62 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
RST’s ‘Young Frankenstein’ is scary good
A VIEW FROM
THE CLIFF
BY CLIFF KASDEN
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at TBTB
Are your houseplants listless? Has your
green thumb turned dark red? Perhaps
you need a trip to Mushnik’s fl ower shop
on old skid row. Or should I say his “Little
Shop of Horrors”? It’s onstage in Bayside
thanks to Th eatre by the Bay.
Th e award-winning musical’s opening
night does not disappoint. Th e talented
cast is directed by Queens A-lister
Cathy Bandin Chimenti. Her husband,
Michael Chimenti, does deliciously devilish
duty as sadistic Scrivello, D.D.S. Th e
pair maintain their status as Queens’ theatrical
royalty in their latest project.
“Little Shop…” is a very clever, very
funny sci-fi musical that unfolds in a
1950s slum. Th e sharp subplots include
simple greed, complicated romance and
perhaps a very sinister alien invasion.
Lovely Nicole Intravia plays self-deprecating
Audrey. Her hero, Seymour is also
nicely played by young Billy Marengo.
Among the scene stealers are the worldly
wise singing trio of Crystal (Chantel
Nicole), Chiff on (Steff y Jolin) and
Ronnette (Menyon Harrell). Bravos to all.
Th e enormous, man-eating plant ultimately
fi lls the stage. It is huge! Kudos to
puppeteer Eric Fiebelkorn and his voice
Julian Maultsby. Bows for supporting
players Fern Nash, Veronica Picone, John
Canning, Fran Geier and Olivia Klansky.
Yes, a gigantic, man-eating plant has
threatened to devour the world. Th e creature’s
dinner is a bit more palatable,
thanks to choreographer Jenifer Badamo,
musical director Alan Baboff , producers
Martha Stein, Barbara Koenig and Eli
Koenig (who also plays long-suff ering Mr.
Mushnik). As usual, there is strong support
from the entire crew. Careful, though
— you may leave humming “Suddenly
Seymour” or “Somewhere that’s Green”!
For information on this and future productions,
surf to www.theatrebythebayny.
com or call 718-428-6363 or “like” them
on Facebook. As always, save me a seat
on the aisle.
“Yodelaide, yodelaide, yodelaide”!
Yes, it’s time for a thoughtful trip to
Transylvania to tackle that terrifi c theorist,
his tremendously endowed technician
and a few fi ne friends, foes and countrymen.
Th e mad, mad Mel Brooks musical
masterpiece “Young Frankenstein” is
onstage once more!
At opening night’s performance, the
laughter never subsides. An outstanding
comedic presentation is led by fan
favorite Amanda Doria as the narcissistic
Elizabeth. Th e strikingly clever adult double
entendres, physical humor and crisp
songs, dance and dialogue keep the audience
in stitches for both acts.
Director Maryellen Pierce returns
with musical director Paul L. Johnson.
She shares choreography duties with
Amanda Montoni. Th e lead roles include
Giovanni Marine as the frizzy-haired,
neurotic scientist known as Dr. Frederick
Frankenstein. His ever-faithful assistant
“I-gor” (pronounced eye-gor) is played
with absolute joy by Mike Park. Th e lovely
laboratory lady is portrayed with a certain
sweet “smile” by Stephanie Sands.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, the never
smiling but ever-passionate housekeeper
Frau Blucher (Donna Falzon) also earns
plenty of applause. And the monster?
Well, kudos to a great green job by Joseph
D. Marchione.
Resilient Inspector Kemp (Kieran
Larkin), Ziggy (Ellen Armet) and the
lonely hermit (Michael Beltran) sustain
the story’s irreverent premise. Th e entire
supporting cast, the ensemble players, the
creative team and those behind the scenes
are too numerous to acknowledge by
name. Needless to say, the intensity and
wit that pervades the evening is another
fi ne example of a well-planned community
eff ort.
For information on this and future productions
surf to www.RoyalStarTh eatre.
org, call 516-672-7912 or “like” them on
Facebook. As always, save me a seat on
the aisle.
‘Veil’d’ at APAC unmasks secrets
It’s opening night for Astoria
Performing Arts Center (APAC) and
the world premiere of “Veil’d.” In a few
moments the audience will enjoy a disarming
modern fairy tale. By story’s end,
a basic secret of human nature will be
revealed.
Th e set (design by Claire DeLiso) is
an elevated cut-away of an inner city
apartment. Several “scrims” mask the
bedroom and the simple living room/
kitchen. Th roughout the performance
they are torn away for eff ect. Some clever
shadow puppets (design by Christine
Schisano) create a gentler cartoon atmosphere.
Th e woodwind accompaniment
(sound/music by Teresa Lotz) elevates
the story.
Th e storyteller, played by Kayla
Jackmon, appears fi rst. She is a likable
character with an unmistakably warm
stage presence. Reappearing as a delivery
man and Speedo the shark, she
morphs fl awlessly from one portrayal to
the next. Long-suff ering yet deeply loving
parents Rhami (Sahar Bibiyan) and
Amir (Rajesh Bose) add important and
convincing dimensions.
As Elliot, the somewhat disheveled
street poet, Christopher Reed Brown
is the heroic knight. Brown’s character
demonstrates a wonderful combination
of wit and fearlessness. His princess
in this urban fable is the beautiful
Dima. She is voluntarily “veil’d” with a
burqa for much of the story to protect
a physical affl iction. Nikhaar Kishnani
is enchanting as the young girl whose
self-imposed banishment and ultimate
rescue unfold in her apartment building/
ivory tower. Her vocal infl ections
are extremely expressive and enjoyable.
Her innocence and determination
are delivered with honesty and charm.
Brava!
Playwright Monet Hurst-Mendoza
and director Pirronne Yousefzadeh off er
a sensitive story that transcends cultures.
And the secret? It will take a trip
to Astoria to solve that riddle.
For details on this and future productions,
surf to www.apacny.org or call
718-706- 5750. As always, save me a seat
on the aisle.