Theatre Review "A Christmas Story, The Musical" At Engeman Theater

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photos: Engeman Theater

Put Seeing Engeman Theater’s Latest Production on Your Yuletide Wish List

Ryan Hunt (The Old Man) and Ensemble The John W. Engeman Theater’s magical production of A Christmas Story, The Musical, is a holiday must-see for the whole family. The cast is bursting with talent, including an abundance of charismatic children who will wow you with their singing, acting, and dancing abilities.  

Based on the beloved 1983 film A Christmas Story, this holiday musical has a book by Joseph Robinette and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. This show had a Broadway run during the 2012 Christmas season, an engagement at Madison Square Garden in 2013, and a successful production at the Engeman theater in 2014.

Ryan Hunt (The Old Man), Rachel Gubow (Mother), Jackson Parker Gill (Randy), Kaian Lilen (Ralphie) Leigh Brown, Bob Clark, and Jean Shepherd wrote the original movie based on Shephard’s book: In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash. Michael Fasciano gave a heartwarming performance as Jean Shepherd, the legendary radio personality who serves as the narrator in this coming-of-age Christmas musical.

A Christmas Story, The Musical takes place in 1940 in the fictitious small town of Hohman, Indiana. The riotous plot revolves around Ralphie Parker, a likable, strong-willed nine-year-old with an overactive imagination. He only wants one gift for Christmas: an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Kaian Lilien gave a powerhouse performance as Ralphie Parker. “Ralphie to the Rescue” was a spectacular musical number where Ralphie, wearing a sparkling cowboy outfit designed by the amazingly gifted Dustin Cross, fantasizes about how he and his prized Christmas BB gun will save the day.

Kaian Lilen (Ralphie), Raquel Sciacca (Ensemble), Quinn Oliver Lessing (Flick), Liam Polani (Schwartz), Avery Sell (Ensemble), Sofia Jarmel (Ensemble), Lanene Charters (Miss Shields) Rachel Gubow was warm and likable as Mother. Ms. Gubow has a beautiful singing voice and gave a touching performance during her solo, “What a Mother Does.” 

Jackson Parker Gill as Randy, Ralphie’s finicky little brother, had some of the funniest lines in the show, and he delivered them with perfect comedic timing. The audience roared with laughter when his mother stuffed him into a one-piece snowsuit.

Jackson Parker Gill (Randy), Kaian Lilen (Ralphie), and Ensemble In the performance I saw on Saturday evening, Cayel Tregeagle played Ralphie’s father, who is referred to as “The Old Man.” Mr. Tregeagle aced the part, and one of the show’s highlights was the musical number, “A Major Award,” in which “The Old Man” celebrates the fact that he won a sexy leg lamp! The company joined Mr. Tregeagle using life-sized light-up leg lamps as dance partners. The audience wildly applauded when the dancers used this one-legged prop in a kickline routine.

Another standout fantasy musical number was “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out,” where Miss Shields, Ralphie’s teacher, brilliantly portrayed by Lanene Charters, dons a flapper dress, and she and the company perform a breathtaking tap dance routine. The audience was amazed by the talent of the young tap dancers.

Kaian Lilen (Ralphie) Kyle Dixon’s movable scenic design allowed for the necessary quick scene changes, and the set for the Parker’s home was warm and inviting, evoking the feeling that we are in a 1940s-era home. I loved the cozy kitchen with the matching checkered curtains and tablecloth and the under-the-sink cabinet, which was big enough for Randy to hide in. On Christmas morning, the magnificent tree, all lit up and decorated in the living room, was a beautiful sight to behold.

Kudos to Mara Newbery Greer, who directed and choreographed this musical. She brought out the best in this enormous cast, and the stunning result was a top-notch, polished production. The band, under the astute direction of Daniel Mollett, meshed perfectly with the singing and dancing.

Liam Polani (Schwartz), Quinn Oliver Lessing (Flick), and Ensemble A standing ovation goes out to the stellar ensemble, including Lindsay Lee Alhady, Matthew Blum, Finn Brown, Sy Chounchaisit, Jordan Coates, Jake Cooney, Bobby M. Davis, Anthony De Marte, Mackenzie Germain, James Garrett Hill, Sofia Jarmel, Kayla Kennedy, Max Lamberg, Quinn Oliver Lessing, Timmy Lewis, Paige Mathers, Katie Pohlman, Liam Polani, Tony Romero, Raquel Livia Sciacca, Avery Sell, Luca Silva, and Tara Sweeney.

Saturday night’s audience showed their appreciation for thisJackson Parker Gill (Randy) and Rachel Gubow (Mother) spectacular holiday production by giving it a rousing standing ovation. The show runs through December 31. Tickets can be purchased by calling 631-261-2900, going online at www.engemantheater.com, or visiting the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport. 

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. Two of her monologues from her full-length plays are featured in Smith and Kraus’s The Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 2022 and The Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 2022. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

Theatre Review: Theatre Three's "A Christmas Carol"

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photos: Ana McCasland

Don’t Miss Theatre Three’s Spectacular 38^th Annual Production of “A Christmas Carol!”

In 1881, the American journalist Kate Field wrote in praise of A Christmas Carol, “In December 1943, all England was aroused from its selfish slumbering by the sound of a carol. It was no carol sung by a bird; it was sung by a man, and that man was Charles Dickens.”

A Christmas Carol was the first of many Christmas stories penned by the illustrious English author Charles Dickens. Dickens was amazed by the strange mastery in which this story seized him, how he wept over it, laughed, and wept again as he wrote this beloved Christmastime novella. In the evenings and late into the night, he would walk through the back streets of London for hours, mile after mile, consumed by the characters and the tale they were telling him. Amazingly, he completed this holiday masterpiece in just six weeks.

What makes Dickens stand out as one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era is the timeless, unforgettable, fictionalized characters he created that touched the hearts, souls, and minds of his readers. Perhaps, one of Dickens’ most memorable characters is Ebenezer Scrooge. I mean, come on, who hasn’t heard of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly, mean-spirited businessman who makes a miraculous transformation for the better after being haunted by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, and three Spirits?

Theatre Three’s Executive Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel has portrayed Scrooge nearly 1500 times! To many Long Islanders, Mr. Sanzel is the quintessential Scrooge. His stellar performance Saturday night reflected his years of painstaking study of this ghostly Christmas morality tale in an earnest effort to understand the essence of the soul of Ebenezer Scrooge. The richness and depth of characterization Mr. Sanzel displayed blew me and the audience away. In “Christmas Yet to Come,” I fully expect to see Mr. Sanzel continue to amaze us with the enormity of his talent.

