WHEN ONE COMMMUNITY THEATRE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS

FSFCTG has moved on ending its 41 year stint at the Free Synagogue of Flushing.  Maryellen Pierce, the director who brought a long run of quality theatrical musicals, was not ready to end her talented passion.  Maryellen continues to teach and direct productions at Mary Louis Academy, but it’s a different experience from simply teens.

With many of the community theatre groups already performing at houses of worship in Queens she decided to approach Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica Estates. She sent a proposal letter to Reverend William Murphy outlining her achievements as well the goals of the new group. The Reverend’s arm needed no “twisting”.  The name STAR Players NY was created…or born, depending on how you look at it.  As Maryellen sees it, “A group of Stars is a constellation or one hell of a show!

“We are not the same group that just relocated,” said Maryellen. “STAR Players NY bring our experience from many different theatre groups. Erik Neilssen who just won a Josie Award for directing Maggie's Little Theater's Nunsense will be on the new Board. Adrienne Star was a professional Clown, Dena Civello directs where she teaches in Hicksville, and Amanda Montoni is a dance teacher at JJ's Dance Studio in Floral Park. 

Part of their goal is to make theatre accessible to all people and Pierce feels that the location, 2 blocks from the F train and about 5 different NYC and Nassau bus lines, will help to build a diverse and large audience.

Auditions for their first production, Broadway Around the World, is on Monday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 1 starting at 7:30 pm. Auditions and performances will take place at the Immaculate Conception School, 179-14 Dalny Rd, between Edgerton Blvd. and Midland Pkwy.

“Broadway Around the World takes the audience on a world tour. Through the magic of musical theatre, songs will take us from the beaches in the South Pacific to the streets of NYC.  Musicals will reflect both classic and contemporary theatre including: One the Town, In the Heights, Aida, Newsies, Aladdin, West Side Story and more.” as Maryellen tells us. Performances are scheduled for October 23, 24 and 25^th. at the newly renovated auditorium of the Immaculate Conception School.

Maryellen does see the move as a great opportunity. “We have a supportive Pastor and Principal, a nice stage in an auditorium where we don’t have to put up seats as in a Social Hall, a welcoming diverse community and a large parking lot too.”  When one door closes, another opens. 

In scheduling future productions, they are looking to create a variety of high quality theatre.  “We must consider not only what the group wants, but the needs and wishes of the church as well as the community.  We also want our show dates and times to reflect what our audience would have available to them.  We hope to use varied dates as an opportunity to reach out to new audience.”

For further information call 516-521-5500. 

FSFCTG PRESENTS A MOST THOROUGHLY GREAT SHOW

When a community theater production needs to cast two characters who speak Chinese, there is always the fear that performers will overact to the point of offensiveness.

In “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” now at the Free Synagogue of Flushing Community Theatre Group through Sunday, writers insisted that the characters of brothers Ching Ho and Bun Foo be totally authentic and not portrayed in any stereotypical fashion.

Neither Clarence Ilanan nor Edwin A. Palacio, who play the characters, has ever spoken the language or are of Chinese descent, but each keeps their parts authentic with English subtitles flashed atop a high curtain.

“The company supplied us with CDs, enunciations and pronunciations,” said Ilanan. “I then had to observe the culture for the movements.”

They portrayed cohorts to Mrs. Meers (Angel Vail), a Chinese-appearing character who owns a rooming house for young actresses during the 1920s. Appearances being deceptive, she was a leader of a white slavery ring, shipping orphans, who tend to be alone, off to Hong Kong.

Vail appeared to be having a fabulous time portraying a villain — which she later revealed was the case. Going in and out of characters certainly made for quite amount of laughter, not to mention her attempts to speak with Ching Ho and Bun Foo.

Millie Dillmount (Mary Kate Carter) pops into town on her own looking to become independent and modern.

Forgetting the silly plot, this was one of the best productions I have seen at FSFCTG.

Maryellen Pierce has once again delivered in both her direction and co-choreography.

Both music and lyrics were added to the original movie musical, including a number called “The Speed Test” in which Mr. Graydon (Erik Neilson) tests Millie’s dictating speed as part of a job interview. It is a sort of rendition of “The Pirates of Penzance’s” “Modern Major General.” Millie’s reading it back simply adds to the faultless number.

