It used to be that melon was melon.Period.My mother used to halve or quarter a cantaloupe or honeydew, scoop out the seeds, plunk the salt shaker on the table, and that was melon the only way I knew it. Watermelon got a little different treatment; it was halved or quartered and sliced into triangles, but there was no salt.
But now melon has become a whole new phenomenon. Used in an amazing variety of preparations and dishes, it’s all grown up and no longer a loner, but an actual ingredient in myriad recipes.
You are probably familiar with cantaloupe or honeydew with prosciutto and watermelon with feta cheese, two winning combos that are testimony to sweet and salty being ideal complements to each other. Maybe you’ve even had melon gazpacho or soup or salad where it’s enhanced by savory herbs, spices and veggies. My mother would be incredulous!
Melon Salad with Shrimp,Prosciutto and Feta
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and cooked
Freshly squeezed juice of one lemon
3 pounds melon, seeded, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
8 slices prosciutto, torn into bite size pieces
1/2 cup crumbled feta
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, toss together the shrimp, lemon juice, and melon mixture with onion, jalapeño and bell pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, honey, oil, salt and pepper. When ready to serve, toss shrimp and melon mixture with lime juice mixture and top with prosciutto and feta. Serve immediately with corn bread. .
Melon Salsa
YIELD: Makes about 3 cups
INGREDIENTS:
Zest from 1 small lime
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
Freshly ground white pepper to taste
3 cups seeded and minced cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon or a combination
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1 mango, peeled and finely diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 small onion, peeled and minced
Leaves from one sprig fresh basil, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl combine the lime zest, juice, sugar and pepper; add remaining ingredients, toss, cover, and refrigerate up to 4 hours. Serve with tortilla chips as an hors d’oeuvre or with grilled beef, pork or chicken
Green Gazpacho with Honeydew
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 ripe honeydew melon, seeded, removed from rind and coarsely chopped
1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 ripe kiwi, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup seedless green grapes, washed, halved
1 cup packed arugula
1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
4 scallions, white and green parts sliced
1 serrano chili, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Freshly squeezed juice of one lime
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ripe avocado, peeled and coarsely sliced or chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
In the bowl of an electric food processor, puree the melon, cucumber, kiwi, grapes, arugula, basil, cilantro, scallions, chili, oil, vinegar, lime juice, sugar, avocado and salt and pepper; stop to scrape bowl often. When smooth, transfer to large bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least one hour.Ladle into four soup bowls, top each with a dollop of sour cream and serve with a corn, bean and tomato salad.
When Jacqueline Olsen learned the day before her birthday last November that she needed surgery for lung cancer, she felt anxious about a procedure she knew could be painful and could involve a lengthy recovery.
“It’s not only my birthday, it’s Thanksgiving,” said Olsen, who is a resident of St. James and is an agent for personal insurance such as home, auto and umbrella insurance. “Everybody was real tense. It was not a pleasant holiday.”
Olsen’s father, William Leonard, and father-in-law, James Olsen, had died of lung cancer after having open chest surgeries. The pain of what her father went through 48 years ago and father-in-law over 20 years ago was fresh in her mind as she readied herself for her own procedure.
Dr. Ankit Dhamija
Speaking with doctors at Stony Brook University Hospital, Olsen heard about newer, better options.
Dr. Ankit Dhamija, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Director of Thoracic Robotic Surgery at Stony Brook Medicine, suggested to Olsen that she was a candidate for a robot-assist surgery called the da Vinci Surgical System.
Olsen and her family gathered considerable information about the procedure.
“I did some research on it and it said it would be a faster recovery and I would be up and back to my normal self pretty soon afterward,” said Olsen. “It seemed like a less invasive surgery.”
The robotic surgery does not involve turning over the procedure to a machine, Dr. Dhamija explained.
Instead, the process involves making considerably smaller incisions and guiding the robot through the body to remove the cancerous tissue.
“The robot is a machine that is an extension of our hands,” said Dr. Dhamija, who has performed about 500 such procedures with the help of a robot, including around 70 since he arrived at Stony Brook.
The robotic system allows surgeons like Dr. Dhamija and Dr. Henry Tannous, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Chief of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division at Stony Brook Medicine, among others, to sit in the operating room with the patient while the robot enters through an incision. The robot provides a three dimensional view of the inside of the body, magnifying cells by ten times.
The robot assist can also improve the ability of surgeons to perform fine operations.
The system “does have a machine algorithm associated with it that actually is known to reduce tremors in surgeons that have tremors,” said Dr. Dhamija. “Someone that may not be able to do a certain portion of the operation due to their technical limitations can subsequently do it with the robot.”
Dr. Henry Tannous
In the procedure, the surgeon can see and maneuver through the body effectively, searching for the specific cells to remove.
An interventional radiologist can inject a dye which under CT guidance allows the surgeon to “see where the lesion is and to verify that you have adequate margins” or the border between cancerous and non-cancerous cells, Dr. Dhamija said. “Having the dye in there to identify [the cancer] is helpful,” he added.
By using the robot instead of creating a large incision, doctors can reduce the time patients spend in a hospital down to as little as one to three days from the four to eight days after an open chest lobectomy.
“There’s so much to be said about someone [recovering] in their own home,” said Dr. Dhamija. They “get to sleep properly, their bowel habits are more normal, and they get to reengage in their daily life functions sooner. I’m a big proponent of a patient taking charge of their own postoperative care.”
Indeed, Stony Brook doctors have become so confident and comfortable with the robot assist that it has become the main platform for thoracic oncology patients at Stony Brook Medicine, explained Dr. Tannous. Tannous estimates that 90 percent of the lobectomies will be performed robotically in 2022, up from 10 to 20 percent in 2021.
In an email, Dr. Tannous wrote that other specialties that have adopted the robotic platform include gynecology, urology, colorectal, bariatrics, and general surgery.
Stony Brook is also expanding robotic surgery to include cardiac procedures in 2023.
Dr. Tannous said robotic procedures that cut down on recovery time means less risk of hospital-acquired infections, lower extremities blood clots, and numerous other benefits.