When the play begins, we are eerily reminded, “Marley was dead … There is no doubt about that.” The echoingTheatre Three A CHRISTMAS CAROL Jeffrey Sanzel, Julie Friedman, Alexa Eichinger, Dylan Rumble, Patrick Hutchinson, on steps Scott Hofer of this indisputable reality made Stephen T. Wangner’s dramatic portrayal of the remorseful ghost of Jacob Marley, draped in chains, all the more spine-chilling.  

Danielle Pafundi is utterly ethereal as the Ghost of Christmas Past. The two six-year-old girls sitting behind me were awestruck when Ms. Pafundi appeared in her magnificent white gown, looking like a cross between a bride and a fairy princess. One of the little girls whispered, “I really like her.” I am sure if any of us were to be visited by a specter in the night, we would choose to be haunted by the angelic Ms. Pafundi.

As The Ghost of Christmas Present, Scott Hofer displayed his comedic genius and garnered many belly laughs, providing the audience with much-needed comedic relief. Other sources of great humor came from Mr. Hofer’s delightful portrayal of the lovable Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge’s first employer. Ginger Dalton was magnificent as Mrs. Fezziwig, a down-to-earth loving wife. The onstage antics and chemistry between this couple were a source of pure joy whenever they graced the stage. As their loving daughter, Belle, Samantha Fierro gave a standout performance. Belle was also Scrooge’s fiancée, who broke off their engagement when she came to see just how greedy and obsessed with money he had become.

Theatre Three A CHRISTMAS CAROL Scott Hofer, Jeffrey SanzelPerhaps one of the most dramatic onstage moments occurred when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come ominously appeared, donning a larger-than-life costume that Sean Amato expertly manned. This Spirit reveals some future tragic events, including the death of Tiny Tim, if Scrooge doesn’t correct the errors of his ways. Mr. Amato also made for a very likable Fred Halliwell, Scrooge’s kind, forgiving, family-oriented nephew.  

I always love seeing Theatre Three veteran actor Douglas J. Quattrock in anything he does, but he is most endearing as Bob Cratchit, the long-suffering employee of Scrooge. Mr. Quattrock’s touching solo was one of the show’s highlights. As Bob Cratchit’s devoted wife, Linda May gave a moving and heartrending performance. Kathleen Arabelle Han made for an adorable Tiny Tim. With her charismatic stage presence, she is a superstar in the making.

Every aspect of this show is polished and professional, and a standing ovation goes out to Theatre Three’s top-notch creative and technical team. The outstanding lighting and sound design by Robert W. Henderson, Jr., and Randall Parsons’ awe-inspiring set design and authentic Victorian costumes greatly added to the overall success of this production.

Theatre Three A CHRISTMAS CAROL The Entire CompanyIn today’s modern world, where every day is Amazon.com Christmas because everyone buys whatever they need or don’t need all year round, it can be a daunting task to figure out what to buy your friends and family members. Treating them to a night out at the theatre with you would make a fantastic gift. Theatre Three’s yearly holiday tradition of presenting Jeffrey Sanzel’s every evolving adaptation of this beloved Christmas classic would be a great venue to ring in the holiday season and create a memory that you and yours will remember forever.

A special shoutout goes to the rest of the stellar cast, including Steven Uihlein, Ava Andrejko, Ellie Dunn, Alexa Eichinger, Samantha Fierro, Griffin Fleming, Julie Friedman, Skye Greenberg, Patrick Hutchinson, Brooke Morrison, Michaela Reis, Dylan Paige Rumble, Vivian Leigh Rumble, Jennifer Salvia, Addyson Urso, Hannah Waller, and Cassidy Worrell. 

Theater Three’s magical performance of the timeless classic A Christmas Carol is a holiday must-see! The show runs through December 30.  For tickets, call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of three self-help books, Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. 

Theatre Review 'Guys And Dolls' At Theatre Three

By Cindi Sansone-Braff 

Photos Brian Hoerger

I’ll Bet the Farm You’ll Love Theatre Three’s “Guys and Dolls”

Entire Company of ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Theatre ThreeTheatre Three made a wise decision to kick off its 52nd season with a revival of Guys and Dolls, the screwball musical comedy from Broadway’s Golden Age. With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows, and based on stories and characters created by Damon Runyon, this show opened on Broadway in 1950, ran for 1,200 performances, and picked up the Tony Award for Best Musical. In 1955, Samuel Goldwyn Productions made this Broadway musical into a film starring Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Vivian Blaine. 

From the moment the show begins, the audience gets caught up in the hustle and bustle of New York City life. The actors scurry busily about the stage in Ronald Green III and Jason Allyn’s authentic period costumes, with the men wearing suits, ties, and fedoras; and the women donning dresses, hats, pearls, purses, and gloves.

This show has a huge cast, and a lot is happening on stage at every moment of every scene. Director Jeffrey Sanzel’s excellent staging kept the show well-paced, polished, and professional, from lights up to the dazzling finale.

Kevin Shaw and Rachel GreenblattRachel Greenblatt gave an outstanding performance as the idealistic missionary Sister Sarah Brown from Save-a-Soul Mission. She is hellbent on saving sinners, and she lets this fact be known when she belts out “Follow the Fold,” a song imploring people to stray no more and seek repentance. Ms. Greenblatt has a sweet soprano voice and gave a riveting performance during this up-tempo, comedic, jazzy song.

Kevin Shaw made his Theatre Three debut as Sky Masterson, the smooth-talking, handsome high-stakes gambler whose luck never seems to run out. When Mr. Shaw entered the stage wearing a perfectly tailored three-piece suit and fedora, he already had the audience in the palm of his hands. Mr. Shaw has star quality, that indefinable something that makes an audience believe that a performer is magical. The sky’s the limit for this triple-threat actor, who can sing, dance, and act. I hope to see him time and time again on Theatre Three’s mainstage.

At the end of Act I, Sarah (Rachel Greenblatt) and Sky (Kevin Shaw) discover, much to their mutual surprise, that they have fallen in love. Their passionate duet, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” was one of the highlights of the evening.

