Theater Review - "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"

Theater Review

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

Produced by: The John W. Engeman Theater, Northport

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

The Dwarfs: Christina Faicco, Samantha Carroll, James Tully, Paul Velutis, Natalie Seus, Hans Hendrickson, Michael Spencer. Photo by Michael De Cristofaro

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the stage musical, premiered at Radio City Music Hall in 1979. The show was based on the immensely successful 1937 animated feature Disney film of the same name. As entertainment historians will recall, the live production is known for thankfully having saved the world renowned Music Hall from being razed.

That ’79 show starred Broadway veteran Anne Francine as The Evil Queen, with Richard Bowne as Prince Charming, and the unknown ingénue Mary-Jo Salerno playing Snow White. A testament to the success of the live version of this internationally acclaimed show (directed and staged by Frank Wagner) is its selection in 1980 for HBO television … and its ultimate 1987 airing on the Disney Channel. And Snow White has been on a roll ever since. Currently, this excellent version (under Mark Adam Rampmeyer’s skillful direction) runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings, at Northport’s Broadway-caliber John W. Engeman Theater, thru March 9^th.

Most theater critics view stage shows in the evening … usually at Saturday night Press showings. Occasionally, we make our observations during weekend matinees. Never, however, are we called upon to show up at the box office at 10:30 AM on Sunday!

But that’s exactly what this reviewer was assigned to do last weekend. And although I never could have predicted it, the timing proved absolutely fortuitous … and here’s why.

If one hopes to grasp the essence of a theatrical production whose target audience is pre-K to 3^rd Graders, then it seems foolish for the critic to attend such a show at a time of day (or night) when small children feel out of their element. The fact is that all actors … youthful as well as adult performers … invariably react to their audiences, and vice versa. Surely something in that interplay is lost if, through inappropriate timing, a reviewer is deprived of the opportunity to observe the networking phenomenon first hand … to feel it viscerally.

The packed Engeman house for Snow White was, by my estimate, sixty percent 5, 6, and 7-year-olds last Sunday morning (and I’m guessing ninety percent of those kids were nicely dressed-up little girls). Before the show started, I said to myself, uh-oh, this is gonna be a rough assignment. The theater was alive with squeals, giggles, and even the occasional shriek as show time drew near.

But promptly at 10:30, the house lights dimmed and all that shrill exuberance turned to whispered amazement as only the stage was brightly lit—an absolute magnet for any child’s attention. Then Jack Kohl’s music … and onto the stage marched familiar members of the cast singing their upbeat introductory number, and for the next hour and a half not a single line in the play was obscured by audience noise.

This play might be named Snow White (she’s played by Brittany Lacey) and the Seven Dwarfs (they’re pictured here and named in order), and along with Prince Charming (Nicholas Mannino) they all do a bang-up job, but the show truly belongs to Suzanne Mason (first playing the Wicked Queen, then the beautiful but sly Esmeralda, and finally the nasty Old Hag) all of which parts she interprets to perfection. I’d love to have seen Mason when she appeared in Kiss Me Kate!

Naturally, the charm of the Seven Dwarfs is largely that each has his own uniqueness, but it seems that the most challenging Dwarf role is the one handed to James Tully (Slowpoke). For one thing, he’s the smallest … always bringing up the rear … and as such is the constant focus of attention. Every actor longs for that spotlight, but with it come correlated responsibilities. ‘Slowpoke’ Tully (though he might be Snow White’s youngest actor) doesn’t miss a cue, a step, or an expression.

And wait ‘til you see the magic Costume Designer Lauren Paragallo works with Suzanne Mason’s outfits … fabulous!

The younger set adored this show. Me too.

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

The Clock Is Ticking For Prisco Realty/ Reliable Tree Service

The clock is ticking on Prisco Realty LLC/Reliable Tree Service in Smithtown. Many homeowners in the area feel the business, located at 927 West Jericho Turnpike, has been before the Smithtown Town Board too many times and for too long without resolution. How long is too long?  Ten years plus, according to residents living behind Prisco on Amsterdam and Jennifer Roads. 

At its February 11 Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meeting the board, minus  Chairwoman Adrienne Giannadeo who has recused herself, granted property owner Frank Prisco a sixty-day conditional extension to submit a completed site plan to the town. According to Blaise Donadio, a planner for Smithtown, the architect for Prisco is working on the site plan and is aware of the conditions placed on the property. Mr. Donadio acknowledged that non-compliance with the conditions, including the rapidly approaching 15-day requirement to delineate the buffers, could result in the nullification of the Prisco application. 

