Visit Theater Three's Website For 'A Carol For This Christmas" Reviewed By Jeb Ladouceur

Theater Review - A Carol for This Christmas

Produced by - Theatre Three, Port Jefferson

Reviewed by - Jeb Ladouceur

 

It has been famously said that “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Today, the observation is eerily true of legitimate theater arts as practiced throughout most of the world. Consider the effect of Bubonic Plague on arguably the most historically famous of all acting companies (Shakespeare’s renowned ‘King’s Men’) and their equally celebrated home base (London’s legendary Globe Theatre). Now compare the Elizabethan thespians’ plight with that of Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three and its dozens of Players and Staff.

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More than 400 years ago, like Theatre Three, one of the first businesses to close when a wave of the plague appeared in London was the theatre. After the Globe Theatre shut its doors in the Bubonic-ravaged summer of 1603, young playwright William Shakespeare fled the city to live for months in his rural hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Fortunately, the move proved prescient, and The Bard not only survived, but in the course of the ensuing few years he went on to write his greatest tragedies … and see them performed at the reopened Globe.

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It is unimaginable that in the spring of this year Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Victorian drama scholar, Jeffrey Sanzel (Theatre Three’s Executive Artistic Director) would have failed to note the chilling parallel between his own misfortunes and those of Shakespeare in 1603.

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In 2020, however, there is no place to hide … the pandemic is truly worldwide, thus geographically inescapable. Accordingly, Maestro Sanzel, true to the mantra that “The show must go on,” has turned his considerable talents, and those of nine members of his cast and crew, to a virtual performance of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ the beloved play which has been staged at Theatre Three for some 36 years. Theater lovers are the beneficiaries of Jeffrey Sanzel’s insistent resolve.

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Those of us who have seen the evolving versions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ over the years will immediately recognize the six actors who take the stage in this somewhat altered production for an unforgettably altered season. Only Michelle LaBozzetta, (who plays the Seeker of Mercy and seven other roles quite handily), veteran Linda May debuting in ACC, and Andrew Lenahan (expert in his riveting portrayals of dead Marley, and the Ghost of Christmas Present) might be considered relative newcomers to ‘A Christmas Carol.’ 

That Theatre Three is able to defy all odds and bring this most memorable of seasonal classics to its audience in indelibly recognizable form (the change in genres notwithstanding) is attributable to several factors. Primary among them are: The obvious versatility of such expert thespians as quick study   Linda May (in the roles of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit, and four other parts) … Douglas Quattrock (he literally owns the essential Bob Cratchit character, having played it to live audiences 900 times) … Steven Uihlein (who embellishes his portrayal of Christmas Future with exquisite Lighting Design).

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And then there is the redoubtable Jeffrey Sanzel. By adding a touch of understatement to his usual interpretation of Ebenezer Scrooge, he tips off the underlying vulnerability of the recalcitrant old miser. It is the perfect accommodation required by the new film medium. Accordingly, Sanzel’s close-ups acquire an irony that would have been impossible to convey minus the dry underestimation.

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Is it any wonder that many in the theater community doff their caps (or curtsy) when passing Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three. The 160-year-old playhouse is, after all, the venue that houses the man often referred to as the reincarnation of the venerable Bard of Avon himself.

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A Carol for This Christmas is Theatre Three’s gift to the Long Island community, and is available for complimentary viewing at the Theatre Three website: https://theatrethree.com/

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Jeb Ladouceur is the author of a dozen published novels. His theater reviews appear in a number of Long Island weekly newspapers and online publications. Ladouceur’s website is Jebsbooks.com.

 

Suffolk Closeup - Expect Fewer Minor Parties Next Time You Vote

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

By Karl Grossman

There will likely be a new ballot line landscape in Suffolk County and the rest of New York State as a result of last month’s election: the elimination of several minor parties that have for many years all but automatically gained ballot presence.

There is litigation pending in federal court to overturn this. But legal experts we’ve spoken to say the litigation—brought by the Libertarian and Green Parties—is unlikely to succeed. And if it doesn’t, they and the Independence Party will lose automatic ballot presence. They can get back on the ballot through a petition process, but this is difficult, especially on a statewide basis.

The cause for the change: new ballot access rules passed by the New York State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. He has been reported to have been a key force behind the new rules.

For decades, minor parties in New York State needed 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial race held every four years to maintain automatic ballot access. But the new rules require minor parties to each secure either 130,000 votes or two percent of the votes cast every two years in the races for governor or president.

In last month’s election only the Conservative Party and Working Families Party got enough votes to meet this threshold.

