Theater Review - "Evita"

Theater Review “Evita”

Produced by: The John W. Engeman Theater – Northport

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

It must have been a formidable challenge for Janine Divita to accept the title role in “Evita” at the Engeman Theater this fall. We make the observation, not because the Broadway-seasoned Ms. Divita is in any way unequal to the huge task (she’s more than capable) but for the simple reason that in Northport, of all places, anyone cast in the lead of this renowned show is bound to be compared to the proud old town’s favorite daughter, Patti LuPone.

With the possible exception of writer Jack Kerouac, it’s widely acknowledged that no other Northport celebrity involved in The Arts has garnered the international acclaim that Ms. LuPone has. And most of that recognition has accrued to the singer/actress because of her Tony Award winning work in the 1978 Broadway production of “Evita.” There, the musical ran for nearly four years—37^th longest in history. Remarkably, it was nominated for 22 of theatre’s most prestigious awards (consider that the hugely successful “Hello Dolly” received only 13 such nominations). To put matters in further perspective, “Evita” gained no fewer than 11 Tony Award nods and won 7 of them; (decades earlier “My Fair Lady” won 6 of 10).

“Evita” is both inspiring and tragic in that it tells of Eva Peron’s unlikely rise from an Argentine slum, where she is the child of a single mother—to her career as an ambitious actress—and ultimately to her securing a place in the nation’s seat of power, the Presidential Palace. There, the once destitute girl who has become Argentina’s First Lady, wins the adoration of her people by displaying concern for the poor and disadvantaged, despite her own failing health. Eva’s inability to control her greed and ambition, however, lends an overriding element of Greek tragedy to the play, which nonetheless manages to work as a thoroughly absorbing, lyrical musical.

The multi-talented Ms. Divita is in good company among a cast of proven professionals, primarily in the person of ‘Che’ who serves effectively as the story’s narrator and pace-setter. Bruce Winant, playing Juan Peron, is the most widely traveled performer in the company, and his experience is evident. Winant is as silky-smooth as we expect the slick Argentine leader to be, and we get the impression that his very presence on stage is largely responsible for elevating the performances of his fellow actors.

Prominent among those accomplished players is Ruben Flores (Migaldi), whom many will recognize from ‘Law and Order’ though that is by no means chief among his many performing credits. They run the gamut from Shakespeare to “Beauty and the Beast” and attest to Flores’s obvious versatility. The inclusion of lovely Ashley Perez Flanagan, who plays Juan Peron’s mistress marvelously, should be an inspiration to all aspiring thespians who see her at the Engeman over the next six weeks. Ashley started her career as a hostess at JWE and has gone on to distinguish herself in more than a half dozen productions to date.

Credit director Igor Goldin for flawlessly guiding his charges in this musical which Patti LuPone claimed was the most unbearable experience of her theatrical life, stating that “The play was obviously written by a man who hates women. I screamed my way through the role of Eva Peron.” That said, Janine Divita and company give no hint of such distress. Indeed, everyone in this lush production contributes to another Engeman blockbuster that takes the often explosive Ms. LuPone’s early stomping grounds by storm.

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Award-winning Smithtown writer Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eight novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. In Ladouceur’s next thriller, “Harvest” due next month, an American doctor is ordered to perform illegal surgeries for a gang of vital organ traffickers in The Balkans.

Kings Park Activist Mike Rosato - "Let The People Decide"

 By Dana Klosner

For the past several months Mike Rosato, an activist from Kings Park, has been lobbying the Town Board to establish an Open Space and Recreation Trust Fund. Local civic and youth organizations supported this effort, he said, because they understood the economic, environmental and quality of life benefits it would provide to the community.

“A lot of youth groups in the town support the effort because they say there is not enough field space to play on,” he said. “The field space that is there is rutted and over used.”

According to Allyson Murray, an environmental planner for the town, the planning department has identified 150 parcels (a number that changes as new sites are identified)  as possible acquisition parcels. The sites vary in size, shape, geographic features, value and possible use. The list “reflects parcels that the Planning Department would likely recommend acquiring if the Town/County/State were interested.” Stated Ms. Murray in an email to Smithtown Matters.

Rosato, emphasizing the benefits of an Open Space and Recreation Trust Fund for Smithtown residents, has been lobbying members of the Town Board. But his efforts have been to no avail. One of the reasons the Town Board has not put the idea to a vote is because of the tax cap, Rosato said.

In the long run the referendum would save taxpayers money, he said.  Open space is considered the ultimate tax cap. Protected open space can help keep property taxes from going up because increased residential development leads to increased demand for government services, schools and other costly infrastructure. 

If the referendum were approved it would allow Smithtown to become an active partner in Suffolk County’s Public Space Program which would allow our taxpayers the local benefits of a program that is supported countywide, he said.

Rosato said he recently wrote a letter to the Town Board requesting that they support a Smithtown Open Space and Recreation Trust Fund referendum. According to Rosato he asked members of the board to let the people, not politics, decide if they wish to invest in open space preservation and recreational facilities. Unfortunately, this concept was not supported.

He cited the Ryan Property in Fort Salonga  as an example. The site is 22 acres and according to Rosato the owners are looking to sell.

