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Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
By Aidan Johnson

Despite not having any dragon boat racing, the 9th annual Port Jefferson Dragon Boat Race Festival was filled with excitement and fun from start to finish Saturday, Sept. 16.

It was deemed early in the day unsafe to hold the boat racing due to rough water conditions in the wake of Hurricane Lee. The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, the organization that hosts this annual tradition, opted for a tug-of-war competition between the dragon boat teams.

“We wanted to kind of create a competitive activity that the teams would embrace,” Barbara Ransome, the chamber’s director of operations, explained. After one of her team partners suggested the tug-of-war, Peter Murphy of Sea Tow Port Jefferson provided the festival with a 40-foot cord to use.

“As you can see, it was great fun and lots of competition,” Ransome added.

Denise Yazak, who was part of Brookhaven National Lab’s Crave the Wave team, took part in the competition. While she was disappointed that she could not serve her role as drummer — who helps keep the paddlers in rhythm and synchronicity, matching the drumbeat with the strokes of the front paddlers — she said she still had a great experience.

“It’s such a cool community-building event, and it’s great to connect with new people, see old friends,” Yazak said. “So even with the weather, it was still an amazing time.”

Vendors set up throughout the day in Port Jeff’s Harborfront Park. The festival also included performances such as karate demonstrations and a showcase from Taiko Tides, a traditional Japanese drumming group from Stony Brook University.

“It’s always exciting to come,” said Louis Truong, a member of Taiko Tides. “They’re always welcoming to us.”

Port Jefferson Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay said she was inspired by the number of individuals who turned out and the many different walks of life gathered for the same purpose.

“This festival, in particular, is a beautiful opportunity to build community bridges and celebrate the vibrancy of diversity,” Kassay said in a statement.

“The resilience and adaptability of festival-goers was inspiring as well, as they seamlessly shifted their competitive spirits from dragon boat races to tug-of-war competitions,” she added.

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A scene from the 43rd annual Greenlawn Pickle Festival, hosted by the Greenlawn/Centerport Historical Association. Photo by Nasrin Zahed
Scene from the 43rd annual Greenlawn Pickle Festival, hosted by the Greenlawn/Centerport Historical Association. Photo by Nasrin Zahed
Scene from the 43rd annual Greenlawn Pickle Festival, hosted by the Greenlawn/Centerport Historical Association. Photo by Nasrin Zahed

By Nasrin Zahed

Saturday, Sept. 16, marked the 43rd annual Greenlawn Pickle Festival, and the streets leading into the John Gardiner Farm, located at 900 Park Ave. in Huntington, were overflowing with visitors.

Hosted by the Greenlawn/Centerport Historical Association, Long Islanders had the opportunity to partake in the historic event. In honor of the once-flourishing pickle industry from 1880 to 1920, the festival is a chance for locals to look back on history and enjoy a classic pickle.

The site of the event was once a 600-acre farmscape run by the late Alexander Gardiner. Considered one of the leading farmers in the Huntington area, he was well known for introducing pickles as a cash crop, earning himself the title of “pickle pioneer.”

With parking along street sides and neighboring lots, patrons were welcomed into the farm for a small fee of $5 for nonmembers, $4 for members and children under 12 entered free.

Awaiting guests within the event were fun-filled activities such as hayrides, an antique car show, fried pickles, live music, a craft fair with over 30 vendors, pickle history displays, lollipop train rides, a farmers market, a corn maze, wine sampling and more pickles than one could imagine.

The event’s popularity seemed to spike this year as the space filled up quickly with community members wishing to join in on the pickle festivities — at times with hundreds waiting outside the entrance.

By midafternoon, the event had reached overcapacity, leaving volunteer members to explain to the hundreds outside that they were only permitted entry once people had left the festival. Also, by this time, many food vendors had run out of products for sale.

For festival-goers inside the entry lines, every activity began to feel like an impossible feat. With each line seemingly taking over an hour to reach the end, it was a true testament to the devotion of pickle lovers.