Angelo DiBiase and Steven UihleinTheatre Three veteran, Steven Uihlein, was lovable as Nathan Detroit, a nice enough guy, although plagued with a gambling problem. Nathan runs an illegal floating crap game to earn a living and constantly dodges the cops. Angelo DiBiase, as Lt. Brannigan, was most believable in his portrayal of a by-the-books police officer at his wit’s end because Nathan and the other gamblers are always outsmarting him.  

Nathan is also a diehard commitment-phobic, finding any excuse to put off the nuptials, although he has been engaged for 14 years to his fiancée, Adelaide, played by Sari Feldman. Ms. Feldman, with her heavy New York accent and expressive body language, aced the role of a singer/showgirl with more heart than brains. Ms. Feldman and Mr. Uihlein have great chemistry, and their duet “Sue Me” held the audience spellbound. Ms. Feldman has pitch-perfect vocals and great comedic timing. These talents were apparent during her performance of “Adelaide’s Lament,” a song about how being single has caused her to have psychosomatic symptoms that manifest as a continuous cold.

Melanie Acampora, Tamralynn Dorsa, Samantha Fierro, Melissa Norman, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, and Michelle ShapiroThe Hot Box Girls, who perform with Adelaide at the Hot Box club, looked fabulous in their showgirl costumes. They are all talented performers, and a big round of applause goes out to Melanie Acampora, Tamralynn Dorsa, Samantha Fierro, Melissa Norman, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, and Michelle Shapiro.

Finn MacDevitt gave a spot-on performance in the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson, a compulsive gambler and associate of Nathan Detroit. Mr. MacDevitt is a comic genius, delivering his lines with expert timing. He demonstrated his powerful vocals during the big production number “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”  Linda May, as General Cartwright, the regional director of the Save-a-Soul mission, was hilarious when she finally ripped loose and joined in the festivities.

James Taffurelli gave a solid performance as Big Jule, a sore-losing hustler from Chicago. Big Jule seemed to appear on stage out of nowhere, just menacingly standing there, stone-faced and silent, and the audience knew this was a man to be feared. However, Mr. Taffurelli revealed Big Jule’s softer side when he got momentarily swept up in the heat of the “hallelujah” moment at the mission. 

Michael J. Butera as Arvide Abernathy, Sarah’s grandfather and the leader of the mission band, gave a heartwarming rendition of “More I Cannot Wish You.”

The scenic design by Randall Parsons transforms in an instant from a bustling Time Square cityscape, with neon signs, billboards, and towering buildings, into the glamorous Hot Box Club. When Nathan opens a manhole cover, the set morphs into a dingy sewer. This grungy underground tunnel system with huge sewage pipes was the only place Nathan could find to host a crap game. In this unsavory setting, the showstopping “Luck Be a Lady” number enfolds. Mr. Shaw, as Sky Masterson, gave a stellar rendition of this classic song while the other gamblers joined him in a high-energy, athletic dance routine choreographed by the gifted Ryan Nolin.

Theatre Three’s spectacular revival of Guys and Dolls is a sure bet. See it! You’ll love it, “A Bushel and a Peck!”

The show runs through October 22, 2022. To purchase tickets, visit www.theatrethree.com or Call the Box office: 631-928-9100.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. Two of her monologues from her full-length plays are featured in Smith and Kraus’s The Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 2022 and The Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 2022. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

NPR's Nina Totenberg At Cinema Arts Centre In Huntington

NPR’s Nina Totenberg Promotes Memoir and Answers Tough Questions at Long Island Litfest

By Adam Navas

Last Friday NPR’s acclaimed legal affairs correspondent - and New York native - Nina Totenberg promoted her new book Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendship before a sold-out audience. Held in Huntington at the Cinema Arts Centre, Totenberg joins a list of renowned authors and celebrities, such as Erik Larson and David Duchovney, in this year’s Long Island Litfest. Due to its recent release, most in the audience hadn’t read the book prior, and all received a copy included in the ticket price. Joye Brown, a columnist and associate editor for Newsday, took the stage with Totenberg to provide questions and conversation before the audience Q&A. The discussion between the two journalists shed light on Dinners with Ruth’s recapitulation of the decades-long friendship between Totenberg and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, providing insight into their more human, vulnerable, and hilarious interactions. However, once the audience was given the microphone it was clear they were more interested in the socio-political stakes and repercussions of the contemporary Supreme Court than the fun banter between two iconic women. 

The first question from the crowd addressed the controversy that perhaps if Ginsberg had retired from the Court during Obama’s presidency, the current conservative majority would’ve been avoided. Totenberg answered quickly, explaining that her friend’s health had been in a positive place at the time and that she had assumed Clinton to be the winner of the 2016 election. She speculated that if Ginsberg had known her health would decline and that Trump would win the presidency, she would’ve taken those precautionary steps. Totenberg likened it to a “gamble,” and that Ginsberg lost. To which a woman in the back of the audience retorted, “no, WE lost!”

Immediately after, the questions leaned more toward the future of the Supreme Court and American journalism. Totenberg was asked about court-packing, which she strongly cautioned against, stating that Ginsberg would have agreed if she were still alive. She was asked if there should be a regulatory committee in charge of separating truth from fact in the current media, a concept she couldn’t help but scoff at, asserting that Americans should have enough intelligence to discern between the two. And when asked about term limits for Justices, she reminded everyone of the uphill road that sort of decision would take - an amendment to the constitution is only possible with a House majority, a senate majority, and three-fourths of the States.

After a few more audience interactions of a similar nature, it became clear there wouldn’t be any questions about the memoir itself, and that Brown would soon have to wrap up the evening. Yet, even with the light interrogation, Totenberg responded to each query with knowledge, grace, and accuracy. By the end, she received a standing ovation and a unanimously warm reception. While not providing a clear plan of action for a future in today’s dangerous judicial climate, she still managed to ignite a spark of hope. Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendship is now available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook. 

Adam Navas is an award-winning filmmaker/screenwriter, in both narrative and documentary, currently residing in Los Angeles. Navas has worked for major networks such as Disney, NBC, and Hulu, as well as producing his own internationally-screened content. His social media journalism throughout the pandemic garnered a following of over sixty-thousand people and millions of views. In 2020, he was awarded top honors by the Golden Script Competition, Milan Gold, Hollywood Just4Shorts, and Short Stop International. He currently has three films - one documentary, two narratives - slated for release in 2023. 

