandising from UCLA, with the financial help of her wealthy parents (Emily Bacino Althaus and Matt DeNoto), and a fantastic cheerleading-inspired live dance performance at Harvard clad in glitter and pink, she (shockingly) gets in and heads to the east coast. What, like it’s hard?

At Harvard, she introduces herself to her classmates, Emmett (Quinn Corcoran), Aaron (Christian Melhuish), Sundeep (Yash Ramanujam) and Enid (Haley Izurieta), as a Gemini who once told Beyonce that orange is definitely not the new pink. Everyone except for Emmett doesn’t take her seriously and backs away, heading to the tough Professor Callahan’s class (James D Sasser) where Elle learns Warner is dating a true “Jackie,” Vivienne Kensington (Nicole Fragala).

Throughout the rest of Act I, we see Elle struggle with acceptance as she tries to bring her sunny California personality to the gloomy New England university, while also trying to woo her ex back into her life (and dealing with his judgmental and jealous new girlfriend). The musical brings the iconic scene from the screen when Vivienne and her friends invite Elle to a costume party – but it’s not – and she learns that the hard way as she shows up as a Playboy Bunny.

Luckily for Elle, we meet her new best friend who becomes her support system, Paulette (Chanel Edwards-Frédérick), a hair dresser with a sad backstory. Paulette gushes over the new UPS driver, Kyle (Jeffrey Keller), who doesn’t have a lot of lines, but you’ll laugh until your stomach hurts at his seductive walk through the theater and suggestive jokes that have all the girls (and guys) in the beauty salon swoon. Eventually Paulette wins him over by the 99.99 percent effective “bend and snap.”

Back in Elle’s life, she gets added to Professor Callahan’s legal team to represent a former Delta Nu workout superstar, Brooke Wyndham (Julianne Roberts), who is accused of killing her husband. We’re introduced to her in Act II at the woman’s prison where she is demonstrating what is probably the most intense choreography the audience has ever witnessed – a whole song and dance involving constant jump roping. Roberts, with her impeccable lungs, doesn’t miss a beat and double jump with no flaws in her vocal range receiving a long-winded applause when the number is over. You’ll be tired watching her.

From now on, we’re in court learning about Brooke’s story and who might have actually killed her husband. Using her knowledge of all thing’s beauty, Elle wins the case because everyone knows that you don’t take a shower after a perm…

This show is the most fun you’ll have and with a large cast of 25 talented actors (and two talented pups), you’ll always see something new. The lead role of Elle couldn’t have been better picked as Bespolka truly embodies the character in every sense. In fact, even the ensemble who appeared in only one or two numbers continuously also stole the show.

So, don’t object to this great opportunity and see for yourself what a great play this is.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Legally Blonde The Musical through August 25. The Main Stage season continues with the murder mystery Clue from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27. Tickets range from $80 to $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

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Julianne Mosher

Engeman Theater’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is a sweet adventure on stage

Theatre Three’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ brings back our favorite holiday tradition

SCCC Selden brings a taste of Shakespeare to Shea Theatre

Upcoming fundraiser hopes to rebuild beach devastated by recent storms in Rocky Point

‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’ at SCCC in Selden sheds new light on your favorite childhood fairy tales

Volunteers needed to help continue mission of Island Heart Food Pantry

Theater Review: Whodunit mystery ‘Clue’ opens at the John W. Engeman Theater

‘Matilda the Musical’ shines bright at Theatre Three

Actor Eric Roberts to hold book signing at the Cinema Arts Centre

Elle-evate your summer with ‘Legally Blonde’ at the Engeman

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