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A scene from the annual Setauket Harbor Day Sunday, Sept. 17. Photo by Aidan Johnson
A scene from the annual Setauket Harbor Day Sunday, Sept. 17. Photo by Aidan Johnson
A scene from the annual Setauket Harbor Day Sunday, Sept. 17. Photo by Aidan Johnson

By Aidan Johnson

The Setauket Harbor Task Force held its annual Setauket Harbor Day under sunny skies last Sunday, Sept. 17, despite initial concerns over bad weather.

The event included live music, environmental lessons and free boat rides at the hamlet’s dock and beach on Shore Road.

“The purpose of the event is to show people how beautiful the harbor is and the different activities that can happen along the harbor,” said Laurie Vetere, a Setauket Harbor Task Force co-founder with George Hoffman. “We also have a lot of environmental groups, so it [has an] educational purpose as well — to try and get the kids involved and just make everybody aware of the natural beauty.”

Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) attended the event, remarking upon Setauket Harbor Day as a way to help people learn how to preserve Long Island’s waterfronts.

“I think that for waterfront communities like ours, it’s one thing to enjoy it, and it’s another thing to be educated on how to preserve and improve it,” he said.

“This is basically an opportunity for us to get a lot of these educational groups out here and get them to interface with the public so that people … can get on board with some of the initiatives that we’re trying to do to protect the water quality,” he added.

Kornreich also doubled as one of the live music performers during the festivities.

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Moses directing traffic. Photo courtesy of Caroline Episcopal Church
Pedego e-bike Golden Raffle winner & Pedego owner's daughter. Photo courtesy of Caroline Episcopal Church
Volunteer server at Food Court. Photo courtesy of Caroline Episcopal Church
Volunteers at the church’s Raffle Basket table. Photo courtesy of Caroline Episcopal Church
Food Court in front of the church. Photo courtesy of Caroline Episcopal Church

By Aramis Khosronejad

The annual Setauket Country Fair, hosted by the Caroline Episcopal Church in Setauket, took place Saturday, Sept. 16, on the Village Green.

The fair offered various vendors, baked goods and treats, a barn sale, a food court and live music with over 80 arts and crafts vendors available. In addition, the fair hosted a basket raffle and a “golden” raffle.

In an interview with the Rev. Nickolas Clay Griffith, the priest in charge at Caroline Episcopal Church, he said the idea for the fair was developed by Sue Rydzeski. The coordinator of events at the church, Rydzeski “does a little bit of everything for everybody.” 

“This is by far the largest year we’ve ever had,” Griffith said. “I think it’s because of the vendors, but mostly because of the wonderful people in the neighborhood who come out to support” the fair.

Many of the proceeds collected during the fair support local organizations and businesses. “Sometimes, we’ll petition the church for financial assistance,” Griffith said. “Or sometimes, we will identify organizations that are doing good in the community, not necessarily Christian based.”

Griffith emphasized how the church’s mission is “to be of service to the community as the community has been of service to us.”

He also explained the significance of the country fair for him and the church, noting, “It’s a way of us saying ‘thank you’ for the 300 years of ministry we’ve had here,” alluding to the church’s recent tricentennial celebration.

Griffith described the country fair as “an opportunity for the entire community to come together in a fun way to enjoy one another’s company and to learn a little bit about their neighborhood,” he said.

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Senior wide receiver Brody Morgan leaves a Floyd defender in the dust. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior wide receiver Jackson Weber looks for an opening in a Patriot’s road game against Wm. Floyd. Photo by Bill Landon
Patriot quarterback Ethan Burgos bolts through a hole. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

Last November, Ward Melville ended William Floyd’s undefeated season, eliminating the Colonials in the semifinal round of the Division I playoffs. The Patriots returned to the scene of the crime Wednesday afternoon looking to pick off Floyd again, but the Colonials had other ideas.

Ward Melville quarterback Ethan Burgos found wide receiver Jackson Weber on a 6-yard pass play for the touchdown in the second quarter to break the ice. Floyd answered three minutes later to make it a 7-7 tie at the half. The Patriots trailed 21-13 in the fourth quarter when Burgos on a keeper found the end zone on short yardage. Burgos would finish it by running in the 2-point conversion to tie the game 21-21.