Google Earth 3/6/12Google Earth 4/1/04Google Earth 2001Prisco had requested a 180-day extension which was reduced to sixty days by the BZA with the following conditions: 1. A completed site plan must be filed with the Smithtown Planning Department within sixty days. 2.  Within 15 days of the BZA’s approval of the conditional extension buffers must be delineated and all outdoor storage must be removed from the delineated buffer area. 3. Prisco must respond to comments on site plan to Town departments within 15 days of receiving request. 4. Buffer fencing and plantings must be in place within 30 days of receiving site plan approval from the Board of Site Plan Review (Town Board).

Over the years Smithtown has responded to site plan violations issuing summonses to Prisco in 2003, 2008 and 2010. The case went to Suffolk County District Court and in 2011 a conditional discharge agreement was reached requiring Prisco to file a site plan within a year. Most recently in November of 2013 the BZA granted Prisco the approval to operate a trucking station on the site allowing for outdoor storage of vehicles.  Other variances were granted at the time, but so were restrictions that included a plan to buffer residents. 

Over the past ten years residents have complained  of noise, odors and the intense use of the property with encroachment on and removal of natural buffers. Aerial photos (provided by local resident) show the changes in the property. Additionally many residents have a new worry - traffic.  Some residents express concern that the trucks delivering cars to the site obstruct driver’s vision and traffic patterns. 

What do the residents want? Although there is no individual spokesperson for the homeowners, a common philosophy has emerged: residents want protection of their quality of life, a fair and reasonable resolution and enforcement that is swift and meaningful.  

The sixty-day extension gives Prisco until mid April to submit a completed site plan. 

Update on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 12:07AM by .

According to sources at Town Hall Prisco/Reliable Tree has complied with item two of the conditional approval received on February 11.

Of Feb. 11, 2014 owner Frank Prisco was directed within 15 days of the BZA’s approval of the conditional extension to delinieate buffers and to remove all outdoor storage from the delineated buffer area. 

Mr. Prisco has 49 days left on his 60 day conditional approval to submit a completed site plan to the Planning Department.

Kings Park men arrested for heroin sales and possession

On Thursday, February 20, 2014, members of the New York State Police arrested CHRISTOPHER BOUTIN, age 29, LOUIS BOUTIN, age 34 and PATRICK BOUTIN, age 28 after the execution of a narcotics search warrant at their residence located in Kings Park. 

CHRISTOPHER BOUTIN was charged with:
3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3^rd Degree
2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th Degree

LOUIS BOUTIN was charged with:
Criminal Possession of Marihuana 4^th Degree

PATRICK BOUTIN was charged with:
Unlawful Possession of Marihuana

Shortly after 6am, members of the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team and the Troop L Narcotics Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at the residence. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of quantities of heroin, xanax and marihuana. The investigation revealed that CHRISTOPHER BOUTIN was using the residence as a meeting spot to sell heroin.

After an inspection by the Smithtown Department of Public Safety, Smithtown Fire Marshal and Building Departments, the residence was deemed unsafe. All residents were forced to vacate until violations were corrected.

CHRISTOPHER BOUTIN was held and will be arraigned in Suffolk County 1^st District Court on February 21, 2014.

LOUIS AND PATRICK BOUTIN were released with appearance tickets to appear on March 25, 2014 in 1^st District Court.

 

Smithtown Dish - Last Weekend To Explore Commack Farmer's Market

Smithtown Dish – small bites of foodie news

By Nancy Vallarella

Last Weekend to Explore Commack Farmer’s Market

Thera Farms LettuceMark your calendar to head down to the Commack Farmer’s Market this Sunday February 23. They are open from 10:00am – 2:00 pm at the Suffolk YJCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack. The Bad News: THIS IS THE LAST DAY. The Good News: YOU CAN STILL FIND PLENTY OF FARM FRESH GOODS! 

Jen’s Hens EggsHere are some highlights: Thera Farm’s, Ronkonkoma - Hydroponic Lettuce, 8 Hands Farm, Cutchogue – Jen’s Hens Eggs & Fink’s Country Farm, Manorville – Assorted Vegetables. Here’s what I put together with farm fresh ingredients from Fink’s:  Mostly Squash Soup 

More Good News: – L.I. Green Market has committed to expand the Nesconset Outdoor Farmer’s Market this coming June. 

Mostly Squash SoupMostly Squash Soup – Nancy Vallarella

Combination of the following peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes:

2 medium carnival squash, 2 empire apples, 2 medium sweet potatoes, 1 medium butternut squash*

3- 4 Tbs. olive oil - divided

3 tsp. kosher salt - divided

1 ½ tsp. fresh ground pepper - divided

2 medium shallots, chopped fine

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 carrots, peeled and cut into small diced pieces

10 cups vegetable or chicken broth - divided

1 cinnamon stick

toasted pumpkin seeds – optional garnish

Carnival SquashPreheat oven to 425 degrees and center racks. Divide peeled and cut vegetables and fruit and place onto two baking sheets. Pour 1 to 1 ½ Tbs. of olive oil along with 1 tsp. of salt and ½ tsp. of pepper on each and toss. Place in oven and roast for approx. 30 min. until veggies are fork tender. Toss while roasting to prevent sticking.