Some day, theoretically, the robot may enable remote procedures, with surgeons operating the robot with the help of an on-site local medical team. That could be helpful for astronauts who develop a medical problem far from home where they need emergency surgery.
An important caveat with that, Dr. Dhamija said, is that the staff on site would need to be able to complete a procedure if an open chest surgery became necessary.
Olsen, who was out of the hospital less than 24 hours after she had surgery in late May, has become a fan of the technology and of the team at Stony Brook.
Olsen, who has three scars on her back and two on her side, felt pain for about a week. As she recovered, she never felt the need to fill a prescription for a stronger painkiller, choosing to treat the pain with Motrin. She plans to continue to take blood tests every three months and to get CAT scans every six months.
Olsen was thrilled with the quality of care she received and is pleased she can look forward to sharing quality summer time during the family’s annual beach trip. “It’s heaven to me,” she said, where she can “spoil my grandchildren.
As for a perspective on her surgery, she said the difference between 20 years ago and now is “unbelievable. It was such an awful experience” for her father and father in law. “This was a million times better.”
Did you know that almost half of America doesn’t vote, even in presidential elections? Elections for state and county officials, school board members, and fire department members have even fewer voters.
Our primaries that are scheduled for August 23 will be open only to those registered in a party, and even those may not vote. The will of the people is reflected in the results of elections. In an effort to get 100% participation in our elections, groups like the League of Women Voters are supporting same-day registration (already in place in 23 states).
Concerned about the low percentage of voters, Miles Rappaport and E. J. Dionne have written 100%: The Case for Universal Voting. They relate the experience of Australia, which requires all citizens to vote, just as we require all citizens to perform jury duty; they suggest ways of automatically registering voters, as we now do with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
In 2022, Get Out The Vote efforts must be stronger, louder, and even more creative. We can register millions, but if only thousands vote, have we truly empowered voters?
When the country was founded, voting was not secret, and the men who were eligible to vote, by virtue of race and sex and income, met in public to decide who they would choose. Nowadays, everyone 18 years or over is legally entitled to vote, and can vote privately, although some are prevented from casting their ballots by suppressive state legislation.
Data from The American Presidency Project at U.C. Santa Barbara shows that 67% of eligible voters voted during the pandemic in the U.S. presidential election of 2020, but it was a record high compared with earlier elections (the election in 2012, for instance, had votes from 54.9 percent of the eligible voters).
In 1965 the Federal Government’s Voting Rights Act acknowledged the need to protect the rights of all to register and vote, especially in states where there had been racial discrimination, although that protection was weakened in 2013 by the U.S. Supreme Court in Shelby vs. Holder.
Reaching potential voters has become more difficult as our population has become more transient, which has led many voter rights organizations to increase their efforts to find new ways to appeal to voters. Rock the Vote was founded in 2010 to recruit potential voters on beaches, targeting youth aged 18 to 24 who represent the citizens least likely to vote. (Adults over 65 are the most likely to vote.) Training volunteers as “captains” to canvass their social networks of friends and neighbors is effective, with a follow up to answer any questions and provide support. Many groups enlisted volunteers to make phone calls to a list of registered voters. They found that a personable, non-rigid manner increased the turnout, especially if they went off-script and sounded like a real person, not a robot.
Working to get out the vote is something we can all do. On your own, with your family and friends and neighbors, you can ask them to plan to vote by asking them when they plan to vote and how they plan to get there. (In a campaign to encourage people to vote, it is important to remain neutral and nonpartisan, refraining from expressing your view about the best candidates.)
If you would like to do more, visit the League of Women Voters of New York’s website lwvny.org/league-toolkits/ Click on GOTV toolkit, or Voter Registration Drive toolkit.
Rock the Vote (www.rockthevote.org) focuses on getting young people to vote, and Glaad (www.glaad.org/vote) focuses on LGBTQ people and their allies. Both welcome volunteers and can provide information about voting dates and places. If you wish to support a particular candidate, contact their campaign office to offer to make phone calls. We need to reach citizens in every part of the country to be sure their views are represented.
As our population changes demographically, it is especially important for everyone to learn to work together to create and maintain a healthy society, beginning with our participation in elections.
Nancy Marr is Vice-President of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.lwv-suffolkcounty.org or call 631-862-6860.
VINTAGE EUROPEAN
The 17th annual Vintage European Sports Car & Motorcycle Show heads to the Stony Brook Community Church on Aug. 13. Photo from Malcolm Bowman
Thursday August 11
Huntington Walking Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will host a Centers of Controversy guided walking tour from 6 to 9 p.m. Visits sites in central Huntington that gave rise over the centuries to scandals, lawsuits, and other controversies. Tour ends at Six Harbors Brewing Company. Tickets are $25, $20 members (drinks not included). Tours will begin at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main Street,Huntington. Reservations are required. Call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistorical.org
Art of the Guitar Festival
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook kicks off the second annual John Monteleone Art of the Guitar Festival tonight at 6 p.m. with a reception, exhibit viewing and two concerts and continues Aug. 12 and 13. The three day event will feature more than 18 musicians over the days and nights and include performances by Monteleone, Russell Malone Quartet, Anthony Wilson Trio, John Pizzarelli Trio, Tal Yahalom Quartet and Ratko Zjaca Duo with James Commack and a screening of the documentary The Chisels Are Calling. Call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org for festival schedule and ticket prices.
Vanderbilt Planetarium lecture
Join the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport for a lecture withEric K. Washington, a New York City-based independent historian, on the life of James H. Williams from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Washington’s lecture will draw heavily from his years of archival research and from his acclaimed 2019 book Boss of the Grips: The Life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal (Liveright Publishing). Tickets are $10 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Smithtown Library concert
The Dennis Cannataro Family Summer Concert Series concludes at the Smithtown Main Library, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown tonight at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by The Gold Coast Orchestra (Motown). Bring a chair or blanket for seating. For more information, call 360-2480 ext.150 after 3 p.m.
Harborside Concerts
The Village of Port Jefferson continues its free Harborside Concert series at the Show Mobile at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson with Refugee at 8 p.m. Bring seating. For more information, call-473-4724 or visit www.portjeff.com.