After an impressive 36-yard field goal to edge ahead, William Floyd running-back Jaden Montalvo ripped a 67-yard touchdown run in the closing minutes to seal the deal, defeating the Patriots 31-21.

The win lifts the Colonials 2-0 while the loss drops the Patriots to 1-1 in the division.

Ward Melville looks to put a “W” in the win column when the team hosts Central Islip Saturday, Sept. 23. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.

— All photos by Bill Landon

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Barbie
Barbie
Barbie
Barbie

MEET BARBIE!

This week’s featured shelter pet is Barbie, a white and black rabbit currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. Barbie and her boyfriend Ken were abandoned at Sunken Meadow State Park in the beginning of August.

While the shelter is not set up to house rabbits long term, these two were in a dangerous situation and had to be taken in.  

Ken was adopted right away, but sweet Barbie took a little longer to warm up to shelter staff. Now it’s time for Barbie to find her own dream home. She is a sweet and loving little bun with a love for yogurt treats and Romaine lettuce. She is litter trained and needs a home with space for her to run.

Barbie would do best with older children as she can get quite fresh when she feels scared.

If you would like to meet Barbie, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.

The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

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The cast of 'The Prom' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Prom'. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Julianne Mosher

Theatre Three kicks off its 53rd season with the award-winning musical The Prom. Set in current day New York City and Indiana, The Prom brings humor and color to an important issue facing the nation — LGBTQIA rights.

Let me explain. Expertly directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, this high energy show starts off with four narcissistic Broadway stars who receive a terrible review about their latest play and their personalities. In order to gain positive feedback to counteract the reviewer’s comment of them being self-obsessed, they learn a trending news story happening in Indiana: a lesbian high school student was not allowed to bring her girlfriend to their prom which incited a riot of the local townspeople. 

The actors, Dee Dee Allen (Linda May), Barry Glickman (Ryan Nolin), Angie Dickinson (Sari Feldman) and Trent Oliver (Brian Gill) – along with the public relations rep, Sheldon (Jason Allyn) hitch a ride west to “selflessly” help the high schooler, Emma (Jae Hughes) gain back her prom. 

Set in a small town with big religious and conservative values, Emma is ostracized, bullied and is blamed for the school board cancelling the prom…until the stars show up dripping in glitter and voicing their opinions with their big personalities and  sharing with the world how they are helping Emma. 

With standout performances by Hughes, they make you feel strong emotion for the drama they are going through in the show. While the play has many highs, a lot of laughs and catchy musical numbers, the show will bring you to tears – especially if you know someone who has gone through a struggle with acceptance.

Interestingly, several details from The Prom were actually based on real-life events. In 2010, Mississippi student Constance McMillen was not admitted into her prom with her girlfriend – and the parents there also tried to separate the straight kids from the LGBTQIA students.

McMillen went to court. Her case was taken by the ACLU and was awarded a payment of $35,000 from the school district that hurt her. They then implemented a non-discrimination policy. 

But while Hughes’ emotional journey, and the main purpose of this show, is heavy and starting of a movement, you can appreciate May, Nolin, Feldman, Gill and Allyn’s silly, charismatic personalities to lighten the mood. You’d actually believe they are Broadway stars with their stellar performances. In fact, everyone on the stage from the main characters to the ensemble deserves constant standing ovations for their professionalism and talent. Even the smallest roles were noticed.

Throughout the show, secrets are unveiled, twists are made and conflict ensues, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish. The set design, by Randall Parsons, is completely reminiscent of a high school auditorium – especially when it gets decorated for the big dance. Allyn and Joe Kassner’s costume design are also impressive. The big personalities of the Broadway stars required a lot of glitter and that’s exactly what they had. Plus, Rico’s Clothing, based in Center Moriches, donated the men’s formal wear for the show. 

All in all, the show is something you could watch over and over, laughing and crying (in a good way!) every time. Theatre Three’s The Prom is an important play that will make people think the following: We are all human, love is love, and “I wish I had a friend like Barry to help me dress up for my prom!”

