The finale of Rockaway Theatre Company's "A Chorus Line."
QUEENS COMMUNITY STAGES: MORE THAN A FAMILY
Dozens of community troupes
throughout the borough are preparing
for the new theater season. Their varied
venues include church basements,
synagogue multi-purpose rooms,
school auditoriums and vacant warehouses.
Performers dutifully depart
their day jobs despite the weather.
They rally their strength to rehearse
for hours every night and weekend.
The payoff? Just a limited run with
a handful of performances. Why?
No one can explain it better than
the participants themselves.
Susan Jasper, the executive producer
for the Rockaway Theatre Company
(RTC), acknowledges that it isn’t
“Our present location was an abandoned
movie house used by soldiers in
WWII. Now, some of the youngsters
who began working with us as teenagers
grew and matured in our theater
and are our directors, choreographers,
stage managers and scenic designers,”
she said. “We are a family!”
COURTESY OF ROCKAWAY THEATRE COMPANY
“In 2012 Hurricane Sandy devastated
our theater…the losses seemed insurmountable,”
the word out to all of the members of
our company — plumbers, carpenters,
mold remediation experts and seamstresses
joined actors, singers and musicians
— without this help, the RTC
would have had to close our doors.”
In northern Queens, Douglaston
Community Theatre — with Michael
Wolf at the helm — has provided seven
decades of entertainment. Theatre by
the Bay boasts talented, tight-knit family
connections.
Currently retired, Larry Bloom has
worn every conceivable theatrical hat
since the 1980s. He has launched and
sustained several Queens troupes.
“What I love is the camaraderie
amongst the cast and crew — everyone
working toward the same goal,” Bloom
remembers. “I’ve seen snowstorms,
falling stage sets, missed lines aplenty,
and it’s (still) all part of the fun.”
Many community theatre veterans,
including Jenifer Badamo, have multiple
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Theatre by the Bay’s production of “My Fair Lady.”
The JC Players’ production of “Legally Blonde the
Musical.”
skill sets (playwright, actor and
choreographer). She said her passion
is what drives her.
“My plays are always passionate,
Willy Loman ‘everyman’ characters
based on people who have touched my
life in some way,” Badamo said. “My
choreography comes from a different
place where the music and the people
I’m working with inspire me. I take
their personalities, their body shapes,
their faces and I create dances that suit
my cast.”
Married couples and their children
are unshakeable pillars of every production.
Michael Chimenti and wife
Cathy are energetic examples of community
commitment.
“Years ago, I swore I would never
perform again. Then Larry Bloom
asked me to sing a song in a musical
revue. That was all it took to realize
once an actor always an actor,” Michael
said. “Thanks to Queens (stages),
I will always have a place to live my
dream.” Eli and Barbara Koenig also
share many years of solid local theater
performances.
BRIAN RICE
Publisher
ZACH GEWELB
Editor
BILL PARRY
News Editor
KATRINA MEDOFF
Copy Editor
RALPH D’ONOFRIO
V.P. of Advertising
COURTESY OF TBTBNY
In Middle Village, Maggie’s Little
Theater and the JC Players offer musicals
audiences. Among the many talented
families, Frank and Barbara Auriemma
and daughter in the successful presentations.
Heading further south, St. Gregory’s
Theatre Group has provided inspirational
Flushing. When logistics changed, the
group changed its name to Royal Star
Theatre and found a new home in Jamaica
The Queensborough Performing
Arts Center is anchored by Susan
Agin. A talented performer in her
own right, she hosts a varied schedule
throughout the year.
So many other troupes of every
shape and size continue to celebrate
the diverse, creative and cultural
strengths of Queens. We are as
unique as we are similar. Yes, we are
a family.
ART & PRODUCTION
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provide musical and creative direction.
They often showcase their son
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BY CLIFF KASDEN
always easy.
Jasper added. “We put
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for appreciative neighborhood
musicals for decades. Another
troupe, FSFCTG spent years in
Estates.
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Deborah Cusick
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