Friday August 12
Art of the Guitar Festival
See Aug. 11 listing.
Happenings on Main Street
The Northport Arts Coalition presents a free concert by the Kerry Kearney Band at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor at 7 p.m. as part of its Happenings on Main Street Series. Bring seating. Call 827-6827 or visit www.northportarts.org.
Concert at the Library
Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket invites the community to an outdoor concerts on the lawn from 6:30 to 8 p.m. featuring jazz, blues and Americana ensemble CB Jacobs and the Say Hey Crew (Claudia Jacobs and musical collaborators Mark Coffey, Dan Weymouth, Kevin Twigg and perhaps a secret guest or two). No registration required. Questions? Call 941-4080.
Tribute to Carole King
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its 2022 Summer Concert Series with Carole’s Kings — All Male Tribute to Carole King at 8 p.m. With lush orchestrations from the same team as Broadway’s “Beautiful” and a cast of three incredibly talented New York stage veterans, Carole’s Kings is a dynamic act jam-packed with chart-topping sensations such as “The Locomotion,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” and many more. Tickets are $59. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Comedy In The Café
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave. Huntington presents Comedy in The Cafe with comedian Nick Griffin at 9:30 p.m. A comic for more than 25 years, Griffin’s smart, sarcastic and hilarious style makes him one of the most well-respected in the business. Tickets are $17, $13 members. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
Saturday August 13
Art of the Guitar Festival
See Aug. 11 listing.
Run on the Farm
Get ready, set, go! The 8th Annual Run the Farm 4-Mile Challenge at Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Road, Centereach will kick off at 9 a.m. (Kids Fun Run at 8:30 a.m.) Friends of Hobbs Farm and Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle invite you to lace up those sneakers and traverse a 4-mile course whose fast start on roughly two miles of flat terrain precedes a mile of rolling hills and two mildly challenging ascents before concluding at the historic grounds of the farm. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 on race day. Proceeds will support the farm’s mission is devoted to servicing local food pantries and food programs. To register, visit www.hobbsfarm.info. Call 451-6647 for more information.
LISEC Sikaflex Boat Build
LISEC and the Bayles Boat Shop will sponsor the 11th annual Sikaflex “Quick & Dirty” Boat Building Competition at Harborfront Park, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson today and Aug. 14. Up to 122-personteams will construct a boat in four hours today and return on Aug. 14 to decorate their boats and prepare to race them at 3 p.m. Prizes are awarded after the races for design, decoration, first built and race winners. 631-689-8293, www.lisec.org
All Souls Poetry Reading
Join All Souls Church in Stony Brook for its Second Saturdays Poetry Reading via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Barbara Segal. An open-reading will follow the featured poet; all are welcome to read one of their own poems. Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/, For more information, call 655-7798.
European Car Show
Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents its 17th annual Vintage European Sports Car & Motorcycle Show on the front lawn of the church from noon to 4 p.m. with live music by the Barking Men and refreshments. Free admission. Rain date is Aug. 14. Call 751-1097 for more information.
U2 tribute concert
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its Concert in the Courtyard series with a performance by Almost U2 paying tribute to the live experience of the iconic band U2 from 7 to 10 p.m. Held rain or shine. Tickets are $30 per person at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Tribute to the Doobie Brothers
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its 2022 Summer Concert Series with Doobie Brothers tribute band Doobie Others at 8 p.m. From the jammin’ rock of “Long Train Runnin” to the Grammy award winning pop of “What a Fool Believes,” the Doobie Others recreate the powerful multi-part harmonies of the pop hitmakers with stunning accuracy in a fun-filled high energy performance covering an amazing catalog of hits spanning both the Johnston and McDonald eras. Tickets are $59. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Sunday August 14
LISEC Sikaflex Boat Build
See Aug. 13 listing.
Art in the Park
Join the Northport Arts Coalition for an Art in the Park festival at Northport Village Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring music, dance, poetry readings and other performances plus more than thirty artists displaying and selling their original work, this free event in Northport Park is a fun day for the entire family. Visit www.northportarts.org
Wind Down Sundays
The popular summer concert series continues at Hap’s historic Red Barn at Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket tonight with The New Students (Rock, Bluegrass, Americana) at 5:30 p.m. Bring seating. Call 689-6146 or visit www.frankmelvillepark.org.
Summer Concerts on the Green
Summer concerts are back in front of the Stony Brook Post Office at the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main Street, Stony Brook from 7 to 9 p.m. every Sunday through Aug. 21, courtesy of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. Tonight’s performance will be by the NY Exceptions, a doo-wop band performing songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Free. Bring seating.Call 751-2244 or visit wmho.org.
Monday August 15
Tide Mill Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will lead a tour of the Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill, one of the best preserved 18th century tide mills in the country at 1:30 p.m. The tour begins with a short boat ride from Gold Star Battalion Beach into Puppy Cove, past waterfront mansions with sightings of egrets, ospreys, and visiting waterfowl. Your guide will explain the workings of the mill with some related social history, and each tour participant will receive a comprehensive, illustrated booklet. Ticket are $20 per person, $15 members. To purchase, call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Tuesday August 16
Cooking with the Stars
The Smithtown Historical Society, 239 Main St., Smithtown continues its Cooking With the Stars series, featuring local culinary pros sharing tips, tecnhiques and a taste to bring the community together, with “Vegging Out” tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chef Stephen Gallagher of The Trattoira in St. James will prepare two dishes using seasonally fresh vegetables. This is an outdoor event. $25 in advance, $35 at the door (cash or check). Visit www.eventbrite.com to register. For more information, call 265-6768.
Concerts at The Gazebo
Enjoy Tuesday night concerts at The Gazebo, 127 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset through Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., courtesy of the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce. Tonight’s performance TBA. Rain dates are the next day. Bring seating. Questions? Call 672-5197 or visit www.nesconsetchamber.org
Wednesday August 17
Cruise Night at The Shoppes
Cruise Nights are back at The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River from 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 26. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic and coveted automobiles from car enthusiasts from across Long Island in The Shoppes parking lot. Questions? Call 929-3500 or visit www.eastwindlongisland.com
Summerfest Concerts
The Northport Chamber of Commerce continues off its August Summerfest Concert series at the Northport Village Park Bandshell, Northport with a performance by the Little Wilson Band (Funky Rock ‘n Soul, with a little bit of roll) on Aug. 17 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Bring seating. For more info, call 754-3905.