Don’t miss this one.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents The Prom on the Mainstage through Oct. 21. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors, $20 students, and $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, please call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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Bulls quarterback Jake Fields tries to escape pocket with Tiger linebacker Calvin Blissett in pursuit. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Bulls Cole Milani and Brian Devlin bring down Tiger Giancarlo Valenti. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Lucas Santangelo ran for 120 yards against Northport last Thursday. Above, Tigers Max Brewer, Asher Levine and Brady Cooke combine to bring him down. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Northport Tigers and Smithtown Bulls football game 09/14/23. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The Northport Tigers Football team defeated the Smithtown Bulls on Sept. 14 in a rare Thursday afternoon matchup.

In observance of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, schools throughout Long Island moved up football games to Wednesday and Thursday last week. The short rest was not an issue for the Tigers, as junior quarterback Enrique Hernandez tossed two touchdown passes and senior running back Giancarlo Valenti rushed for 211 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. 

Tiger junior tailback Christian Campoli, who left the previous game early with an injury, was back in the lineup and it was he who was on the receiving end of both of Hernandez’s scoring throws. Lucas Santangelo rushed for 120 yards for Smithtown East, and senior quarterback Jake Fields was 8 for 17 for 65 yards and had a rushing touchdown. 

The game started off with a bang for the Tigers as Campoli ran a down, out and up on the right sideline and hauled in a floater from Hernandez for a 63-yard touchdown on only the fifth play from scrimmage.

Smithtown East would begin the second quarter with similar explosiveness. Santangelo took a handoff straight up the gut for 66 yards on a 2nd down and 2. 

A great hustle play by Campoli’s brother Michael stopped Santangelo at the 1-yard line, but Fields would tie the game on the very next play with a quarterback sneak. The half would end with the score 7-7.

It would become untied after Northport’s first possession of the third quarter when Hernandez threw a perfect strike to Christian Campoli for a 34-yard touchdown to put Northport up 14-7.

Valenti would put the game away midway through the 4th quarter when he blasted through the middle for a 49-yard touchdown, to make the score 21-7 in favor of the Tigers. 

Northport is 1-1 on the season as Smithtown East falls to 0-2.

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Kings Park sophomore Nikki Caratozzolo heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park senior Sophia Kennedy settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park goalie Alex Scott makes the stop. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park sophomore Nikki Caratozzolo redirects the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park senior Mia Plutzer battles for possession. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park defender Gianna Zawol takes control. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park forward Victoria Menzies heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park forward Sophia Reyes settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River defender Grace Hillis heads the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park forward Sophia Reyes settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River midfielder Olivia Pesso battles midfield for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophia Reyes battles Grace Hillis for possession. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park senior Julia Zdanowski clears the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park defender Gianna Zawol clears the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River defender Stamatia Almiroudis heads the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis takes flight for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park goalie Alex Scott makes the stop. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Mia Gengler takes flight for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park senior Julia Zdanowski clears the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park defender Gianna Zawol with a long clearing kick. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park forward Sophia Reyes settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Bella Sweet heads the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River goalie Morgan Lesiewicz makes the save. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats score. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park goalie Alex Scott with another save. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park defender Megan Kearny with a long clearing kick. Photo by Bill Landon

Kings Park hosted the Wildcats of Shoreham-Wading River in a girls soccer matchup Tuesday, Sept. 19, when the Lady Kingsmen struggled to find the net in this League III contest.

The Wildcats struck 14 minutes into the opening half when freshman Shealyn Varbero stretched the net to take the lead into the halftime break. The Wildcat defense was able to keep Kings Park at bay when sophomore Mia Mangano scored the insurance goal for the Wildcats with 19 minutes left in regulation to lead 2-0 for the final score.

Shoreham-Wading River goalkeeper Morgan Lesiewicz had five saves and Kings Park goalie Alex Scott stopped 14. The win lifts the Wildcats to 4-1 in the early going, and Kings Park drops to 2-1-1.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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By Rita J. Egan

When a bio-musical is a success, audience members leave inspired and feeling as if they traveled back in time. That’s precisely what the John W. Engeman Theater’s cast and crew have accomplished for theatergoers with their production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which opened Sept. 14.