What has happened has special impact for Suffolk County. The Independence Party has many members, especially here, although there are those in politics who believe it is because some people think enrolling in it signifies their being independent, not a member of a party. There are 46,437 enrolled members of the Independence Party in Suffolk, well-outnumbering enrollees here in the Conservative Party (22,279) and Working Families Party (4,176).  And there is a strong hold by Suffolk figures on the leadership of the Independence Party, founded in 1991. The state Independence Party chairperson since 2000 has been Frank MacKay of Rocky Point, who is also Suffolk Independence Party leader. He was preceded as state Independence Party chairperson by Jack Essenberg of Miller Place, who was also its Suffolk leader.  

Also, the only public official on the state level who is an Independence Party member is from Suffolk: Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. of Sag Harbor. He’s also Independence Party chairperson of Southampton Town. However, he caucuses and runs with Democratic Party cross-endorsement. So, if there is no Independence line, the next time Mr. Thiele is up for election, in 2022, he can run on the Democratic ticket. 

The litigation which challenges the new rules on the basis of constitutionality was brought in July in U.S. District Court-Southern District in Manhattan.

Governor Cuomo has been reported to have pushed for the new rules because of his friction through the years with the Working Families Party, which is to the left of his centrist stance within the Democratic Party. He denies this. In any event, if his aim was bumping the Working Families Party off the New York ballot, it didn’t work. It survived the new rules.

Also, as a result of last month’s election, there’ll likely be litigation, affecting Suffolk only, involving the wording and legality of what was titled Proposition 2 on the ballot here. 

It was a vote on allowing $44 million to be transferred from the county’s Sewer Stabilization Reserve Fund to a Taxpayer Trust Fund that can be tapped to finance general county operations. And, it would allow the county to not have to pay back $145 million it took earlier from the sewer fund for county operations. That transfer was contested in a successful earlier lawsuit brought by the Long Island Pine Barrens Society in state Supreme Court.

The sewer fund is not only structured to stabilize sewer taxes but can be utilized to fund septic upgrades. It’s part of the county’s Drinking Water Protection Program created by voters in a 1987 referendum. It also provides money for land preservation and water quality. It is funded by a quarter cent of every dollar collected through the Suffolk sales tax. 

“The county is trying to raid your Drinking Water Protection Fund again,” charged the Pine Barrens Society in the weeks leading up to the election. It urged a “no” vote. “They’ve carefully worded the proposition in a way that disguises what they are actually doing,” it declared.    

Proposition 2, which received a narrow majority vote—348,357 to 301,407—was advanced and promoted by Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone amidst county government being in big financial trouble. Suffolk County government, according to a report by its COVID-19 Fiscal Impact Task Force, is facing a $1.5 billion economic shortfall between this year and 2022. This could be moderated if it receives significant federal aid. The wording of Proposition 2 was indeed problematic asking voters to approve “A Charter Law to Transfer Excess Funds in the Sewer Assessment Stabilization Fund…” Seeing that word “Excess,” did voters know exactly what they were voting on?

Karl Grossman is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books. 

Suffolk County Legislator-Elect Caracappa Arrested In Domestic Incident

Suffolk County Legislator-Elect Nicholas Caracappa, 53, of Selden, was arrested on December 8 at his home for Criminal Contempt 1st Degree and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing related to a domestic incident. He was scheduled to be arraigned on December 9 at First District Court in Central Islip.

Caracappa won a special election in November filling the positionof Legislator Thomsd Muratore 4th LD who died in October. His attorney Tom Campagna says the charges and allegations are a lie by Caracappa’s wife as they are in the middle of a bitter divorce.

Acording to News 12  Mr. Caracappa’s attorney Tom Campagna stated, “The charges and allegations are a lie by Caracappa’s wife as they are in the middle of a bitter divorce.”

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Rob Calarco has released the following statement:

“The arrest of and the allegations against Legislator-elect Nicholas Caracappa are very serious. I do not know the specifics of the case and cannot comment further. He was not to be sworn in until January, but these events do not undo the election. He has a right to his day in court. At this time my prayers are with his family.”

Suffolk County Comptroller Kennedy's Audit Recovers $2.6 Million

Comptroller’s Audit Nets Suffolk County $2.6 Million in Pharmacy Benefit Recoveries

Suffolk County Comptroller, John M. Kennedy, Jr., has recovered nearly $2.6 million in taxpayer funds after his office settled an audit of the County’s pharmacy benefit manager, WelldyneRX, Inc. The County entered into an administrative service agreement with Welldyne in May 2014 to administer the pharmacy benefit of the County’s self-insured medical plan. The plan covers over 45,000 active employees, spouses, dependent children, dependent survivors and retirees making it one of the largest medical plans in Suffolk County. The pharmacy benefit part of the plan has an average yearly spend of approximately $60 million.

The Comptroller’s Office, in conjunction with the Plan’s Labor Management Committee, engaged the Segal Group to perform the financial audit of Welldyne for the period of May 2014 through December 2016. The audit was issued in April and settled with the vendor in September resulting in payment to the County of $2.6 million.