Port Jefferson Sunset Concert
Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council presents Sunset Concerts at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 31. Tonight’s performance will be by the Ray Lambiase Band. Bring seating. Call 473-5220 or visit www.gpjac.org.
Thursday August 18
St. Joseph’s Family Festival
St. Joseph Parish, 59 Church St., Kings Park hosts a Family Festival tonight from 6 to 10 p.m., Aug. 19 and 20 from 6 to 11 p.m., and Aug. 21 from 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy four days of fun with carnival rides, food, raffles, entertainment and more. Fireworks on Aug. 19. Purchase tickets in advance at www.stjoekp.com/festival or at the door.
Film
‘Shark Tale’/’Finding Nemo’
The 5th annual Farmingville Flicks Movie Series continues with Shark Tale on Aug. 11, Finding Nemo on Aug. 18 and Moana on Aug. 25 at the Local Church, 1070 Portion Road, Farmingville at dusk. Presented by Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce and Sachem Public Library. Bring seating. Free but registration is required by visiting www.farmingvillechamber.com.
‘Sing 2’
Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai continues its Movies in the Moonlight series with a screening of Sing 2 on Aug. 13 at 8:15 p.m. Presented by the North Shore Youth Council and Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker. Free. Bring seating. Questions? Call 403-4846.
‘The Thing’
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, John Carpenter’s The Thing will be screened at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington with new 4K restoration on Aug. 13 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, $5 children 12 and under. To order tickets in advance, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Howl’s Moving Castle’
The Cinema Arts Cenre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema For Kids series with a screening of Howl’s Moving Castle on Aug. 14 at noon. Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman leading her on a quest to break the spell. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children. Call 423-7610.
‘So This Is Paris’
‘So This Is Paris’
As part of its Anything But Silent series, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen Ernst Lubitsch’s So This Is Paris (1926) on Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m. with live theatre organ accompaniment by Ben Model. Tickets are $17, $12 members. To order tickets in advance, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘The Goonies’
Join the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach for an Under the Stars Movie Night free screening of The Goonies on Aug. 17 from 8 to 10 p.m. As this movie will be held outside, patrons should bring their own chairs and blankets. In the event of rain, the program will be rescheduled for Aug. 25. Food truck will be on hand beginning at 7 p.m. Questions? Call 585-9393.
‘Spider Man: No Way Home’
St. James Chamber of Commerce invites the community to Deepwells Farm County Park, 497 Route 25A, St. James for a screening ofSpider Man: No Way Home on Aug. 18 at 7:45 p.m. (rain date is Aug. 25). Free. Bring seating. No pets. Call 584-8510.
‘Encanto’
Northport-East Northport Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force will host a Family Movie Night at Northport Village Park on Aug. 18 at 8:30 p.m. with a free screening of Disney’s Encanto. Bring seating. First 50 attendees will receive a free lawn blanket. Call 516-361-6540 for more info.
Theater
‘Every Brilliant Thing’
Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, in association with Response Crisis Center, presents the Long Island premiere of Every Brilliant Thing, a one-man show starring Jeffrey Sanzel, on the Second Stage Sundays at 3 p.m. from July 10 to Aug. 28. You’re seven years old. Your mother is in the hospital. Your father said she’s “done something stupid.” So, you begin a list of everything that is truly wonderful about the world — everything worth living for. With audience members recruited to take on supporting roles, Every Brilliant Thing is a heart-wrenching, hilarious story of depression and the lengths we will go for those we love. All seats are $20. Fifty percent of the gross proceeds of this production will benefit Response Crisis Center. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘On Your Feet!’
Extended! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan from July 14 to Sept. 3. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making, and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Get ready to get on your feet, and dance to the smash hits “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “1-2-3,” “Live For Loving You,” “Conga,” and many more. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘The Comedy of Errors’
The Carriage House Players continues its annual Shakespeare Festival at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with The Comedy of Errors from July 29 to Aug. 24 on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Performances take place outdoors on stage in the courtyard, where the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of timeless charm and magic. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show and bring your own lawn chair. Inclement weather cancels. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
‘I Love You, You’re Perfect …’
The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents the hit musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change from Aug. 4 to Aug. 14. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, ‘Say, what are you doing Saturday night?’ Tickets are $45 adults, $40 seniors. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org. Read review on page B22.
Class Reunion
Port Jefferson (ELVHS) Class of 1972’s 50th reunion is planned for September 9 and 10, 2022. Please spread the word, and visit Facebook page “Port Jefferson(ELVHS) Class of 1972 50th Reunion” for details or e-mail [email protected].
Vendors Wante
◆ Nesconset Chamber of Commerce seeks vendors for its Nesconset Day street fair along Smithtown Blvd. in Nesconset on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 631-672-5197 for more information.
◆ Davis Town Meeting House Society seeks vendors for its Yard Sale & Craft Fair on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Davis House, 263 Middle Country Rd., Coram. Rain date is Sept. 11. $25 per table. For an application, call Maryanne at 631-804-2256 or email: [email protected].
◆ Port Jefferson Lions Club seeks vendors for its 1st annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Rain date is Sept. 25) Call Warren at 631-258-6165.
◆ Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket is sponsoring a Fall Craft Fair & Barn Sale on the Setauket Village Green (Main St. and Caroline Ave.) on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is Sept. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Limited spaces still available on the Village Green (10’x10’) and covered Carriage Shed (9’x18’). Reserve your spot at depasmarket.com. Questions? Call 631-806-4845.
◆ Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook is seeking vendors for its Apple Festival on Oct.1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Spots (10’ x 10’) are $40 each; vendors can call or text 631-252-0777 for an application.