Theatre Review 'Mystic Pizza' At Engeman Theater

Get a Musical Slice of Seaside Life at Engeman Theater

Left to right: Emily Rose Lyons (Daisy), Michelle Beth Herman (JoJo), Brooke Sterling (Kat), Coleman Cummings (Ensemble), Andryi Nahimiak (Ensemble), Stephen Cerf (Bill)While standing out front of the John W. Engeman Theater after Saturday night’s opening performance of the new musical Mystic Pizza, a gentleman commented loudly to his friends, “Oh, yeah, I liked it. I mean, I didn’t fall asleep. That’s how I rate a show as good!”  I can attest that the entire audience was wide awake and energized throughout this exuberant production. During the finale, the audience gave a rousing standing ovation as the company belted out “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” a song that was a number one hit back in 1987.

Cast of Mystic Pizza Based on the classic 1988 movie starring Julia Roberts, this coming-of-age rom-com centers around the hopes, dreams, and loves of three waitresses in Mystic, Connecticut. The three talented actresses portraying the leads, Emily Rose Lyons, Brooke Sterling, and Michelle Beth Herman, are the glue that holds this production together. They have abundant energy, great onstage chemistry, and stellar vocals.

This jukebox musical features a book by Sandy Rustin and many belovedLeft to right: Brooke Sterling (Kat), Emily Rose Lyons (Daisy) pop songs from the ’80s and ’90s by legendary artists such as John Mellencamp, Van Morrison, Melissa Etheridge, and Long Island’s own Debbie Gibson. 

Mystic, Connecticut, is one of those seaside villages that are sleepy all winter long and inhabited year-round by hardworking, down-to-earth, often down-on-their-luck “townies.” In the summertime, the place teems with snobby tourists. The contrast between these two diverse groups is a major source of conflict throughout the show.

Emily Rose Lyons aced the role of Daisy, a tough-as-nails, proud first-generation American of Portuguese descent. Ms. Lyons is a charismatic performer and lit up the stage as the disgruntled, hot-to-trot waitress hellbent on getting out of Mystic by pursuing “the prince of prep,” Charles Gordon Windsor, Jr. By the end of the musical, Daisy has come to realize her self-worth and is no longer expecting a knight in shining armor to rescue her. She knows she has to save herself. Ms. Lyons showcased her powerful vocals with her soulful version of “I’m the Only One.” 

Jake Bentley Young gave a strong performance as Charles, a young man torn between his family’s expectations and his dreams of becoming an artist. Ms. Lyons and Mr. Bentley gave a riveting rendition of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” 

Brooke Sterling (Kat)Brooke Sterling brilliantly portrayed Daisy’s sister, Kat. She was most convincing as a Yale student, studying to be an astronomer, and juggling a host of jobs to pay for her tuition. Although Kat is a brainiac, she is clueless about matters of the heart, particularly when she crushes on a married architect, Tim Travers. Corbin Payne, as Tim Travers, gave a memorable performance. His duet with Ms. Sterling, “Into the Mystic,” was one of the highlights of the evening.

Michelle Beth Herman gave a tour-de-force performance as JoJo, a high-energy, conflicted young woman. She dreams of owning the Mystic Pizza Restaurant and frets over whether or not she is ready to marry her fiancé, Bill, even though she has loved him since kindergarten. Stephen Cerf was likable as Bill, and his hilarious wedding dance with JoJo was a scene stealer. Mr. Cerf also showed off his strong vocals during his solo, “Addicted to Love.”

Kathryn Markey rocked the role of Leona Silvia, the owner of the Mystic Pizza Restaurant. Ms. Markey is aLeft to right: Emily Rose Lyons (Daisy), Brooke Sterling (Kat), Michelle Beth Herman (JoJo) natural-born comedian and an incredible performer. When she joined the trio of waitresses singing and dancing to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” the audience laughed at her riotous dance moves and funny facial expressions.

When you enter the theater, Kyle Dixon’s realistic, charming New England seaside set will mesmerize you. The movable multilevel center section transforms with a few quick turns from the Mystic Pizza Restaurant into a rental house, the Peg Leg Pub, and a Planetarium.

Jose Santiago’s lighting design created the feeling of long summer days and romantic evenings, and the Planetarium scene with the mini spotlights was a clever touch. Mr. Santiago effectively created realistic flashes of lightning, and Laura Shubert’s spot-on thunder and pelting rain sound effects made the audience feel like they were caught in a surprise summer storm.  

Left to right: Stephen Cerf (Bill), Andryi Nahimiak (Ensemble), Brandon Kallen (Ensemble), Coleman Cummings (Ensemble), Michelle Beth Herman (JoJo)The funky 80’s costumes by Dustin Cross looked great on the cast. I loved the wedding scene costumes, especially JoJo’s spectacular wedding dress, worn with white sneakers, Bill’s white tux, and the bridesmaid’s colorful costumes and headpieces.

Igor Goldin’s precision-perfect direction utilized every square inch of the fantastic set, and Ashley Marinelli’s choreography captured the exact mood of every song in the show.

This show uses many realistic props, including the cast dancing with a pepper mill, parmesan shakers, and beer bottles. A big round of applause goes out to Kristie Moschetta for her Props Design.

This sizzling show, set in the iconic Mystic seaport, is the perfect way for you, your friends, and your family to bid farewell to summer 2022.

A special shoutout goes to the powerhouse ensemble, which includes Carey Blackburn, Coleman Cummings, Brandon Kallen, Kent M. Lewis, Andryi Nahirniak, Brandt Norris, Hannah Record, Molly Samson, Elise Shangold, and swings Paris Martino and Michael Morley.

The show runs through October 30, 2022. Tickets can be purchased by calling 631-261-2900, going online at www.engemantheater.com, or visiting the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport. 

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. Two of her monologues from her full-length plays are featured in Smith and Kraus’s The Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 2022 and The Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 2022. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

Theatre Review 'The Cher Show"

The Cher Show at Patchogue Theater: The Beat Goes on

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

The Gateway’s production of The Cher Show is a smash hit, and the rousing standing ovation after Saturday night’s performance seemed to go on forever!

This exuberant jukebox musical with a book by Rick Elise tells the tale of how the shy, introverted, and insecure Cherilyn Sarkisian became the iconic performer known simply as “Cher.” This legendary singer, television star, comedian, and actress has won an Academy Award, a Grammy, three Golden Globes, and an Emmy.