The audit revealed that Welldyne incorrectly categorized drugs dispensed under the plan causing the under-performance of pricing guarantees defined in the administrative service agreement.

As a result of the high volume of Welldyne’s non-compliance with the administrative service agreement, Comptroller Kennedy has commenced a second audit of the subsequent period covering January 2017 through December 2019 which should be completed soon.

Comptroller Kennedy commented that “in these troublesome times it is more important than ever before to ensure that taxpayer funds are not squandered or misspent and that our employees receive the benefits they deserve.”

The recovered money goes back into the fund it was disbursed from, Fund 039 – which was set up for medical plan expenditures. 

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP - Ku Klux Klan On Long Island

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

By Karl Grossman

“Eye-opening” declared one person on the “Chat” box on Zoom about Christopher Verga’s presentation entitled “The Battle for Long Island Souls and Minds: Resistance Against the Long Island Klan.” Wrote another: “I knew about the presence of the KKK but not to this extent.” There were many similar exclamations. 

“I never saw a ‘Chat’ blow up with so many positive comments,” said Jill Santiago, executive director of the Suffolk-based Center for Social Justice and Human Understanding, which sponsored the presentation.

More than 150 people linked into the nearly two-hour talk which was infused with the showing of documents and archival photos. Many were students from classes at Suffolk County Community College.

The presentation was about racism and bigotry long being part of the culture of Suffolk County.

This “had its roots with colonial Long Island,” said Mr. Verga, who teaches Long Island history at Suffolk Community. In the 17^th to the late 18^th Century, Long Island’s “population was comprised of 18 percent slave-holding families,” he said. Long Island, he noted, had the largest slave population in the north of the United States.

After the Civil War, “one in seven Long Islanders were members of the Ku Klux Klan,” Mr. Verga continued. Besides the KKK’s virulent hatred of African-Americans and Jews, it was anti-Catholic believing Catholics “prayed to someone in Rome.”

The KKK on Long Island was heavily financed by real estate companies which were particularly upset by Irish Catholic immigrants moving onto the island and, they believed, lowering real estate values by their presence. Mr. Verga showed KKK literature with the names of real estate company donors prominently listed. 

In government in Suffolk, the KKK was a huge factor including on the federal level. “James Zegel, the U.S. Treasury Department agent in charge of its Prohibition Enforcement Office in Bay Shore,” was the “Grand Exalted Cyclops” of the Islip KKK “klaven” or chapter. Candidates for local public office would declare: “I’m a member of the Klan so vote for me.”  

“Good news—there is going to be resistance, pushback,” Professor Verga went on.

Catholic churches in Suffolk were active in the resistance. Mr. Verga told of an anti-KKK rally in 1923 that drew 40,000 people outside St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Bay Shore protesting KKK members running for public office including, that year, for Islip Town supervisor.

There were individuals who fought the bias such as Thomas Romano who built the Ronek Park housing development in North Amityville that drew African-Americans. Advertisements for it said: “Dedicated to the Proposition That All Men Are Created Equal.” 

In the 1930s, the Nazi organization in the U.S., the German American Bund, took over a large tract of land in Yaphank that featured Camp Siegfried and its parade and rallying grounds for Nazis. There was an enclave of bungalows—its main street named Adolph Hitler Strasse. 

Mr. Verga, a Bay Shore resident, spoke of national civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. coming to demonstrations on Long Island. He showed photos of Dr. King here and also, in 1999, his son, Martin Luther King III, leading a march in Wyandanch raise awareness of racial and economic inequities in suburbs and also dedicating a health clinic there named for his father. He noted that marching along with Mr. King was Rich Schaffer, then and now Babylon Town supervisor and since 2000 also Suffolk County Democratic chairperson.

As to the “fastest growing” minority group in Suffolk, Latinos, Mr. Verga related hate directed at them including the murder in 2008 of Marcelo Lucero outside the Patchogue LIRR  station. Mr. Lucero, 37, was surrounded by seven teenagers who had vowed to go out and “find some Mexicans.” An immigrant from Ecuador, he was beaten, stabbed in the chest and left to die. Those who did it were convicted of hate crimes.

The Center for Social Justice and Human Understanding is located at Suffolk Community College’s main Ammerman Campus in Selden. Its executive director, Ms. Santiago noted that “we house the largest collection of Holocaust artifacts in the region, as well as a collection of artifacts that document the transatlantic slave trade… Our mission is to is to educate our community on historical events, and to promote issues of social justice and respect for human dignity through educational programming.” Guided tours are available by calling 631-451-4117. 

The highly knowledgeable Professor Verga is on the board of the center. 

Karl Grossman is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books.