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Scott Hofer and Jeffrey Sanzel in a scene from 'A Christmas Carol. Photo by Ana McCasland
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
Catch one of the final performances of Theatre Three's 'A Christmas Carol'. The show closes on Dec. 30.
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
Jeffrey Sanzel reprises his role as Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol'
The 2022 cast of 'A Christmas Carol'

By Heidi Sutton

“Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.” And so begins one of the most popular, most-adapted and most relevant holiday tales ever written, Charles Dickens’ novella, A Christmas Carol. Published on Dec. 19, 1843, the initial print run of 6,000 copies sold out by Christmas Eve. More than 178 years later, it lives on as a story of redemption and hope and serves as a reminder to keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts all year round. 

In the book’s foreword, Dickens writes:

I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.

Now the pages of the Dickensian story come to life once again as Theatre Three in Port Jefferson presents its 38th annual production of A Christmas Carol. The curtain went up this past Saturday to a full house.

While preparations are still underway to transform the seaport village back to the Victorian era for its 26th annual Charles Dickens Festival on Dec 3 and 4, Theatre Three is already dressed head to toe for the holidays and carolers entertain theatergoers before the show, setting the  tone for what is to come.

Adapted for the stage by Executive Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel, A Christmas Carol tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Sanzel), a successful business man who has chosen money over everything else and has become bitter, lonely and stingy over the years, especially around the holidays. “I have devoted my life to the cultivation of business,” he explains.

We first meet the miserly curmudgeon on Christmas Eve, exactly seven years after the death of his business partner Jacob Marley (Stephen T. Wangner). Caught in a particulary bad mood, we witness him chase carolers from his office, turn away the needy and a pair of charity workers. He snaps at his underappreciated and underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit (Douglas J. Quattrock) and his chipper nephew Fred Halliwell (Sean Amato) the sole child of Scrooge’s deceased sister, Fan, who has dropped by to invite him for dinner. “Keep Christmas in your own way and I will keep it in mine,” he warns his nephew before kicking him out.

That evening Scrooge is visited by Marley’s tormented ghost who offers him one last chance at redemption. Draped in the chains he has forged in life, Marley tells Scrooge he will be visited by three spirits — the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

The Ghost of Christmas Past (Danielle Pafundi) appears soon after, all aglow in a white dress, and takes Scrooge to Wellington House, the boarding school he attended as a young boy alone; we meet his adored sister Fan and his apprenticeship at Fezziwig’s (played by Scott Hofer), where the audience is introduced to Scrooge’s one and only love, Belle. This is also where he meets Marley for the first time and where his choices take him down a dark path.

The Ghost of Christmas Present (Scott Hofer) takes Scrooge to meet Bob Cratchit’s family where he learns about Tiny Tim’s failing health and to a dinner party hosted by his nephew where guests play a fun game of Yes or No. 

In one of the most anticipated and frightful scenes, a towering Ghost of Christmas Future (operated by Sean Amato) shows Scrooge the shadows of what is yet to come, including  at trip to the cemetery to see his headstone, and how the people in his life are affected after his death, including a disturbing scene where Scrooge’s housekeeper Mrs. Dilber (Ginger Dalton) attempts to profit from his demise. It is just what Scrooge needs to shake him to the core. In the end, he learns that “life is not about facts and figures. It’s about joy and family and Christmas.”

Directed by Sanzel, the entire production is flawless and the talented cast (playing multiple roles) is excellent. As Scrooge, Sanzel is at his finest in a role he has played almost 1500 times. This is most evident when the Ghost of Christmas Past takes his character to one of Fezziwig’s famous holiday parties. While otherwise slightly hunched over with a slow walk, Sanzel suddenly jumps into the role of a younger Scrooge and  takes part in a Wassail dance (choreographed by Sari Feldman) with boundless energy.

Although in its 38th year, the show is always evolving, remaining fresh and exciting while maintaining its timelessness and important message. The Victorian set, costumes and creative lighting tie it all together to create a magical evening at the theater.

Get your ticket to see this wonderful production “before you dot another ‘i'” and make it part of your holiday traditions. It will make your heart full.

Stay after the show for a photo keepsake with Scrooge. The $5 fee goes to support the theater’s scholarship fund.

