Theater Review - "Nunsense"

THEATER REVIEW

“Nunsense”

Produced by: The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

The cast of “Nunsense” – Left to right, Kristina Teschner, Inga Ballard, Gwendolyn F. Jones, Marie Danvers and Brittany Ross – photo by Alan PearlmanPerhaps this reviewer can be forgiven for noting that most musicals seem built to run partially out of steam in the show’s second stanza. It’s almost as if directors are determined to get their best shots in early, lest audiences otherwise tire of the proceedings and opt to make a quick getaway at intermission.

That’s never going to happen with this production of “Nunsense” however. If anything, in Act II the frolicking, mildly profane quintet of this irreverent romp outshines even their considerable command of the play’s fast-paced opening gambit.

Which is saying something, because the applause at the end of Act I in Northport’s snazzy John W. Engeman Theater last Saturday was as sustained and vigorous as that usually reserved for final curtain accolades.

The original off-Broadway production of “Nunsense,” which many readers will recall wound up on television, opened in December 1985, and ran for an impressive 3,672 performances, mostly at the intimate 200-seat Douglas Fairbanks Theater. The ten-year run made it the second most popular off-Broadway show in history (surpassed only by the “Fantasticks” – 42 years!).

There’s no sense trying to allot kudos among the five-woman company that’ll be wowing audiences at Engeman through September 8^th, because they’re all convincing - all great! The most telling way to recognize the devout divas is probably to gather all those gold stars (that the Good Sisters used to hand out in third grade) and give half of them to director/choreographer Antoinette DiPietropolo, and the other half to casting director, Stephen DeAngelis. They deserve congratulations galore for selecting a fitting cast to interpret Dan Goggin’s rapid-fire, riotously funny book, music, and lyrics.

Goggin would doubtless be the first to acknowledge that the appropriately corny story behind this liturgical farce is a groaner of the first order, as it’s intended to be: The Little Sisters of Hoboken have lost 52 of their nuns when the Order’s cook (Sister Julia Child of God, who else?) has accidentally poisoned them with tainted vichyssoise. So, what better way to raise burial money than to move into the Engeman Theater in Northport, Long Island (where the stage is already decorated for “South Pacific”) and put on a—are you ready for this—variety show!

Ah, but what a variety show it turns out to be! Brittany Ross (Sister Mary Amnesia, who’s been conked by a Crucifix) belts out “I Could’ve Gone to Nashville”; Marie Danvers (as street-smart Brooklynite Sister Robert Anne) nails every note in the touching “I Just Want to Be a Star”; and the omnipresent Inga Ballard turns her Sister Mary Hubert into a modern-day Sophie Tucker belting out “Holier Than Thou.”

And those show-stoppers are all in the rollicking second act!

In Act I we’ve already been treated to statuesque Inga Ballard hoofing it with diminutive Kristina Teschner (who plays wannabe ballerina Sr. Mary Leo). Together they sing and dance “The Biggest Ain’t the Best” in vaudevillian Mutt & Jeff style, after which Gwendolyn F. Jones (Mother Mary Regina) sets the tone once and for all with her dogmatic directive to “Turn Up the Spotlight.”

It goes without saying that of all the folks associated with this production of “Nunsense,” the two least challenged are Lauren Renee Paragallo (costume designer)—and hair & make-up designer Mark Adam Rampmeyer. However, even in the obviously predictable costume and make-up departments, director DiPietropolo has arranged for a few surprises, though we are never disabused of the sure conviction (assumed by many of us since early childhood) that “nuns, of course, have no ears.”

Award-winning Smithtown writer Jeb Ladouceur is the author of seven novels. His theater reviews appear in several major L. I. newspapers. In Ladouceur’s next thriller, “The Dealer” due this fall, Israeli extortionists threaten to destroy Hoover Dam demolishing the Las Vegas Strip - if casino operators don’t pay millions.

Kings Park MV Crash Sends Motorcyclist To Hospital

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist in Kings Park this afternoon.

Patricia Esculish was driving a 2011 Honda eastbound on Hudson Road and attempted to make a left turn onto Indian Head Road when she was struck by a 2003 Yamaha that was traveling southbound on Indian Head Road.  The driver of the Yamaha, Christopher Foster, 30, of Kings Park, was transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Esculish, 82, of Garden City, and her sister, Joan Chicosky, 82, of King Parks, were both transported by Kings Park Fire Department Ambulance to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown where they were treated for minor non-life threatening injuries.

Foster was cited for Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Uninspected Motor Vehicle and Operating a Motor Vehicle with no insurance.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Young And Looking For Something To Do? Week Of August 4 - 11

By Cristen Feeney

August 4-11

August is well underway, and while you may be dreading the end, there is still plenty of summer-fun for everyone of all ages, this month.

On August 4 from 10am-5pm, there is a garage sale at 43 Aberdeen Rd in Smithtown. There are items being sold such as a television, a wall oven and audio and video equipment. Head down and see if you can find something you’ve been looking for. This is a great and inexpensive way to furnish a dorm room.

On August 5th, Ralph’s Ices on Maple Avenue in Smithtown is holding their Give-Back night in support of Smithtown Children’s Foundation. If you buy an ice from 5-11pm, 20% of your purchase will go to the Children’s Foundation.

Also on August 5th, if you or anyone you know is undergoing or has been treated for cancer, there is a yoga class at 6pm at Stony Brook University Cancer Center to celebrate your health and help you feel good about your body. 