Cher has reinvented and transformed herself so many times during her decades-long career that the show’s creators decided that three separate actresses would have to be cast to portray all these successful incarnations. Lucky for us, The Gateway found three multitalented performers, Aléna Watters, Charissa Hogeland, and Madeline Hudelson, to bring this legend to life. Each of these rising superstars brings the right amount of sass to their characterization of Cher, knows how to belt out a tune, and delivers the funny one-liners Cher is known for with perfect comedic timing. Donning their stunning costumes, this terrific trio looked, sounded, and sang the part.

Aléna Watters as Star, the mature warrior/goddess incarnation of Cher, takes us through the 1980s and 90s, reminiscing about her life and career choices, and willingly shares her down-to-earth wisdom with the audience as if they are her new BFFs. During these tumultuous years, Cher made her mark in Hollywood, made peace with her recently deceased business partner and ex-husband Sonny Bono, and triumphantly made her comeback with the hit album and song “Believe.” Ms. Watters’s showstopping rendition of “The Way of Love” was a memorable moment in musical theater.

Charissa Hogeland portrays Lady, the wild child Cher we knew during the 1970s era. Ms. Hogeland masterfully navigates the rollercoaster of emotions Cher experienced during this life-changing decade. There were the highs and lows Cher encountered while doing the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and the burnout she felt from performing one show after another, including her stint at the Las Vegas casinos. In 1974, Cher had an acrimonious split with Sonny, calling her marriage “involuntary servitude.” During Act I, Ms. Hogeland got to show off her powerhouse vocals with “Bang Bang,” the dramatic song written by Sony Bono, which became Cher’s first million-selling single.

Madeline Hudelson as Babe was charismatic in her depiction of Cher in the early years of her life, spanning the 1950s and 60s. At 16, Cher left home to pursue her dreams of being a performer, and as fate would have it, met Sonny Bono, played by Dino Nicandros. Ms. Hudelson and Mr. Nicandros’s duet, “I Got You Babe,” was heartwarming and one of my favorite numbers in the show. Mr. 

Nicandros gave an outstanding performance as Sonny, a complex man with a Napoleon complex who needed to control everything and everyone, especially Cher.

Featured in this show are also two of Cher’s other love interests, Gregg Allman and Rob Camilletti.  John Rochette was very believable as Gregg Allman, the southern rocker/stoner/man-child who couldn’t get his act together, even though he fathered a child with Cher. Mr. Rochette rocked his solo, “Midnight Rider/Ramblin’ Man.

Alexander Rios was charming and convincing as Rob Camilletti, dubbed by the media with the unflattering moniker “Bagel Boy.” Rob Camilletti was considerably younger than Cher when he met her in 1986, which was more cannon fodder for the paparazzi. The term “Cougar” wasn’t coined until 2002, with the publication of Valorie Gibson’s Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men,” proving once again that Cher was way ahead of her time. This musical makes it clear that Mr. Camilletti was wrongly depicted in the media as Cher’s “Boy Toy” because he was one of the great loves of her life.

This production features the breathtaking Tony-Award-winning costumes Bob Mackie created for the original Broadway The Cher Show. These dazzling costumes are the real scene stealers in this show. From the opening number, “If I Could Turn Back Time,” with Ms. Watters strutting around the stage in the infamous figure-hugging black jersey catsuit, with the mesh-filled cutouts and the black motorcycle jacket; to Ms. Hudelson’s showstopping performance as she gyrates and shimmies through the “The Beat Goes On,” dressed in a to die for gold mini dress with dangling sequins. And, of course, there was the “Naked Dress” she wore to the Met Gala in 1974 that caused such a scandal that Cher just had to flaunt it again in 1975 on the cover of Time magazine. Then there was Cher’s unforgettable, over-the-top “Mohawk” costume that was the talk of the Academy Awards in 1986. During Act 1, the song “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do” is a non-stop fashion show that wowed the audience. 

Angie Schworer was terrific as Cher’s tough, but ever-supportive mother.  Ms. Schworer delivered a heartrending version of “You Better Sit Down, Kid,” during the moving scene where she is telling Cher that her dad is leaving.

Gateway veteran, David Engel, did a superb job of portraying several characters, including Bob Mackie, Robert Altman, and Frank. I particularly enjoyed his spot-on depiction of the Tony Award-winning costume designer, Bob Mackie.

Brilliantly directed by David Ruttura and with exciting choreography by Jane Lanier to 35 of Cher’s smash hits, you don’t want to miss this show. One of my favorite dance numbers was the hauntingly beautiful choreography performed during the pop rock song “Dark Lady.”

Kudos to the supremely talented ensemble that includes Kevin Michael Buckley, Les Gibbs, Anna Hiran, Alyssa Ishihara, Jesse Jones, Gabriel Kearns, Ernesto Olivas, Merrill Peiffer, Nikki Rinaudo-Concessi, BB Stone, TJ Tapp, Jordan Taylor, and Mat Webb, and Swings Corrie Newman, Ernesto Olivas, and Nikki Rinaudo-Concessi.

The Gateway’s polished to perfection The Cher Show is a definite do not miss production!

The show runs through September 11 at the Patchogue Theatre. Tickets can be purchased as a curated or flexible subscription - giving you the best value on ticket prices and many other great benefits - or as single tickets (starting at $59). The Gateway also offers Youth and Teen pricing on some performances and Student Rush tickets which can only be purchased one hour before show-time, at the door, and with a valid Student ID. For more information, contact the Box Office at (631) 286-1133, or visit the website at Https://TheGateway.org.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. Two of her monologues from her full-length plays are featured in Smith and Kraus’s The Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 2022 and The Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 2022.www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

Theatre Review: "Get On Your Feet" At Engeman Theater

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

The Rhythm’s Gonna Get You at Engeman Theater

Victor Souffrant (Emilio Estefan) and Alexis Semevolos-Velazquez (Gloria Estefan)On Your Feet! is a 2015 Broadway musical that follows the 26-time Grammy Award-winning husband and wife team, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, on their journey to superstardom. The musical features many of their record-breaking smash hits, including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “1.2.3,” “Get On Your Feet,” plus an original ballad written for the musical by Gloria and her daughter Emily Estefan, “If I Never Got to Tell You.”

