WHAT’S HAPPENING

EVERYTHING’S COMING UP COMMUNITY THEATRE Musicals, Musicals, tried and true Musicals.  That’s the scene with Community Theatre in Queens as we start this weekend with Guys and Dolls at the Rockaway Theatre Company.  It appears that they did this production 14 years ago and now with the same director, John Gilleece, bringing it back with a double cast (Just couldn’t turn down all that talent). 

You can see Guys and Dolls July 10, 11, 12 or the last weekend of July 16, 17, 18 and 19.  RTC is located in the Post Building at Fort Tilden.  For tickets and further information go to www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org 

Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the team of composer Richard Rogers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. Maggie’s Little Theatre will be presenting this famed production for two weekends beginning on July 18^th.  This one is being performed in the Parish Hall of St. Margaret’s Church in Middle Village, located at 66-05 79th Place (between Metropolitan Ave. and Juniper Valley Rd.).  Performance dates are: Saturday, July 18^th, 8p.m, Sunday, July19^th, 2:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 24^th and 25^th, 8p.m. and Sunday, July 26^th at 2:30 p.m.  For tickets and further information call 917-579-5389.

IN STEREO

Movie coming to your local theatre.  IN STEREO centers on David (Micah Hauptman) and Brenda (Beau Garrett), who are perfect for each other and everyone knows it…except David and Brenda.  After they break up, their lives spiral out of control. David self-destructs as an artist while dating an immature woman who sleeps with his best friend. Brenda endues a failing acting career, an eviction notice, and a boyfriend who just doesn’t do it for her.  Brenda’s agent is portrayed by Mario Cantone.

And then chance brings Brenda and David back together on the streets of New York at the worst possible time. 

I saw the screener.  The best part about being able to view a movie either online or a disc is that you can go back to scenes or even the whole movie.  You can’t do that in a movie theatre.  I really had to concentrate on the plot and characters but still had to go back.  I don’t think this one would be up for an award as I did not feel that anything or anyone really stood out enough to deserve one.  Maybe others might appreciate this more than I.  I understand that it was written by someone who had gone through this experience.   The movie is done well and does hold my attention but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it. 

CHOMPING IN WOODHAVEN

I don’t mind cooking.  There are just times that I want to order lunch from the area.  I never order Chinese food as it’s not authentic.  With Hispanic restaurants gone amok, I have found a few that I particularly like on the “cheap but good” factor.  One is Caridad (Dominican) on the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 91^st St.  They make by far the best Cuban Sandwich going.  Large enough to have half for two meals while adding my own salad.  It’s a panini with roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese and pickles and only one of their $7 specials. 

On the other side of Woodhaven Blvd we have a Colombian restaurant called Mi Ranchito on Jamaica Avenue and 96^th St.  They also have daily $7 specials that include soup and entrée.  On Sunday I send out for their oxtail.  Oxtail soup and oxtail entrée…more oxtail, rice and salad. 

Hmmm….it’s lunchtime.  The question is…if you order from Subway, can you get a side order of porn? 

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 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