 August 7th, Nesconset Swirls and Twirls will be hosting a fundraiser for the Nesconset Downtown Revitalization Project from 11am-11:30pm. Text “OURTOWN” to 516-279-3799 and get 10% off your purchase. All proceeds during event hours go to the project.

If you’re a teen in grades 6-12 looking to help the Smithtown Library raise funds to benefit the library and get some community service credit, there is an opportunity to volunteer on August 8 at the Summer Concert. To register or find out more, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.smithlib.org/teens/335-smithtown-main-teen-programs” http://www.smithlib.org/teens/335-smithtown-main-teen-programs

August 10 is the Long Island Adventure Race 5K! It’s an Obstacle/Mud Race. The event is for anyone 8+ whether you’ve run a 5K before or you’re just looking for a fun event. For more information, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.liadventurerace.com” www.liadventurerace.com

 On August 11th, there is an Open Mic Night at Mills Pond House Gallery for anyone who is looking to get some music out there. Performers can come at 1pm and bring 3 songs to share with the group. It’s a great way to have a fun afternoon and promote yourself as a musician.

Nissequogue River State Park's Healing Garden With A Healing Backdrop

By Maureen Rossi 

As July made its grand finale,  local residents gathered for wine and cheese at the Administration Building in the Nissequogue  River State Park.  Melodious sonnets echoed from a single violin, the backdrop for enthusiastic chatter, as members and guests of the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club (CKPRC) and the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation (NRSPF) readied for the dedication of the new “Healing Garden” they were donating to the park.

In addition to Rotarians and Foundation members, Deputy Regional Director of New York State Parks, Brian Foley, was on hand for the garden dedication. Foley thanked all involved in the creation of the Healing Garden which is neatly tucked in a quiet northern quadrant of the park with spectacular views of the Kings Park Bluff. “This is a sign of things to come as we move forward with this park”, he exclaimed.

Foley found the site of the healing garden enormously appropriate given the history of the property. “So many families from Kings Park came from other countries to take care of the patients here,” he explained.   “This is a very special week for Kings Park with this dedication and the Centennial Celebration of the Kings Park Fire Department.”

Hues of pink and orange floated across the slowly darkening sky like pastel ribbons and many guests went to the water’s edge to view the sunset; the clear cool night allowed celebrants to see clear across to the Connecticut shoreline. The night was perfect for the ceremony. 

(photo by F. MercuriThe Healing Garden was a partnership between two organizations, the Commack - Kings Park Rotary Club and the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation. In a presentation made before the dedication Pat Biancaniello, a member of both organizations, explained how the idea of the garden developed. The NSPRF has always advocated for the creation and preservation of the park and its beautiful vistas. Their efforts have been invaluable in ensuring that the park is here for everyone to enjoy. Rotary, she said, “does it all”. She explained the work of the Rotary both internationally and locally. “Rotary is about helping people, and communities. Working together to create a healing garden at the site was a perfect fit.”

She reminded everyone of the early days when Mike Rosato, Linda Henninger, Rob Trotta and Sean Lehman requested that she get involved with park. Then a visit to Snug Harbor in Staten Island (the site of a beautiful healing garden) at Assemblyman Engelbright’s suggestion.  The rest is history. 

Biancaniello thanked Rotary and the Foundation for their support of the project. She thanked Brian Foley for his support, former NRSP manager Sean Cruickshank, current manager of the park Bill Purtill* and Sunken Meadow State Park Manager Jeff Mason. All of whom she said were incredibly supportive and helpful. Pat also thanked the many supporters of the project with special recognition for IGA owner, Charles Reichert for his generous support.

The original garden design was donated by Joan McGuillicudy, The Surrogate Gardner. The construction and  labor on the project was donated by St. James resident Eric Hagenbauch of Finesse Landscape Design. Eric and his crew put in over 230 hours on the project.  He shared some of his secrets with the crowd.

“I took all the materials around the back of the building on a golf cart so there wouldn’t be any tire marks near the garden,” he explained. “I was worried about who would water the garden so I installed a sprinkler system as well,” he said.  He also took great care to shape with an artist’s hand what appeared to be an old gnarled tree into what he now calls “The Tree of Life.”

People  came from almost every hamlet in Smithtown showing tremendous support for the garden. Looking through the crowd many Kings Park community leaders were found enjoying the garden. Offering their support were Mike and Rosemary Sullivan, Gail and Jack Hessel, Maryann and Larry Flynn and Richard Macellaro. 

“This is why we all chose to live here, for the natural beauty and the healing garden takes us one step closer to this park becoming a great place,” said Rob Trotta. Everyone seemed to share his sentiment.

 Link to YouTube video of the event by Frank Mercuri http://youtu.be/7YXH-AEU62c

*Edit was made to correct the spelling of NRSP Manager Bill Purtill

Commack Man Dies After Driving Into Hauppauge Building

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash into a Hauppauge building that resulted in the death of the driver.

Peter Fedden was operating a 2008 Honda eastbound on Commerce Drive when he failed to stop at an intersection and crashed into a building, located at 159 Adams Boulevard at approximately 12:10 a.m.  Fedden was trapped in the vehicle and police officers from the Emergency Services Section extricated the victim from the car. Fedden, 29, of Commack, was airlifted by a Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Fedden’s vehicle was impounded for a safety check. Fourth Squad detectives are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452 or Suffolk Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.