The Cast: Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Ginger Dalton, Ellie Dunn, Alexa Eichinger, Samantha Fierro, Griffin Fleming, Julie Friedman, Skye Greenberg, Kathleen Han, Scott Hofer, Patrick Hutchinson, Linda May, Brooke Morrison, Danielle Pafundi, Douglas J. Quattrock, Michaela Reis, Dylan Paige Rumble, Vivian Leigh Rumble, Jeffrey Sanzel, Jennifer Salvia, Steven Uihlein,  Addyson Urso, Hannah Waller, Stephen T. Wangner and Cassidy Worrell.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol through Dec. 30. Tickets are $20 per person in November, and $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, and $20 children ages 5 and up in December. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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Photo from METRO

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Even months after we emerged from our Covid caves, I still appreciate the wonder and joy of getting out again, of seeing people, of making plans, and of going on a date with my wife.

Recently, we went to see “Hadestown.”

We didn’t know much about it, except that it had won several awards. As soon as we sat down, we fell on the playbill, reading about the origins of the story, checking out the cast, and immersing ourselves in the experience.

I will admit, sheepishly, that we also used our TV app to watch a few minutes of the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions. Our son thinks our addiction to that show is laughable and he didn’t even see the movie “Rainman,” in which Dustin Hoffman’s character is addicted to the show “The People’s Court.”

Anyway, after Jeopardy! ended, we took in the room. We studied the arrangement of the set, where it was clear the musicians would be on stage. When I was in high school, I thoroughly enjoyed playing in the pit orchestras of “West Side Story” and “The Wizard of Oz.” One of the wonders of the experience was the opportunity to dress casually, as we played in a true, recessed pit where we were heard and not seen.

As we got closer to the start of “Hadestown,” the auditorium filled with people sporting a wide range of attire, from casual to festive.

In the first few moments of the show, we were transported, as a colorful Hermes pranced around the stage, interacting with the other actors and reaching out to the audience.

The appreciative guests lapped up his over-the-top gestures and movements, as he introduced us to some of the characters and the band, who filled the stage with vitality, music and movement.

During intermission, I watched two women in the row in front of me. One was talking, while the other nodded absent-mindedly while playing solitaire. Perhaps that’s a carry over from too much time at home. Then again, who am I to complain? We watched a TV show in the moments before “Hadestown” started, so we’re also accustomed to our isolated entertainment.

To my left, two women with bright blonde hair opened a ziplock bag filled with small sugar cookies. After they each ate one, the woman holding the bag dropped a cookie on the floor. I felt it hit my shoe before it settled on the ground.

Now, I am a bit OCD with germs. Okay, fine, that’s like being a bit pregnant. I’m OCD and have been known to wash my hands so often in the winter that my skin becomes incredibly dry, cracks and bleeds.

So, what would I have done with that cookie? I would have picked it up, put it in my coat pocket, forgotten about it for about two weeks and, upon rediscovering it, would have thrown it in the garbage and, of course, washed my hands immediately afterwards.

What did she do? The woman picked it up, briefly scraped off the parts she imagined must have touched the floor and my shoe, blew on it and broke it in half. She gave her companion one half, she kept the other, and they both, gulp, ate it.

I laughed nervously and made a mental note, not that I ever need one, to wash my hands just because, well, yuck!

In the second half of “Hadestown,” the show followed a similar pattern, as one sad, longing song gave way to another.

At the critical moment of the story, the woman who had been playing solitaire in front of us objected to the tragic turn of events.“Oh no, don’t do it!” she shouted.

While I wasn’t surprised by the ending to a story filled with mournful songs and that Hermes told us was sad, I chuckled as she tried to change the script from the balcony.

Yes, it was great to be out and to appreciate the show, the music, and the other guests.

All the world, as Shakespeare suggested, is a stage, including for the appreciative members of the audience.

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Mel Gonzales and Fatima-Zhara Amir a scene from 'The Showing'. Photo by Alla Ilyasova

‘Showing’

The Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket presents a workshop production of a brand new play produced by Hidden Well Theatre titled Showing on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. What’s a gender reveal party without a heaping helping of disaster? Set in the hours leading up to a pregnant woman’s gender reveal party, Showing is an immersive, site-specific play about the ways we strive to make meaning in spaces where there is only chaos and cake. Tickets are $16 in advance at hidden-well-theatre.weebly.com/showing.html or $20 (cash only) at the door. For more information, email [email protected].