“We can’t participate in purchase of property because the town does not have an open space program and is unwilling to put aside money to purchase any open space,” he said.

“Just let the people decide. That’s all I and others are asking,” Rosato said.

 “I don’t think that placing referenda at the behest of one individual makes for good government,” Town Supervisor Pat Vecchio said.

“Central Park in New York City is approximately 840 acres,” Vecchio said. “As a comparison, in the center of Smithtown we have 1,300 acre (Caleb Smith State Park, Blydenburgh Park [county], Greengate Park [town]). These are in addition to our 130 acre golf course. There is also Hoyt Farm (133 acres), Sweetbriar Nature Center (56 acres), 22 town parks and 3 beaches. We acquired the 22 acre Saam property (behind the “Bull”), the 8 acre Harned Sawmill property and most of this acreage was obtained without cost to the taxpayers.”

There is also Sunken Meadow State Park (1,200 acres) and Nissquogue River State Park, (500 acres), he said.

“We are not lacking for open space and we continue to acquire it. Since 2009, the transfer of development rights has gained approximately 10 more acres at no cost. Folks like Mr. Rosato seem to forget we are under a state mandated 2% tax levy cap. The 2015 budget is capped at 1.6%. He disregards that and says ‘Spend, spend’ and that’s not my mantra. People pay enough in taxes and it’s not my desire to levy more than is necessary.”

A petition could be used to circumvent the Town Board, but that does not guarantee its (the fund’s) implementation, Rosato said. Even if the referendum passed, the Town Board would not be obligated to create the trust fund.

It’s better to have the majority of the board supporting the measure to help promote it and facilitate its adoption.

No Deal - The Town Will NOT Be Building A Parking Lot On Pulaski Rd. In Kings Park

No deal!  That’s the word from Councilman Robert Creighton on his proposal to purchase a vacant piece of land on Pulaski Rd. in Kings Park to be used as a 20-22 parking space municipal parking lot.

According to Councilman Creighton, the  property owner and the town could not reach an agreement on the purchase price.  In 2013 Councilman Creighton made a proposal to town board members that Smithtown purchase property and use it to relieve some of the parking problems that exist in Kings Park.  Town Board members in February 2014 authorized the expenditure of $2,000 to be used for an appraisal for the property.

Town Attorney Matt Jakubowski notified the seller of the Town’s interest and the appraisal amount, which according to Jakubowski, was roughly $70,000 less than the seller wanted. 

At the September 9th work session it was mentioned that the seller was unwilling to accept an offer the town had put forward.  Councilman Creighton asked Mr. Jakubowski to continue the negotiations.  Today in a phone conversation with Smithtown Matters, the Councilman stated that the seller increased the selling price for the piece of property and negotiations have ended. 

Town Attorney Jakubowski concurred with Mr. Creighton that negotiations between the town and Mr. Lupoli the property owner have ended.  Although Jakubowski was uncertain if the owner had received other offers, he stated that the property owner was not interested in doing business with the town at the price the town was offering.  

A disappointed Creighton said that there was little that could be done giving the reluctance of the property owner to reduce the price of the property. 

Editorial - McCarthy Vote An Ethics Board Issue

When elected officials appear to be acting inappropriately or unethically it is a citizens responsibility to try to seek a remedy. At the September 9, 2014 town board meeting Councilman/Deputy Supervisor Thomas McCarthy voted on a salary increase for the position of deputy supervisor. The very position he holds. The resolution, item 4.O,  authorized an increase and set the salary for deputy supervisor at $35,000 per annum. The resolution was approved in a three-two vote with Councilmen Creighton and Wehrheim voting NO and Councilwoman Nowick, Supervisor Vecchio and Councilman/Deputy Supervisor McCarthy voting YES.  

As it was a week ago it remains my opinion that Mr. McCarthy, as the sole beneficiary of the resolution, had an ethical and professional responsibility to abstain from voting. Over the past week I have sought professional opinions from a broad spectrum of knowledgeable people. It is my informed opinion that Mr. McCarthy violated Smithtown’s ethics code.  For this reason I have submitted a letter to the Town’s ethics board requesting that they investigate this matter.

Pat

Letter To The Editor - Conflict Of Interest In McCarthy's Vote

RE: Smithtown Deputy Supervisor’s salary increase voted on September 9, 2014

What part of “conflict of interest, or appearance of a conflict of interest” does not apply to Councilman Thomas McCarthy’s vote for his own $30,000 increase?  The answer is of course “NONE”.  It is so blatantly unethical, and untenable, that I can’t imagine how this action can stand.

Had McCarthy recused himself, as he should have, this vote would not have passed.  Should the position of deputy supervisor get a raise? Maybe… But the public has a right to discuss it first.  And is a $30,000 increase defensible? Maybe… but only if the Supervisor is really unable to handle his daily workload.  And should any increase be retroactive to the beginning of the year? Never! Any vote to increase Town Board salaries should be for future Town Board members.  Let each member who votes for his or her increase in salary, stand the test of the vote by the voters at their next election.  Only if re-elected, should an elected official ever benefit personally from their own vote.  

No conflict of Interest… Period. Enough is enough.

Sandy Trehy, Kings Park NY