Alexis Semevolos-Velazquez (Gloria Estefan) and EnsembleThis is one of those rare jukebox musicals where the songs fit the show because they are part and parcel of the story of Gloria and Emilio. On Your Feet takes you behind the music and inside the real story of the obstacles, prejudice, and heartbreak this dynamic duo experienced along the way. Alexander Dinelaris penned this well-crafted, well-paced show, and the music and lyrics are by Gloria and Emilio Estefan & Miami Sound Machine.  

The enormously talented Sandalio Alvarez choreographed this show using an eclectic assortment of dance styles, including salsa, conga, traditional Cuban dances, modernAlexis Semevolos-Velazquez (Gloria Estefan) and Ensemble dance, as well as two-party dances: the Electric Slide and the hora.

The exquisite costumes by the gifted Cecilia X. Gutierrez were colorful and beautifully constructed. The spectacular outfits Ms. Estefan wore replicated many of the costumes she donned onstage throughout her career. This included the blue gown she wore at the American Music Awards when she gave a heartrending performance of “Coming Out of the Dark,” marking her first staged appearance after the 1990 bus accident that broke her back. 

The fantastic live band conducted by the keyboardist, Erika R. Gamez, added excitement and realism to the musical. A special shout-out goes to all the talented musicians, including Ray Sabatello, Gary Meyer, Russell Brown, Jim Waddell, Brent Chiarello, Brian Lewis, and Kevin Twigg.

Sofia Jarmel (Little Gloria) and Vincent Ortega (Ensemble) Alexis Semevolos-Velazquez, in the challenging role of Gloria Estefan, carries the show with her powerful pipes, strong acting ability, dynamic dance moves, and charisma. She gave a riveting performance with the upbeat hit “Live for Loving You.” Victor Souffrant was believable as Emilio Estefan. As an actor, Mr. Souffrant has a wide-emotional range and revealed Mr. Estefan’s innate psychological strength and his vulnerable side, especially when he encountered his less-than-welcoming mother-in-law. Mr. Souffrant created theatrical magic with his passionate delivery of the beautiful love song “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” as he grapples with ways to help his wife get through her terrible ordeal. Watching Gloria struggle through her arduous physical therapy session made the title of the musical, “On Your Feet,” take on a deeper meaning. The engine that fueled this show was the tremendous onstage chemistry between Ms. Semevolos-Velazquez and Mr.Souffrant. Their passionate duet during Act 1, “Here We Are,” was one of the show’s highlights.

Victor Souffrant (Emilio Estefan), Alexis Semevolos-Velazquez (Gloria Estefan) and Ensemble Carol Beaugard gave a stellar performance as Consuelo, Gloria’s feisty, funny, supportive, and outspoken grandmother. Nicole Paloma Sarro was excellent as Gloria Fajardo, Ms. Estefan’s troubled, critical, often judgmental mother, who was jealous of her daughter’s musical success. One of the most moving scenes in the show occurred in Act II. Ms. Estefan and her mother had been estranged for two years, but after the bus accident, her mother came to the hospital filled with remorse and regret. Ms. Sarro gave a moving rendition of “If I Never Got to Tell You,” and a cathartic and healing moment happened between her and her son-in-law, Emilio, when he joined her in singing this melancholy song. I could hear audience members sobbing during this moving duet, and when I looked over at my husband, I saw tears streaming down his cheek, mirroring my own.

Victor Souffrant (Emilio Estefan), Luca Silva (Nayib), Alexis Semevolos-Velazquez (Gloria Estefan) and Ensemble David De Almo gave an outstanding performance with his spot-on portrayal of Phil, the close-minded, stingy, and unyielding record label executive. One of the funniest moments in the show occurred during the showstopping “Conga” number, where Phil made a complete turnaround in his thinking when he realized the powerful effect Miami Sound Machine’s new music had on audiences.

Ryan Morales was brilliant as Jose Fajardo, Gloria’s father. His moving duet “Cuando Salí De Cuba” with Sofia Jarmel, as Little Gloria, opened the show on a high note. Ms. Jarmel is a rising star and gave a memorable performance as the shy, younger version of Ms. Estefan.

Gabriela Moscoso, as Gloria’s younger sister, Rebecca Fajardo, gave a heartwarming performance throughout and revealed her vocal prowess in her duet with her sister, “Anything for You.”

Luca Silva played the Estefan’s son Nayib, as well as young Emilio, Little Elvis, and Jeremy. That’s a lot of parts for a little fellow to play, but he aced them all, proving he is a true professional.

The stellar ensemble includes Mathew Bautista, Stevie Bovo, Camila Cardona, Anthony Cataldo, Sharlane Conner, Jasmine Maldonado, Susan Oliveras, Vincent Ortega, Facundo Agustin, Oscar Antonio Rodriguez, Rodolfo Santamarina, Luca Silva, and Marina Vidal.

Victor Souffrant (Emilio Estefan) and Ensemble I rarely, if ever, want to see a Broadway musical a second time, but I could see this production ten times in a row and still not have enough of it. You don’t have to be a Gloria and Emilio & Miami Sound Machine fan to love this show, but you will undoubtedly become a fan after seeing it. You will laugh. You will cry. You will dance in your seat and leave humming at least one of the songs. If I had to describe the Engeman Theater’s production of On Your Feet in one word, I would say: exhilarating!

The show runs now through August 28, 2022. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact engemantheater.com or Box Office: 631-261-2900.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

Theatre Review 'Little Mermaid'

The Gateway’s Little Mermaid is a Magical Show for Children of all Ages

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photo by Jeff Bellante

Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale and the beloved 1989 animated film. The music is by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and the book is by Doug Wright. The story revolves around Ariel, a beautiful mermaid princess, who falls in love with a human, Prince Eric. Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail and voice for legs. The bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder, Scuttle, and Sebastian, to restore order under the sea. 

This is a visually stunning production, with well-conceived set designs, projections, sea-colored fabrics, high wires, lighting, and sound effects, which all came together to create a magical kingdom under the sea. The many underwater scenes are breathtaking, including Ariel spinning from the bottom of the ocean to the water’s surface and Prince Eric’s near-drowning escapade. The ship sailing on the high sea and the rowboat scene are well engineered, and Scuttle’s flying scenes enthralled the audience.

Brilliantly directed by Larry Raben, with upbeat, energetic choreography by Debbie Roshe, expert musical direction by Charlie Reuter, and exquisite costumes by Amy Clark and Mark Koss, this is the perfect summer show for the entire family.