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Open cast call

Save the date! Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson, will hold open auditions for Pride@Prejudice, by Daniel Elihu Kramer, adapted from Jane Austen’s novel, on Sunday, Nov. 27 and Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. Seeking four versatile performers to play over two dozen characters. Performances will be held from April 7 to May 6, 2023. Bring a picture/resume. Rehearsals begin in February. For full details visit http://theatrethree.com/auditions.html.

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Open cast call

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson, will hold open auditions for the musical revue Side by Side by Sondheim on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Seeking 3 to 4 strong vocalists with storytelling abilities (prepare 32 bars of (1) Stephen Sondheim song – preferably a piece from Side by Side by Sondheim); and one actor to serve as narrator (Prepare monologue available on Theatre Three’s website.) Callbacks to be determined.  Please bring picture/resume. Rehearsals begin in December. For full details visit http://theatrethree.com/auditions.htm.

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A scene from 'A Killer Day'

Halloween comes around a week early to the Playhouse at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 270 Main St., Northport as it plays host to the 13th Annual Northport One-Act Play Festival – “Halloween Edition.” The new plays that make up this year’s festival all share something in common. Each embraces the strange, sometimes scary aspects associated with All Hallows Eve, whether as a comedy or drama.

The plays featured in the festival will be performed twice each, once as a matinee and once in the evening at the theater They will be brought to the stage by directors and actors from the Long Island theater community.

Program 1 will be presented on Saturday, October 22nd at 3:00 p.m.

Program 2 will be performed on Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Program 1: Saturday, October 22nd at 3:00 p.m.
Mortal Lives by Seth Freeman

Date Night in Roissy by Les Abromovitz

Fall of the House of Hasenpheffer by Michael Casano

Grave’s Anatomy by Rich Rubin

Program 2: Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

Meeting Acute by Chuck Smith

The Psychic by John Passadino

Bite Me by Pete Mergel

Margo by Peter Scarpinato

A Killer Day by Joe Bulvi

Admission is $25 to each of the four festival performances. You can reserve tickets for the festival (recommended) at www.northportplays.com or call (631) 223-8053.

 

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The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College presents I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change at the Shea Theater, Islip Arts Building, 533 College Road, Selden on Oct. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. With book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change is a musical revue celebrating the mating game. Directed by Marie Danvers, his crowd-pleasing comedy takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as “the relationship.”

*Mature Content*

Theatre 119
Islip Arts Building
Suffolk County Community College
Ammerman Campus, Selden

  • General admission: $14
  • Veterans and students 16 years of age or younger: $10.00.
  • Suffolk students with current ID: One FREE ticket

For tickets call (631) 451-4163 or Purchase Online

See video Interview with Marie Danvers, Suffolk County Community College Distinguished Theatre Alumna and Broadway Veteran here.

 

 

 

 

 

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The cast of A Kooky Spooky Halloween. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Heidi Sutton

Theatre Three was at full capacity last Saturday morning as families with young children came to celebrate the spookiest season with the return of the wonderful musical, A Kooky Spooky Halloween. 

Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Steve McCoy, it tells the story of a kind ghost named Abner Perkins (Steven Uihlein) who has just graduated from Haunting High School and has been assigned to be the spooksperson for Ma Aberdeen’s Boarding House (known for being the most haunted house in Harrison Corner USA and for having the best toast!) as its last ghost, Baron Von Yost, has recently retired. Abner is given a diploma and a medallion of invisibility and is sent on his way. 

But Abner has a secret — he’s afraid of the dark! The only person who knows his secret is his best friend Lavinda the Witch (Danielle Pafundi) who gives him a nightlight and promises to help him get settled in.

Abner’s first day of haunting is on Halloween and he comes upon Ma Aberdeen (Ginger Dalton) and her boarders the perplexing Petersons — Paul (Liam Marsigliano), Penelope (Stephanie Moreau) and their son Pip (Sean Amato) — and Kit Garret (Samantha Fierro), a girl who “just came from a small town to a big city with a suitcase in her hand and hope in her heart,” stuffing goodie bags for trick-or-treaters in the kitchen.

In one of the funniest scenes in the show, Abner tries out a series of spells, making the group stuff the bags in double time, dance, do jumping jacks, sing, spin like a top, quack like a duck and stick to each other. Just as he is about to undo the last spell, fellow graduate ghost with a grudge Dora Pike (Beth Ladd) appears, steals his medallion of invisibility and nightlight and heads to the bottom of Black Ridge Gulch, the deepest, darkest gorge in the entire world (where it’s really, really dark). Now visible, Abner must convince the sticky strangers to help him get his medallion back. Will he succeed or will his fear of the dark take over?