◆ St. Thomas of Canterbury, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown seeks craft or new merchandise vendors for its Craft Fair and Car Show on Oct. 8 (rain date is Oct. 15 for craft fair only) $50/space. Visit www.stthomasofcanterbury.net or call 631-265-4520 to obtain an application..
◆ Northport Arts Coalition seeks artists and musicians for its annual ArtWalk on Oct. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. ArtWalk turns the entire Village of Northport into an immersive art experience. Artists in this juried event exhibit and sell their work in shops and offices while musicians serenade visitors on the streets. Artists will need to submit samples of their work to be considered for entry, and musicians will need to submit videos or recordings of live performances. The deadline to submit is Aug.21 and you’ll be notified by Sept. 1 if you’ve been accepted. Visit www.NorthportArts.org/ArtWalk.
◆ Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25a, Rocky Point seeks vendors to be a part of their annual October Festival on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee for vendor participation of new items, no raffles is $35 per10’ x 10’ space. Must supply own table and chairs. Visit www.thefishchurch.com Festivals and Events page.
◆ Suffolk County Farm & Education Center, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank seeks vendors for its annual Fall Family Dog Day on Oct. 23. Contact Vicki Fleming at [email protected] for details.
The cast of Theatre Three's 'Sleepy Beauty'. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
Cassidy Rose O'Brien and Josie McSwane in a scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
The cast of 'Sleeping Beauty' at Theatre Three.
By Heidi Sutton
Looking for something to do with the kids on a hot and humid summer day? Allow me to recommend an afternoon of live theater. And with a princess, a prince, a wicked fairy and a spinning wheel, Theatre Three’s latest offering, the premiere of the timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty, will surely fit the bill. Oh and did I mention there’s A/C?
Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Douglas J. Quattrock, the musical follows the storyline closely but goes one step further in questioning why the wicked fairy put a curse on the princess ultimately causing her to fall asleep for one hundred years. Is she just plain evil or was it all just a misunderstanding?
Directed by Sanzel, a cast of 7 adult actors along with 26 preteen and teen actors from Theatre Three’s Dramatic Academy present this charming re-telling of the most wonderful fairy tale of all.
King Gilder and Queen Gwen have sent out invitations for Briar Rose’s first birthday party. While the good fairies Aurora and Lily receive theirs, the wicked fairy Algabrine does not. Insulted, she crashes the party and as her “gift” to the little princess, she casts a spell that Briar Rose will prick her finger on a spinning wheel on her 18th birthday and die. When she leaves, Lily, who has not given her gift yet, changes the spell to have Briar Rose fall into a deep sleep for one hundred years only to be awakened by her one true love.
The king decries that all spinning wheels be destroyed. But there’s always one somewhere, isn’t there?
Steven Uihlein serves as narrator and uses flashbacks to tell the story and to teach an important lesson along the way. Here we meet Algabrine when she was kind and sweet and witness the moment things take a dark turn. A nice touch.
Cassidy Rose O’Brien is perfectly cast as Briar Rose. Strong-willed, confident, thoughtful and kind, she is the perfect fairy tale heroineand quickly becomes the audience favorite as does her counterpart, a terrific Kiernan Urso as Prince Constantine. Accompanied on piano by Quattrock, their duet, “When I Close My Eyes,” is magical.
Aria Saltini and Heather Rose Kuhn are wonderful as fairies Aurora and Lily, as is Marianne Schmidt as Cecelia, Constantine’s mother. Josie McSwane knocks it out of the park as Algabrine and has the best entrance I’ve ever seen, thanks to the incredible sound effects and lighting. Costumes by Jason Allyn are the icing on the birthday cake.
The preteen and teen supporting cast play numerous roles throughout including singing and dancing and several have lines (great jokes!). For many, this is their first time performing in front of an audience and it is an amazing opportunity to hone their craft and all did an amazing job.
With only three performances left,order your tickets now. And if you reserve seats in the center section of the theater, you will be in for a special treat!
Take a keepsake photo with the cast in the lobby on your way out.
Cast: Steven Uihlein, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Area Saltini, Heather Rose Kuhn, Josie McSwane, Kiernan Urso, Marianne Schmidt, Maggie Abcug, Kate Marin, Courtney Pearsall, Guiliana Vavalle, Jared Acevedo, Marlaina Baessler, Alissa Boryushkina, Mia Caputo, Aiden Choudhary, Tara Choudhary, Kelsie Curran, Erin Curtin, Ava Garcia, Kathleen Han, Faith Hennessy, Carissa Kaplan, Chloe Kelly, Sophia Kosinski, Amelia Lappe, Hailey Polanish, Lyla Reyes, Michael Rotundo, Francesca Scott, Sophie Weeks, Emilyanne Williams and Rebecca Williams.
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Sleeping Beauty on Friday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. and Saturday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Children’s theater continues with A Kooky Spooky Halloween from Oct. 8 to 22 and Barnaby Saves Christmas from Nov. 19 to Dec. 30. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
ON THE PROWL
Join Sweetbriar Nature Center for an Owl Prowl on Aug. 18.
PROGRAMS
Summer Drop-In Workshop
Join the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington for a Summer Drop-In Workshop on Aug. 11 and Aug. 18 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Create fun works of art in a variety of materials inspired by artwork in the Museum’s Collection and exhibitions. Each week’s project will be exciting and different. Programs will be held both in the Museum and in Heckscher Park. Fee is $10 per child, adults free, payable at the door and includes all art supplies and general admission to the museum. Call 380-3230.
Spoon Man Show
On Aug. 12 from 4 to 5 p.m., Emma Clark Library, 120 Main Street, Setauket invites the community to a family show featuring the “Spoon Man,” a published author who offers a hilarious interactive comedy program for all ages with an audience sing-along competition and creates a Mountain Band out of members of the audience. It’s a spoonful of family fun! No registration necessary. Call 941-4080 for more info.
Superheroes of the Sky
Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown for Superheroes of the Sky on Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. to noon. Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Center’s Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about a bald eagle, turkey vultures, owls, hawks and many more. $10 adults, $5 children under age 12. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. Call 979-6344 for more info.