New York theater lovers first experienced the production on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre from January 2014 to October 2019. The jukebox musical, with book by Douglas McGrath, explores Carole King’s earlier musical and life experiences woven into the beautiful tapestry of this prolific songwriter and singer’s career. 

The production takes the audience on a musical journey from Carole’s first step into the entertainment world in 1958, when at 16 she sold her first song to publisher Don Kirshner, to her career-transforming album Tapestry.

While working for Kirshner, Carole meets lyricist Gerry Goffin at Queens College and collaborates with him professionally. The pair become romantically involved and young parents while creating hits for groups such as The Drifters and The Shirelles. During their partnership, Carole and Gerry enjoy a friendly competition with the songwriting team of Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Unfortunately, Carole and Gerry’s marriage is rocky, leading to divorce. However, the split propels the songwriter to branch out and sing her own music.

The Engeman production is masterfully directed by Paul Stancato, which is apparent in the actors’ fabulous portrayals of the iconic personalities and how they smoothly transition from one scene to another.

Stephanie Lynne Mason does an extraordinary job portraying Carole as a humble, modest songwriter who lacks confidence in her looks and singing talents. However, as the musical progresses, Mason seamlessly evolves into a more confident Carole, ready to take on Carnegie Hall. 

As Act I closes, Mason’s rendition of “One Fine Day,” after the songwriter finds out her husband hasn’t been faithful, nails the heartbreak Carole must have felt when she heard the news. Mason demonstrates that depth again during the reprise of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” during the second act, and toward the end of the show, she has everyone feeling as if they are sitting in Carnegie Hall listening to a Grammy Award-winning star.

Jack Cahill-Lemme perfectly captures Gerry’s turmoil as he deals with depression and is so convincing as a womanizer that it’s difficult not to get upset at him when Gerry breaks Carole’s heart. As for his singing, his delivery of “Pleasant Valley Sunday” in Act II sounds even better than the Monkees’ version.

Sarah Ellis as Cynthia is everything you would expect from a successful songwriter — fun, flirty and sexy. From her first number, “Happy Days/Cynthia,” audience members know they will be in for a treat with Ellis on stage.

Noah Berry is perfect as the hypochondriac Barry, who falls in love with Cynthia. He delivers an energized and impressive “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” in the second act. The musical is also filled with some funny lines, and Ellis and Berry skillfully lighten the mood.

Playing Carole’s mother, Genie Klein, is Laura Leigh Carroll, who portrays her with just the right amount of strength and love. Devon Goffman is perfect in his portrayal of Don Kirshner, acting as a respected patriarch who balances motivating his ensemble of songwriters with caring about them as people.

A review of the Engeman’s production of Beautiful wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the ensemble members. Early in Act 1, the ensemble treats the audience to “1650 Broadway Medley.” This number is just a preview of what’s in store for the audience from the talented singers and dancers as most of them hit the stage later to sing pop classics, stealing the spotlight from the main characters.

Cory Simmons, Damien DeShaun Smith, Dwayne Washington and Leron Wellington are suave and debonair as The Drifters. Their renditions of “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Up on the Roof” and “On Broadway” are swoon-worthy.

Renee Marie Titus, Zuri Washington, Cecily Dionne Davis and Cece Morin bring to the stage all the glamor, style and talent of The Shirelles with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Davis returns to the stage and shines once again as fictional singer Janelle Woods singing “One Fine Day,” and Morin as Little Eva sounds fantastic singing “The Loco-motion.” Joe Caskey and Jack B. Murphy as The Righteous Brothers also deliver a powerful “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’.”

The Engeman musicians, led by Jeff Cox, are equally impressive on all the tunes. Kyle Dixon has done a phenomenal job creating a stage design that is versatile yet eye-catching with golden-colored sliding panels, and costume designer Dustin Cross has captured the fun and glamor of the 1960s perfectly.

The beauty of Engeman’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is that theatergoers don’t have to be fans of the artist or the songs of the 1960s to enjoy a spectacular night of entertainment. The cast and crew have once again crafted a production worthy of Broadway.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical through Oct. 29. Tickets range from $85 to $95. For more information, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

All photos courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater.

See a preview of the show here.

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