70 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • JUNE 6, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
‘Doubt’ is a sure thing at RTC
A VIEW FROM
THE CLIFF
BY CLIFF KASDEN
A disquieting portrait of righteous
opponents reaches a shocking anti-climax
in urban New York. Th e Rockaway
Th eatre Company’s current production
of “Doubt: A Parable” is an unforgettably
intense lesson in morality. Th e Pulitzer
Prize winning drama is off ered with skillful
acting, incredible sets and just the right
amount of “doubt” onstage and for the
audience.
Originally set in 1964, a stiff -necked
nun is determined to confront and cripple
the reputation of a much younger,
very progressive priest. Th e story focuses
on deeply introspective schoolteacher,
Father Flynn (Frank Caiati), who reaches
out to a bullied minority student. He
is quickly accused by school principal
Sister Aloysius (Susan Warren Corning)
of seriously inappropriate behavior. Are
the charges real or merely fabricated? Th e
audience is presented with exceptional
acting performances that deliberately
avoid tipping the scales in either direction.
Caiati is mesmerizing in another of
his always articulate, well-acted
interpretations. Corning is
outstanding in her obsessively
ruthless and withering attacks
on cleric Flynn. Supporting
roles by Ashley Ann Jones
as Sister James and Billyn
Tarplain as Mrs. Muller are
pivotal as a crisis of conscience
unfolds. Jones gives a wonderfully
understated presentation
while Tarplain is fi ery
in her paradoxically hardened
and compassionate displays of
emotion.
Co-directors David Risley
and Jodee Timpone are well
known for their countless
onstage and backstage hours
at RTC and elsewhere. Th ey’ve
utilized their extensive talent
and experience to bring out
the best in their performers,
production crew and creative
teams. A Broadway-caliber set
(Anthony Homsey, Frank Caiati and crew)
brings the realistic interior and exterior
downstage and then laterally with professional
precision.
Light and shadow (Elijah Schreiner and
Suzanne Riggs, lighting design and tech)
add to the brooding, moody moments
and emphasize a bleak autumn’s eff ects.
Haunting sounds of crows (Richard
Louis-Pierre and Th omas Burke, sound
design and tech) send shivers through
the audience as the sense of foreboding
increases. Realistic costumes (Adele
Wendt) for the priest and nuns help transfer
emotions from the performers to the
audience.
Kudos to producer Susan Jasper, stage
manager Suzanne Riggs, house manager
Peggy Page Press and support personnel
too numerous to name. For information
on this and future productions, visit www.
rockawaytheatre.org, call 718-374-6400 or
“like” them on Facebook.
As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
LIC Flea & Food to kick off the summer season on June 29
BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAFF
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Mark your calendars – the LIC Flea
& Food’s seventh season is kicking off
this month, and they’ve got some special
events to look forward to.
On June 29 to 30, the LIC Flea & Food
will open at 5-25 46th Ave., nearby the
iconic Pepsi-Cola sign along the iconic
Long Island City waterfront. Shoppers
can browse through vintage and handcraft
ed items while enjoying international
cuisine as well as local craft beer in
their Beer & Wine Garden.
On Th ursday, July 4, LIC Flea &
Food will host a special day to celebrate
Independence Day. From 2 p.m. to midnight,
guests can shop, eat and sip before,
during and aft er the fi reworks, plus enjoy
some live music and activities. Admission
is free, however those who RSVP on the
LIC Flea & Food website get a chance to
win LIC Flea bucks to spend at the Flea.
Fast-forward to fall and the LIC Flea &
Food is hosting a Wine and Tunes Festival
on Sept. 14 to 15. Guests can sample over
40 types of wines, including bubbly and
rosé curated by their wine experts. Pair
the tastings with off erings from the global
food market and listen to live tunes.
Finally, the LIC Flea & Food’s Beer
Festival is returning for its fourth year on
Oct. 4 to 5. Craft beer lovers can enjoy
unlimited tastings of over 50 beers from
the best in Queens, Brooklyn, Th e Bronx,
Long Island and Upstate breweries – plus
some great hard ciders too – and enjoy
music by top DJs and great food from the
best in international cuisine. Tickets are
now on sale at the LIC Flea & Food website,
so reserve your spot today!
For a full schedule, visit licfl ea.com. File Photo
DYNAMIC DENTAL WORK
NOW YOU SEE IT NOW YOU DON'T
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