WMHO’s Pop Up Saturday
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization continues its Pop-Up Saturdays at the Stony Brook Village Center with storytelling and singing by Johnny Cuomo in the Inner Court on Aug. 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. Rain date is the following day. Free. Call 751-2244 or visit www.wmho.org.
Magic of Amore
Wildwood State Park, 790 Hulse Landing Road, Wading River presents the Magic of Amore on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. Part of Long Island State Parks Summer Entertainment, this magic show will amaze and astound no matter your age! Colorful handkerchiefs turn to magic canes and objects materialize out of thin air. Bring your chair or blanket and get ready for an amazing show! $10 vehicle use fee. Questions? Call 929-4314.
Mouse Paint Movement
The Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook presents a Mouse Paint Movement class for students ages 4 to 7 on Aug. 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. This exciting program includes reading of the book Mouse Paint, creative movement using a parachute, a balance beam, tubs, ribbons and hoops all while learning about primary and secondary colors. All materials necessary will be provided. $20 per participant. To register, visit www.rebolicenter.org or call 751-7707.
Family Scavenger Hunt
Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket continues its Summer program series with a Family Scavenger Hunt on Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. Meet at the Red Barn for a morning of fun in a beautiful place! Free. No registration necessary. Call 689-6146 for more information.
Butterflies & Moths
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a Tiny Tots class titled Buttlerflies & Moths on Aug. 18 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 and their parents will connect with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per child. To register, visit www/Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure. For more info, call 269-4333.
Dance Party
It’s time to dance! The Village of Port Jefferson concludes its Children Shows series at the Jill Nees Russell Performance Stage at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson with A Little Bit of Magic Dance Party on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Free. Bring seating. Visit www.portjeff.com.
Build a Pirate Ship
Shiver me Tuesdays! The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents aPirate Ship Workshop every Tuesday in August from 2 to 4 p.m. Adults and kids can design and build a unique pirate ship model from a variety of wooden materials and more during this drop-in program. Complete your craft with a Jolly Roger! Bring your imagination. Kids, bring your adults for supervision. Admission + $10 participant. Questions? Call 367-3418.
Owl Prowl Thursday
Visit Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown on Aug. 18 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. to meet and learn about some of their resident owls. Embark on a walk into the darkness to enjoy the night. Wear bug spray and bring a flashlight just in case. Open to families with children ages 5 and up. $15 per person. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. Call 979-6344.
FILM
‘Shark Tale’/’Finding Nemo’
The 5th annual Farmingville Flicks Movie Series continues with Shark Tale on Aug. 11, Finding Nemo on Aug. 18 and Moana on Aug. 25 at the Local Church, 1070 Portion Road, Farmingville at dusk. Presented by Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce and Sachem Public Library. Bring seating. Free but registration is required by visiting www.farmingvillechamber.com.
‘Sing 2’
Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai continues its Movies in the Moonlight series with a screening of Sing 2 on Aug. 13 at 8:15 p.m. Presented by the North Shore Youth Council and Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker. Free. Bring seating. Questions? Call 403-4846.‘The Goonies’
Join the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach for an Under the Stars Movie Night free screening of The Goonies on Aug. 17 from 8 to 10 p.m. As this movie will be held outside, patrons should bring their own chairs and blankets. In the event of rain, the program will be rescheduled for Aug. 25. Food truck will be on hand beginning at 7 p.m. Questions? Call 585-9393.
‘Spider Man: No Way Home’
St. James Chamber of Commerce invites the community to Deepwells Farm County Park, 497 Route 25A, St. James for a screening ofSpider Man: No Way Home on Aug. 18 at 7:45 p.m. (rain date is Aug. 25). Free. Bring seating. No pets. Call 584-8510.
‘Encanto’
Northport-East Northport Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force will host a Family Movie Night at Northport Village Park on Aug. 18 at 8:30 p.m. with a free screening of Disney’s Encanto. Bring seating. First 50 attendees will receive a free lawn blanket. Call 516-361-6540 for more info.
‘Howl’s Moving Castle’
The Cinema Arts Cenre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema For Kids series with a screening of Howl’s Moving Castle on Aug. 14 at noon. Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman leading her on a quest to break the spell. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children. Call 423-7610.
THEATER
‘Mary Poppins’
Productions Over the Rainbow present Disney’s Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical at Sachem High School East, 177 Granny Road, Farmingville on Aug. 11, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.performed by POTR’s Summer 2022 Teen and College students. Tickets are $18. To order, visit www.potr.org.
‘Knuffle Bunny’
From Aug. 5 to Sept. 3, the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East Main St., Smihtown will present Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale from Aug. 5 to Sept. 3 with one special performance on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown on Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. Trixie, her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny set off on a trip to the laundromat. The trip brings wonder, excitement and joy to the lively toddler until she realizes that she has lost Knuffle Bunny. Filled with adventure, song and dancing laundry, it’s the perfect show for a family-friendly outing! Tickets are $18. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘Junie B. Jones The Musical’
Children’s theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport with Junie B. Jones The Musical from July 23 to Aug. 28. Sneak a peek into the “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal” of the outspoken and lovable Junie B. Jones! Based on the top selling children’s book series, this upbeat musical follows the spunky Junie as she navigates through the ups and downs of her first day of 1st grade. All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Sleeping Beauty’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Sleeping Beauty, acharming re-telling of the most wonderful fairy tale of all, from Aug. 5 to Aug. 13. When Briar Rose falls asleep because of a wicked fairy’s evil spell, all seems lost until true love’s first kiss breaks the spell. A memorable story for this or any time. $10 per person. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Walt Whitman personator Darrel Blaine Ford, center, with NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright, WWBA members and attendees. Photo by Heidi Sutton
From left, WWBA Trustee Robert Savino, NYS Assemblyman Keith Brown, Sukey Walter and her son William R. Walter. Photo By Heidi Sutton
A plague in honor of William T. Walter. Photo by Heidi Sutton
Walt Whitman personator Darrel Blaine Ford
The time capsule and plaque. Photo by Heidi Sutton
Walt Whitman personator Darrel Blaine Ford, center, with NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright, WWBA members, public officials and attendees. Photo by Heidi Sutton
The entrance to the Walt Whitman Birthplace. Photo by Heidi Sutton
A portrait of Walt Whitman. Photo by Heidi Sutton
By Heidi Sutton
Walt Whitman Birthplace Association State Historic Site in Huntington Station hosted a time capsule ceremony on Aug. 5 in honor of Walt Whitman’s 200th birthday. Conducted by the WWBA’s board of trustees and WWBA Executive Director Cynthia Shor, the historic event was attended by many public officials on state, county and town levels, members of the chambers of commerces, Walt Whitman personator Darrel Blaine Ford and members of the public. Guest speakers included Long Island Parks Regional Director George “Chip” Gorman, NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright and Town of Huntington Deputy Supervisor John McCarron.