Neilson is not new to FSFCTG. His role shows off both his singing and comic talents. Carter, on the other hand is one of a number of players who are new to the group.“I moved to Astoria and hearing about the production, decided to try out,” said Carter. “I felt as if I was introduced to a new family of support.” Which included a few old members of her family, her husband Andrew Murano portrays Jimmy Smith, Millie’s love interest. Whether acting or not, the two display perfect chemistry.

Cheers also to soprano Lisa Bondi (Miss Dorothy), also making her FSFCTG debut. Her duet with both Carter in “How The Other Half Loves” and “I’m Falling In Love With Someone” with Neilson, showed a smoothness as well as her harmonizing ability.

The major standout to the production was that each cast member was right on point with timing that had Sunday’s audience cheering throughout the entire performance.

Kudos goes to Musical Director Paul L. Johnson and the entire cast and crew for a production that should not be missed.

The final performances are Saturday, Nov. 15, 8 p.m., and Sunday Nov. 16, 3 p.m. Reserved seats may be purchased by calling (718) 428-8681.

As published in the Times Ledger.

 

FSFCTG GOES LEGALLY BLONDE

Artistic Director Maryellen Pierce does it again with a sparkling production of Legally Blonde the Musical.  Can the timing be better?   Both Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde II have been hitting the tv screen on more than one channel, like a marathon.   Just in case, I’ll cite the plot as I cite the actors who portray…but maybe not all 30 or so. 

Legally Blonde the Musical is based upon the movie with a few changes to adapt the “musical”.  Let’s begin with Elle Woods (Brittany Juilfs), the blonde and sorority sister of Delta Nu, who is in love with Warner Huntington III (Christian Barnes) and expecting an engagement ring.  Wrong. He’s off to Harvard Law School and wants a “serious” gf for his political future.  What is a girl to do but make her way into Harvard as well.

It seems that Warner has now found another gf, Vivienne Kensington (Dena Cique) and Elle’s upset brings her to beauty salon where Paulette Bounofuonte (Amanda Doris) works as Elle spills her story and vice versa.  Paulette split up with her longtime boyfriend Dewey (Erik Neilssen), who has their dog Rufus…yes, it’s a real dog…one of two who steal the show.  Btw, it is Erik’s dog.

Callahan (Gene Ferrari) is her professor and lawyer Emmett Forrest (Paul Regan) works for him.   Up comes a case as Callahan assigns some of his students to assist.   Who is chosen?  Enid Hoopes (Angel Vail), a lesbian along with Warner, Vivienne and Elle.  Perfect team for the plot.

They are defending Brooke Wyndham (Britain Gebhardt) who is accused of killing her husband.  The so called witnesses are the daughter and pool boy.  

Let’s get back to Paulette.  Kyle (also played by Erik) is the UPS guy who sexily struts and says, “I have a package for you.”  Another show stealer!   The whole scenario of Paulette falling for Kyle and vice versa  is quite humorous. 

Skip to the trial. It is the pool boy, Nikos (Nelson J. Rocha) and Kiki (Amanda Montoni, the deceased’s daughter, testifying that they saw Brooke standing over the dead body.  Nikos says that he and Brooke had been having an affair.   Elle’s gaydar senses the truth as the cast breaks into “There! Right There! Is he gay or European?  Emmet’s questioning exposes him and his lover, Carlos (Clarence P. Ilanan).  

Ultimately, it’s Kiki who killed her father, Brooke winds up with Emmet and Paulette marries Kyle.

Aside from some kinks of set changing, the show went quite well.  Between the choreographer David Arzberger and the Dance Captain Amanda Montoni dance numbers were well done and in sinc.   Musical Director Paul Johnson did a fine job not only with the band but getting each actor, no matter how large or small the part, to sing on key. 

Show “stealers”:  Amanda Doris for her song belting and comedic facial expressions; Erik Neilssen for both his sexy walking and his dog.  “Elle’s” dog.  

For less than 20 bucks you can’t beat an evening of comedy, song and talented “unknowns”.   Final performances take place on November 16, 8 p.m.; November 17th , 3 p.m.  FSFCTG is located at 41-60 Kissena Blvd, in downtown Flushing. For tix call: 718-428-8681