While vegetables are roasting, in a heavy bottom stock pot on medium low heat sauté shallots until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.  Add carrots and continue to sauté until carrots are fork tender. Add 6 cups of broth.  Turn up heat to medium and cook to boil. Turn heat down from boil, add cinnamon stick and continue to simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. 

Remove cinnamon stick. Add roasted vegetables and fruit to stock pot and blend with immersion blender until smooth. At this point add the remaining broth to reach desired consistency and heat through. Add remaining salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds.

* I used round bottom of squash for this recipe and saved long neck for a spiralized butternut squash dish. You can substitute butternut squash for the carnival squash. The total on the roasted ingredients is 3-4 lbs. approx… 8 cups peeled and diced.

Interview With Newly Appointed Councilwoman Lynne C. Nowick

Maureen Ledden Rossi

Councilwoman Lynne C. Nowick at January Town Board meetingCouncilwoman Lynne Nowick showed up at Town Hall at three p.m. Tuesday afternoon to meet with Smithtown Matters. The sun was shinning, snow was melting, there were even some birds chirping. Was this a sign that spring was on the way, a sign that a new season was upon us? Prior to Nowick’s recent absence and temporary unemployment due to an unsigned oath of office, the councilwoman had her office painted a cheery pale yellow. The councilwoman’s mood was as bright as the fresh coat of paint; maybe it was because earlier in the day she became completely official when she signed her oath of office in the town clerk’s office. “I’m back,” she laughed.

However, it was not Town Clerk Puleo who officiated her signing - it was a member of his staff - Regina Burke. The mention of the Puleo name left the seasoned elected official disheartened. “You know Vinny and I know each other for close to three decades, it’s really a shame what happened,” she said. Nowick added that in no shape or form was SHOCK a sufficient enough word to describe how she felt when she realized her position, the position she won back in the November election, was null and void. “He passes my office all the time, he could have told me about the book with the oath waiting for my signature,” she lamented.

Nowick drew some criticism from some in the crowd at last week’s special town board meeting, a meeting called specifically to reappoint her to her council seat and Patrick Vecchio as supervisor. Many wondered aloud why she wasn’t on hand to sign the oath of office. Nowick said she was away on a scheduled vacation and the return home was a nightmare that included two cancelled flights as well as driving a rental car to a second airport. She admitted much like the situation in town hall her travels were a debacle. “I watched the meeting online live and was very happy with the results, I called Bob Creighton, Eddie Wehrheim and Tom McCarthy and thanked them all for doing the right thing,” she shared.

Asked if she had any hard feelings she said although saddened at the events that transpired, she had no harsh feelings towards anyone. “We are a team and we are going to get the job done, we will be collaborating on various projects, we will be able to work together that is never going to be an issue for me” she explained. She said that she has sought the views of all three councilmen regarding different issues facing the town since being sworn in on the steps of Town Hall on January 1st. She said they are all very experienced leaders who know the ins and outs of town government and have a lot to offer her. However, she admits in her short tenure that there are some things lacking. “Personally going forward I would like to see more communication with department heads, more communication between all of us,” she explained.

The former legislator reflected on her days in county government. She said that of course she and her colleagues would disagree on issues, however, after the meeting they would go into the conference room, have coffee and talk about their children. “Why can’t we do that here?” she asked.

Nowick has plenty of experience working with both Democrats and Republicans during her time at the Legislature; however, this the first time the life-long St. James resident is working with all males. Asked about the history of women on the Town Board and their short tenure over the last decade or so, she smiled and was extremely coy. Like a seasoned elected official she said, “I’d like to think after this last week it is a new day in Town Hall, everyone had time reflect on the events and now we have plenty of work to do.”

When asked about the legislation fellow Republicans Senator John Flanagan and Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick will be introducing in Albany to overturn the over one-hundred year old law that terminated her position, she was ambivalent. She said it would be a tough road to get that law passed but that she certainly didn’t want to have to run another election in the fall of 2014. She was grateful that the lawmakers were interceding. Jokingly she proposed her own brand new law. “Lynne’s Law would call for proper notification for newly elected officials as to the protocol of the signing of the oath,” she laughed. Councilwoman Lynne Nowick is officially back at work and Smithtown voters can only hope she’s right - that it’s a new day in Town Hall.