The event also celebrated the life of William T. Walter, Ph.D. (1931-2020) who served on the WWBA Board of Trustees in 1980 and was Trustee President from 1980-1984 and again from 2010 to 2020. Described as “a visionary” at the ceremony, Walter was instrumental in the creation of the WWBA Interpretive Center which opened in 1999. He also served as the Chairman of the Town of Huntington Beautification Council for over 40 years. Walter’s widow, Sukey, her three sons and family were in attendance for the event. William R. Walter spoke fondly of his father and recited Whitman’s poem “From Montauk Point.”
The idea for the time capsule was initiated by WWBA Trustee Jo-Ann Raia in recognition of Walt Whitman’s 200th birthday in 2019. A committee consisting of Raia, Dr. Maria Basile and Mark Nuccio was formed and funds were obtained from the Town of Huntington’s Cultural Affairs Division with no additional cost to taxpayers. The COVID pandemic sidelined the event until now.
When buried in the near future, the 12” by 12” stainless steel time capsule will contain Whitman memorabilia including a mug and medallion, a boxed original Nathan Hale bicentennial coin from the Town of Huntington along with a photocopy of the original wax seal from the establishment of the Town of Huntington signed by Supervisor Ed Smyth, two coins honoring Long Island State Parks staff, a copy of the Suffolk Hotel Motel bill sponsored by Assemblyman Englebright, manuscripts commemorating the life of William T. Walter, written historic texts and books along with newspaper articles of the current times reflecting a significant economic, political, or social news event and a scroll containing all the names of the event’s attendees on acid-free paper. The time capsule itself has a shelf-life of 200 years.
“The historical materials that we have put into the time capsule tell the story of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association. It is a story of our success in bringing to life the voice and values of “The Good Gray Poet” for generations to come,” said Trustee President Jack Coulehan, MD.
A boulder donated by WWBA Trustee Steve Gittelman will be placed at the site with a commemorative plaque inscribed: “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.” — W.W., Song of Myself, Section 52. The time capsule will be opened during Walt Whitman’s 250th birthday celebration in 2069 and then every 50 years henceforth.
“It’s really an incredible cultural asset that we are here to support and to make sure Walt Whitman is remembered 50 years from now when this time capsule is opened. I don’t think anyone is going to forget Walt Whitman. He is one of the literary giants of Western civilization. He is America’s poet,” said Englebright.
The iconic summer romance between Baby and Johnny returns to the big screen when Dirty Dancing hits select theaters nationwide on Sunday, Aug. 14 and Wednesday, Aug. 17 for a special 35th anniversary presentation courtesy of Fathom Events and Lionsgate.
Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in a scene from the 1987 classic ‘Dirty Dancing.’
Loved by generations of fans, this cinematic treasure has inspired multiple films, a stage version, and reality dance competitions watched around the world.
In the summer of 1963, 17-year-old Baby (Jennifer Grey) vacations with her parents at Kellerman’s resort in the Catskills. One evening she is drawn to the staff quarters by stirring music. There she meets Johnny (Patrick Swayze), the hotel dance instructor, who is as experienced as Baby is naive. Baby soon becomes Johnny’s pupil in dance and love. The film also stars Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Jack Weston, Kelly Bishop, Jane Brucker and Lonny Price.
A worldwide box-office sensation when it was released in 1987and generating over $213 million, Dirty Dancing captured hearts worldwide and took home the Best Original Song Oscar® for “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
The screening will also include an exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette, along with a new interview with Jennifer Grey. Locally the film will be shown at Island Cinema De Lux, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville and Farmingdale Multiplex, 1001 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale on Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.
Lionsgate is currently planning to return to Kellerman’s for a new Dirty Dancing film, starring and executive produced by Grey, to be released in 2023.
From left, Laura Meade, Steve Corbellini, Christina Muens and James M. Lotito Jr. in a scene from the show. Photo by Jackie St. Louis/SPAC
A scene from 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' at SPAC. Photo by Jackie St. Louis
A scene from 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' at SPAC. Photo by Jackie St. Louis
A scene from 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' at SPAC. Photo by Jackie St. Louis
A scene from 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' at SPAC. Photo by Jackie St. Louis
Steve Corbellini and Christina Muens in a scene from 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.' Photo by Jackie St. Louis
From left, James M. Lotito Jr., Christina Muens, Laura Meade and Steve Corbellini on opening night. Photo from SPAC
By Barbara Anne Kirshner
It’s hilarious, fast-paced and so much fun with toe-tapping music — those are the ingredients that make I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change the right choice to breathe life into the latest era of the Smithtown Performing Arts Center.
The historic 365-seat theatre with its grand marque still stands proudly on Main Street in Smithtown even after going through several incarnations since first opening its doors in 1933 as a movie house. It was acquired by United Artists in 1968 and ran movies until 2001 when it was purchased privately and segued into presenting live theatre in 2002.
The Smithtown Performing Arts Council, a non-profit organization, was formed in 2008 to oversee operations of the theatre. Then when the theatre was put up for sale once again in 2021, the Council, with the support from the Town of Smithtown, grants, and community donors, purchased it in April 2022. On August 4 the curtains went up, ushering in a new era of live main stage productions with this gleeful musical comedy.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a series of vignettes joined by an overriding arc that dissects the stages of love and relationships. The musical comedy, with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, is the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical having premiered at the Westside Theatre August 1, 1996, until it closed July 27, 2008.
