62 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • MARCH 21, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
“Noises Off ” Roars Onward at Maggie’s LT
A VIEW FROM
THE CLIFF
BY CLIFF KASDEN
It’s opening night at Maggie’s Little
Th eatre. Th underous applause and
side splitting laughter follow the cast
throughout the three act comedy. In
“Noises Off ” the troupe delivers an
ambitious production that elevates
British farce and slapstick to another
level. Director Erik Neilssen successfully
gambles on his actor’s timing,
the plot’s multiple miscommunications
and a brilliantly conceived set
that earns its own praise.
Th e storyline is a show within a
show. In one, we see the mysterious
melodrama “Nothing On” presented
to an imaginary audience. In the larger
show we witness the comical chaos
of “Noises Off ”. Confusing? Th at’s
the plan! We fi nd ourselves rooting
for nine hapless characters with occasional
British accents. Th eir dalliances
and jealousies merge into a crazy
quilt of comedy. At times, they literally
reverse all the scenery so that we are
alternately watching backstage antics
(“Noises Off ”) and separate onstage
hijinks (“Nothing On”).
Miriam P. Denu as both Dotty and
Mrs. Clackett has a hilarious relationship
with several plates of sardines.
Paul Mastrella as the director
of “Nothing On” manages to pursue
multiple romances. Naturally,
he is unmasked, provoking jealous
rages. Charming scoundrel Garry/
Roger (Th om Harmon) is initially
scheming and self-absorbed. By Act
III his character has plummeted into
riotously fl ustered exhaustion. Th e
requisite 1980s stunning but clueless
blonde Brooke/ Vicki is played to
perfection by Lisa N. Curran. Sweet
but not so innocent stage manager
“Poppy” is well played by Danielle
Fleming. Freddy/Philip, (Angus
McLean) manages to stumble and
fall again and again with shockingly
Selsdon Mowbray, played with absolute
delight by Mark York, carries a
bottle of scotch onstage to everyone
who fi nds it!
Kudos to the creative staff including
Alison Kurtzman, ever present
Alan Perkins and Dolores Voyer.
Deepest bows for the production
staff including Ed Voyer, Amy
Ellis, Isobel Williams, Joe Annese,
Michael Tierney, Jess Ronzo, Michael
Markowski, the set painters and especially
the carpenters. Kudos to the
performance staff with Amanda Rose
Gillespie, and Dana Levy. Nods to the
house staff as well.
For information on this and future
productions, surf to www.maggieslittletheater.
As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
Census director latest
guest on Power Women
On the fourth episode of her Power Women
series, Schneps Media President and Publisher
Victoria Schneps interviews Julie Menin, New
York City census director and executive assistant
corporation counsel for strategic advocacy.
During their chat, Menin talks about her
upbringing in Washington, D.C., how her mother’s
brave story of coming the United States infl uenced
her and how big of an impact her position
will have in the upcoming census.
Menin’s positions with the city are diverse, but
go hand in hand, taking on issues such as voting
rights, disenfranchisement, gerrymandering and
other things connected to the census.
She has held numerous titles over her career,
including attorney, redistricting commissioner,
the head of consumer aff airs in New York City,
commissioner of the Mayor’s offi ce on media and
entertainment, an adjunct professor at Columbia
University and many others.
Th e 2020 Census will have a huge impact on the
future of the city and Menin will have her say in
how the citizens of New York are treated, including
the controversial “citizenship question.”
“Our fear is that it’s really an attempt to suppress
immigrants and we’re a city that is 38 percent
immigrants,” she said. “We’re not going to
stand for this and we’re going to stand up and
fi ght for this.
Menin wants to make people aware of how
important the census is to the allocation of over
$800 billion in government funding.
“If we have an undercount and people don’t fi ll
out the census, we’re going to lose funding for
public schools, public housing, senior citizens,
health care… so many programs that are important
to New Yorkers,” she said.
She wants people to stand up to the government
by taking their fi ve minutes and fi lling out
the census.
“We have to make sure that New York City
gets the funding it deserves, it’s rightfully ours,”
Menin says.
Look for the Power Women podcast on qns.com
(click the icon on the left side of the homepage).
Fine Belgian and Balkan cuisine on the menu for second World’s Fare
Embrace authenticity at the second
annual World’s Fare at Citi Field on
May 18 and 19.
Come to the World’s Fare and experience
authentic global cuisine, drink,
music and culture! Th e World’s Fare
is the most diverse food festival New
York has ever seen. Th is year we welcome
some amazing new vendors such
as Chef Alexandra Dettori.
A classically trained chef with a background
in law, Alexandra of A.D.
Catering and Events decided to move
to the United States from Belgium to
start her catering company that specializes
in global cuisines. We’re proud to
have her on board at this year’s World’s
Fare, where she’s bringing along her Eri-
Tacos (a blend of Eritrean and Ethiopian
fl avors) that will undoubtedly be one of
the highlights this May 18 and 19!
Another new and incredible addition
is the female-owned Balkan Bites. Th ey
are bringing their delicious burek, a staple
of Balkan cuisine, to the World’s
Fare. Now’s your chance to get your
tickets at LOWEST price of the season.
Don’t miss out on ALL of the curated
international food vendors, international
beer garden, cocktail bars representing
diff erent regions of the world, live
music and dance, and the exciting international
shopping pavilion.
Photo courtesy of Festival Media
Prices start at $19 so don’t wait – get
your tickets to the World’s Fare 2019
today!
Citi Field is centrally located in New
York City with parking and many public
transportation options. Check out
www.TheWorldsFare.nyc for more
information.
DYNAMIC DENTAL WORK
funny results!
Poor redheaded
(Stephanie Sands)
smiles through it all
while gossiping shamelessly
Poor Tim Allgood
(Gary Ducoing) is so,
so smart but is always
undone by the incompetence
thespians. Luckily,
perpetually inebriated
org or call (917) 579-5389.
NOW YOU SEE IT NOW YOU DON'T
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175-15 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica • 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106
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