With the message that everyone deserves to be understood, director Jeffrey Sanzel has assembled an incredible cast to tell this sweet story, with action, suspense, hilarious hijinks, Halloween jokes, and all around fun. The amazing costumes by Jason Allyn, special effects, futuristic lighting and the catchy songs, accompanied on piano by Douglas Quattrock, with special mention to “It’s Ma Who Makes the Toast” and the great rap number “A Need for Speed,” tie it all together for the perfect holiday treat. Your kids will love it!

Ghost pumpkin souvenirs will be sold before the show and during intermission and costumes are encouraged. Meet the entire cast in the lobby on your way out for a keepsake photo.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents A Kooky Spooky Halloween on Oct. 15 and 22 at 11 a.m. and Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. Running time is one hour and 10 minutes with intermission. Children’s theater continues with Barnaby Saves Christmas from Nov. 19 to Dec. 30. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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Photo courtesy of SPAC

A SPECIAL VISIT

The cast and crew of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center were honored to have Rob Rokicki (center), composer and lyricist of the show, in the audience this past Saturday. The show that “will steal your heart” (Barbara Anne Kirshner/ TBR News Media) runs through Oct. 29.

Photo courtesy of SPAC

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Nancy Rose Fallon and Adam Brett in a scene from the show. Photo by John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Beauty and the Beast Jr'. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Beauty and the Beast Jr'. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Beauty and the Beast Jr'. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Beauty and the Beast Jr'. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Beauty and the Beast Jr'. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Beauty and the Beast Jr'. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater

By Heidi Sutton

Written almost 300 years ago, Beauty and the Beast is a tale as old as time. 

A classic story of love and sacrifice, a girl by the name of Belle searches to find her place among the townspeople in her village, all while dodging the advances of a self-loving brute named Gaston. When her father is taken prisoner by a monstrous beast in an enchanted castle, Belle chooses to take his place. 

The Beast is really a young prince who is trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If he can learn to love and in return find someone who will love him before all the petals on an enchanted rose wither, the curse will end. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his castle staff will be doomed for all eternity. Will Belle be the one to break the spell? 

Now the  enchanting fairy tale heads to the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport to bring joy to yet another young generation in the form of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. with book by Linda Woolverton. Although an abbreviated version of the original with a running time of one and a half hours, it features all of the wonderful songs we’ve come to love by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice including “Belle,” “Gaston,” “Be Our Guest,” “The Mob Song,” and everyone’s favorite, “Beauty and the Beast” sung by Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Danny Meglio with musical direction by Gina Salvia, the 15-member cast transports the audience to a French provincial town full of action, adventure, singing and dancing and does a wonderful job with special mention to Nancy Rose Fallon as the beautiful Belle and Adam Brett as the Beast who can’t control his temper. Brett really gets into character all the way down to the snarl, but is never scary. The musical touches often on Belle’s love of books and, in one of the sweetest moments in the show, she reads the story of King Arthur to her captor during their duet “Something There.” 

Terrence Bryce Sheldon as the creep Gaston and Daniel Saulle as his sidekick Lefou have the most fun roles and pull them off with ease. Michael Fasciano gives a passionate performance as Belle’s father, Maurice. 

An audience favorite, the enchanted castle staff — Jae Hughes as the candelabra Lumiere in a perfect French accent; Daniel Bishop as Cogsworth the talking clock; Suzanne Mason as Mrs. Potts the teapot; Jillian Sharpe as Babette the feather duster; Lacey Cornell as Madame de la Grande Bouche the wardrobe; and the adorable teacup Chip (a dual role played by Sophie Achee and London Delvecchio) — are visually stunning thanks to costume designer Laura McGauley who also produces the iconic yellow gown for Belle.

As choreographer, Danielle Alliotta also deserves kudos for the big dance numbers including “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest.”

A screen in the back of the stage is used to depict the different scenes of the show including the different rooms in the Beast’s castle — a nice touch — and the actors walk through the aisles often, keeping the children at the edge of their seats.

The Engeman has gone all out on this production and it shows. Catch a performance before the last petal falls.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. through Oct. 30. Light-up roses may be purchased before the show and during intermission and costumes are encouraged. All seats are $20. For more information or to order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engeman theater.com.

 

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