The show calls upon its four-person cast to be outstanding actors and singers with high energy sustained throughout the two hours of lively entertainment. An additional challenge is to be one character in one scene, then do a quick transformation including costume to hair and reappear as an entirely different character with a distinctly different way of walking, talking and feeling.
The cast, simply referred to in the program as Woman 1 (Laura Meade), Man 1 (James M. Lotito Jr.), Woman 2 (Christina Muens) and Man 2 (Steve Corbellini) have taken on this impressive task to perfection with the audience leaving the theatre exclaiming “That was fabulous!” “Weren’t they amazing?!” YES, all four actors were AMAZING! Each carried his or her parts with gusto and without a weak link in the cast — no small accomplishment since all four actors span the ages from young daters to young marrieds to parents to middle aged into the elderly years and must be believable every step of the way.
Act I opens with “Cantata for a First Date” chanted by four images swathed in white sheets representing monks and giving the impression that we are about to embark on a magical journey. The Cantata is reprised three times throughout the show. Act I is so much fun as it exploits all the quirks in dating and early relationships. The first scene is hilarious when Muens and Corbellini confess “We’ve got baggage” and we are off to the dating disaster stage.
In “A Stud and a Babe,” Lotito sits opposite Meade in a restaurant as both feel obviously awkward and Lotito mutters to himself, “I’d be better at flirting if I had looks that kill.” Another scene has the two women lamenting “There’s a serious single man drought!” The men follow that up with “I’m a guy! I never stop to ask directions.”
Act II starts off on high test with Meade fluttering around in a hideous bridesmaid dress as she drones, “All those husbands are gone but those dresses live on.” Act II is poignant as it focuses on marriage, parenthood, divorce then old age. The message that the Epilogue sends is “Go forth with joy. Find someone to love, then spend the rest of your life trying to change them.” Hence, I love you, you’re perfect, now change!
To assist in the smooth transitions is a set that morphs easily from scene to scene constructed by Keith Blum, Jacques St. Louis and Michael Mucciolo. The giant screen upstage center is a nice touch that highlights each scene projecting images including a swirling constellation, a tennis court, a stained-glass cathedral, a cascade of twinkling stars and so on. A few well-placed chairs, round tables and sofa move into place according to their function in each scene.
With so many scene changes, Chris Creevy’s lighting design seems to take the audience by the hand leading them from one vignette into the next with a fluidity that never interrupts the flow of action.
Carmela Newman’s costumes define characters and at times add humor like with the loud print Hawaiian shirt in “Why? Cause I’m a Guy?” and the cringe-worthy pink flouncy gown replete with puffs of red, white and coral flowers in “Always a Bridesmaid.”
Musical Director Bobby Peterson appears upstage center at the piano throughout the entire show with extraordinary accompaniment that makes this production seamless. Sound design by Jacques St. Louis enhances the gorgeous sopranos of Meade and Muens while it adds crispness to the vocal calisthenics of Corbellini and Lotito. Sound operator Harrison Giordano smoothly navigates through all the sound cues in this show.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is such fun especially on a warm summer night, so come see it at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center. You’ll be glad you did.
The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change on Aug. 11, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $45, $40 seniors. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
Sometimes it makes my head hurt trying to understand how Washington works. The Federal Reserve raises interest rates in order to curb inflation.Immediately following these actions, Senate Democrats passes the Inflation Reduction Act with the blessing of the White House.
This bill goes counter to what Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve are trying to accomplish. Jim Kramer on CNBC calls this bill the “Spend Our Way To Oblivion Act or SOWOA.”
If you own stocks, this could be a problem.For many U.S. companies the bill includes a tax on stock buybacks. This will impact the way companies address their capital. A 15% book tax which hurts companies with net operating losses will force them to issue debt in order to raise capital.
Senator Chuck Schumer proudly states that this bill will allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug companies. Really? This is not quite correct. Beginning 4 years from now, Medicare will only be negotiating on lowering prices on 10 drugs. Schumer also states that the bill will create higher paying Environmental Engineering jobs. This potentially will lead to hyper wage inflation.Just look at last Friday’s employment figures.
Environmental groups are euphoric over the bill, providing the potential for an additional 500,000 high paying jobs. That’s awesome, but where are the applicants to fill these positions? This is the type of wage inflation that the Federal Reserve is trying to rein in.
It appears that commodity inflation has peaked, but now we will have to contend with labor inflation by creating jobs we have no ability to fill, other than to take from the private sector. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but every time Fed Chairman Jerome Powell tries to get a handle on inflation, the Federal government throws him a curveball.
The people of this country for the most part are hard-working and good-hearted.The stock market has politics, of course. We all want to slow global warming or better yet, STOP IT. However, what is occurring in Washington has the potential to destroy our free enterprise system. The government is printing money and spending it like sailors on shore leave. A final thought on this, TERM LIMITS.
On a positive note: We have had a nice bounce during the month of July. The jobs number this past Friday appears to show that we may not be on the verge of a recession, but it sure puts pressure on the Fed to increase rates.
Stock news. GE is splitting into 3 different companies. Those individual stocks could perform very well.Think back to the split up of AT&T into 7 different entities. I am still a big fan of ExxonMobil, even though it is already up 50% this year. JPMorgan has come down from $165 in January to $114. The potential for a higher price is very possible, while being paid with a nice dividend. Last, but not least, Proctor and Gamble. Most of us use their products on a daily basis, like toothpaste and laundry detergent, don’t we?
Until next month, try to stay cool.
Michael E. Russell retired after 40 years working for various Wall Street firms. All recommendations being made here are not guaranteed and may incur a loss of principal. The opinions and investment recommendations expressed in the column are the author’s own. TBR News Media does not endorse any specific investment advice and urges investors to consult with their financial advisor.
Data from The American Presidency Project at U.C. Santa Barbara shows that 67% of eligible voters voted during the pandemic in the U.S. presidential election of 2020, but it was a record high compared with earlier elections (the election in 2012, for instance, had votes from 54.9 percent of the eligible voters).
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