Emily Grace Tucker is the quintessential Disney princess, graceful, charismatic, and lovable. Ms. Tucker’s angelic voice was perfect for her solo “Part of Your World” and for her musical asides, which revealed her inner thoughts. As Prince Eric, her human love interest, the multi-talented Patrick Ortiz delivered a perfect performance with his charming stage presence and beautiful singing voice. He aced the beautiful ballad “Her Voice” and performed a phenomenal rendition of “One Step Closer.”

Jeremy Gaston made a most likable Sebastian. His upbeat delivery of “Under the Sea,” accompanied by the Sea Creatures, was an audience favorite, as was his pitch-perfect rendition of “Kiss the Girl.”  

Cait Zuckerman gave a riveting performance as Ursula, the manipulative and diabolical sea witch. Her magnificent costume, complete with tentacles, gave her an ominous, larger-than-life appearance. The audience appeared spellbound as she belted out “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” surrounded by her sinister electric eels, Jetsam, played by Louis Williams Jr., and Flotsam, played by Joe Hornberger. Mr. Hornberger and Mr. Williams looked devious in their light-up, skintight costumes, slithering around on their hoverboards.

David Engel as King Triton, donning a majestic costume, was a force to be reckoned with. He commanded the stage and was believable as the ruler of the sea and the father of Ariel and the Mersisters. He revealed his strong vocals in his sorrowful solo “If Only (Triton’s Lament). The second act reprise of “If Only (Quartet)” was a showstopper, again revealing the powerhouse vocals of King Triton as well as Ariel, Prince Eric, and Sebastian.

Jim Borstelmann’s outstanding portrayal of Scuttle, the know-it-all seagull, received some of the biggest laughs of the evening, whether he was flying about the stage or delivering his witty lines and malapropisms with expert comedic timing. The audience showed their approval by clapping wildly when he finished his hilarious rendition of “Positoovity,” accompanied by the Gulls.

Steve Brady as Grimsby, Prince Eric’s prim and proper valet, masterfully executed this part, and the audience got a kick out of him as he pounded his staff on the ground, demanding that the princesses stop their horrific singing during “The Contest.”

My favorite performer among this stellar cast was Adolpho Blaire, who gave an unforgettable performance as Chef Louis. This part calls for an adept comedic performer, and Mr. Blaire had the audience in stitches as he prepared a gourmet seafood dinner, all the while using his sharp kitchen cutlery to accent his passion for cooking and beheading fish.     

Addison Wasylyshyn, as Flounder, Ariel’s loyal guppy friend, played this part with just the right amount of spunk and innocence.  One of the show’s highlights happened when Flounder joined the Mersisters singing and dancing along with the fun do-wop song “She’s in Love.”

Another audience favorite was “Daughters of Triton,” when the Mersisters strutted about the stage wearing colorful mermaid costumes and wigs.  

Kudos to the talented ensemble Saki Masuda, Cait Zuckerman, LaTarika Pierce, Ari Glauser, Emma Schultz, Kaitlin Niewoehner, Kaitlyn LaGrega, Shannon Conboy, Corrie Newman, Nico DiPrimio, Zare Anguay, Josh McWhortor, Logan Dolence, and Joshua Keen; and swings Grace Benedetto, Matthew Rafanelli, Jaye Pegg, and Michael Marziliano.

The Gateway’s spectacular production of The Little Mermaid has all the magic and wonder you would expect from any Disney show.

The show runs through August 7, 2022. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased as a curated or flexible subscription - giving you the best value on ticket prices or purchase a single ticket (starting at $59). Please take advantage of their Youth Ticket Price for Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Ages 5 - 16, Kids Half Off! For more information, contact the Box Office at (631) 286-1133, or visit the website at TheGateway.org. 

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

Theatre Review: 'Something Rotten'

Something Rotten is a Must-See Musical Comedy at BayWay Arts Center

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photos Lisa Schindler

Studio Theatre’s Bayway Arts Center kicks off its third season with the Long Island Regional Premiere of the Broadway smash-hit Something Rotten.  If you liked Spamalot, Urinetown, and The Producers, you will love this bawdy musical comedy.

Something Rotten at Studio Theatre’s Byway Arts CenterSomething Rotten, created by Grammy-award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick and accomplished screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, received a whopping 10 Tony-award nominations in 2015. This uproarious musical lampoons Broadway musicals and classic theatre. There are allusions to at least 20 other Broadway scores, with many references to the Shakespearean canon thrown in the mix to keep audiences on their toes!

Set in England during the 1590s, Something Rotten features a large cast of over-the-top wacky characters starting with the fraternal playwriting team, Nick and Nigel Bottom. They are about to lose their patronage unless they come up with a smash hit. The main obstacle blocking their success is the Renaissance superstar, Shakespeare, who is stealing everyone else’s thunder. Desperate for answers, Nick consults a soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus, hoping to discover the next big thing in theatre. The clairvoyant predicts that “musicals” will be all the rage in the future, and the brothers set out to write one.

Something Rotten at Studio Theatre’s Bayway Arts CenterSteven Cottonaro is most convincing as Nick, a frustrated and penniless playwright. His animosity toward the Bard is glaringly apparent from the show’s start when he belts out the song, “God, I Hate Shakespeare.” Bea, his long-suffering wife, portrayed to perfection by the very talented TracyLynn Conner, is a woman ahead of her time. She wants to work but has to pretend to be a man to do so. Ms. Conner gave a powerful rendition of “Right Hand Man,” a heartfelt plea to her husband to allow her to help him in his time of need. Ms. Conner also served as the vocal director of this production. Under her astute direction, the talented singers and the entire ensemble hit all the right notes and delivered their songs with passion and boundless energy. Ms. Conner is one of my favorite performers, and I was blessed to have her star in my romantic comedy, Angel’s Mice and Men, in 2019 at the Hudson Guild Theater in New York City.

F.M. Grossman revealed his comedic genius portraying the part of Thomas Nostradamus, the renowned seer’s nephew. One of the funniest numbers in the show was “A Musical,” and Mr. Grossman’s noteworthy performance had the audience in stitches.

C.J. Russo gave a stellar performance as Nigel, a passionate man who loves poetry. He falls in love with Portia, masterfully played by Jenna Halvorsen. There was plenty of onstage chemistry between Nigel and Portia, and they aced their duet “I Love the Way.” Ms. Halvorsen is a rising star. She has an angelic voice, exceptional acting skills, and a charismatic stage presence. Dennis Creighton was sheer perfection as Brother Jeremiah, Portia’s judgmental, Bible-toting, scripture-quoting father, who believes that all theater, music, and poetry is the work of the devil. In the fantasy song and dance number “We See the Light,” Mr. Creighton received some of the biggest laughs of the evening.

Something Rotten at Studio Theatre’s Bayway Arts CenterNick and Nigel’s nemesis, Shakespeare, wearing skintight leather pants, struts about the stage like a rock star. Kevin Russo rocked the part of Shakespeare, and he stole every scene he appeared in with his powerhouse vocals and hip gyrations. 

Londel Collier opened the show on a high note with his pitch-perfect rendition of “Welcome to the Renaissance.” Robert Budnick received belly laughs as the comic character Shylock, a Jewish money lender. Shylock lets the audience know that this is the only job he is allowed to do as a Jew, but his real passion is theater. Christopher Crosby demonstrated his expert comic timing in his dual roles, that of Lord Clapham, the patron of the theatre, and the Minister of Justice.

Nicole Ashlee Bianco’s ebullient choreography alone is worth the price of the ticket. The audience particularly loved the tap dance numbers. The authentic Elizabethan costumes and wigs by Joe Kassner added a touch of realism to this slapstick musical. Some of the costumes in the fantasy numbers were riotous, like the sunny-side-up egg and omelette outfits the ensemble donned during the high-energy song and dance number “Make An Omelette.”

Kudos to the top-notch ensemble, including Daniel Bishop, Londel Collier, Julia Durfee, Olivia Giorgio, Katelyn Harold, Thomas Higgins, Ashley Huber, Will Logan, Arianna McMorris, Kate Russo, Abby Semelsberger, Kaela Steinbrenner, Dominic Trivigno, Kiernan Urso, Michelle Vicale, and James Lombardi. In 2017, James was in my play Beethoven’s Promethean Concerto in C Minor Wo0 at the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst. He was phenomenal in that production and this one as well!

Something Rotten is a massive production to stage, but BayWay has succeeded spectacularly. Brilliantly staged and directed by Rick Grossman, this production of Something Rotten is bursting with non-stop energy, breathtaking song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes, stellar acting, and an incredible live orchestra. You don’t want to miss this must-show which runs until July 24.

For ticket information, call the box office at 631-226-8400 or go to their website at: https://www.studiotheatrelongisland.com/purchase-tickets.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a B.F.A. in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

Theatre Review 'Every Brilliant Thing'

Theatre Review by Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photo Credit: Steve Ayle

A Million Reasons to See Theatre Three’s Every Brilliant Thing

Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe, shows the audience and the world a million reasons why life is always worth living. Take, for instance, these first five reasons written by the protagonist of this play, when he was a seven-year-old boy, to his hospitalized, depressed, and suicidal mother:

1. Ice cream 2.Water fights 3.Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV 4. The color yellow 5. Things with stripes.

As this son gets older, his life-affirming list takes on a life of its own and, over time, becomes a whopping million reasons as to why we should always choose life. I would add to this million “Brilliant Things List” two more things: Jeffrey Sanzel’s award-worthy performance in Every Brilliant Thing at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre on Theatre Three’s Second Stage; and Linda May’s precision perfect direction, which brought out all the humor, pathos, and positive messages this show is imbued with.

With audience members recruited to take on supporting roles, Every Brilliant Thing is a heartrending, laugh-out-loud funny show about some serious topics: depression, mental health, and suicide prevention. This dark comedy explores a son’s heartfelt attempts to help his mother combat her unrelenting depression by showing her all the beautiful things life has to offer. As the play progresses, we watch him struggle with his own anxiety and depression issues that plague him.

As a side note, the main character remains nameless throughout the play. Like the character Everyman in the 15th-century morality play, The Summoning of Everyman, the protagonist in this drama represents all humankind and the trials and tribulations individuals must endure during their soulful journey through life.

During the production, the audience is comfortably seated on little round tables strategically placed in front of the stage. Before the show began, the actor, Mr. Sanzel, handed out numbered pieces of paper to audience members that included a brilliant reason why life is worth living. I was given two pieces of paper with the words “hugging” and “alcohol” on them. Both times when my numbers were called, I was so deeply engrossed with Mr. Sanzel’s performance that my husband had to nudge me to remind me to perform my small part!

Mr. Sanzel, as the loving, troubled son, gave a riveting, honest, deeply moving performance that took the audience on a wild roller coaster ride of emotions ranging from sorrow to joy, from unbearable pain to healing, from tears to laughter. This is a challenging play for any actor to perform because of the serious nature of the subject matter. Also, it is essentially a one-person play, with an enormous amount of dialogue to memorize. Additionally, there are many improvisational moments between the actor and audience members; thus, no two performances will ever be the same, and an actor has to be quick-witted and flexible to adapt to these unpredictable onstage moments. Mr. Sanzel revealed himself to be a master storyteller and demonstrated his stellar acting and comedic skills throughout the show.

This minimalistic, one-act, dark comedy is theater at its best, proving that for a show to be a success, it doesn’t need a lot of glitz and glamour to entertain, educate, and enthrall an audience.

The monumental takeaway from this show is the truism that we always have to look toward tomorrow, that although tomorrow may not always be brilliant, it will be better! This play inspires us to talk about topics that make us feel uncomfortable, whether we share memories of those we have lost to suicide, our own experiences with bouts of depression, or struggles with our personal “to be or not to be” thoughts. I learned another valuable piece of information while talking to Mr. Sanzel after his electrifying performance: as of July 16, 2022, all across the United States, 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. This is another brilliant thing to celebrate!

This play runs approximately one hour, has no intermission, and will be performed every Sunday at 3 pm through August 28, 2022, with fifty percent of the gross proceeds of this production benefiting the Response Crisis Center. For more information, please visit www.theatrethree.com or Call the Box office: 631-928-9100.

CONTENT WARNING: Although the play balances the struggles of life while celebrating all that is “truly brilliant” in living each day, Every Brilliant Thing contains descriptions of depression, self-harm, and suicide. It is recommended that only audience members 14 and older attend. If you or somebody you know is struggling, we are here to talk 24/7 at 631-751-7500 or the National Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a B.F.A. in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.