68 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • NOVEMBER 14, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
A VIEW FROM
THE CLIFF
BY CLIFF KASDEN
Let ‘Gypsy’ entertain you at Theatre by the Bay
Community theatres in Queens continue
their renaissance with Th eatre by
the Bay’s powerhouse presentation of the
musical comedy classic “Gypsy.”
Th eir dynamic versions of popular
songs “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”
and “Let Me Entertain You” are fi lling the
house in Bayside/Bay Terrace.
On opening night, led by multidimensional
talents Cathy Chimenti (director),
Jenifer Badamo (choreographer) and Sue
Sussman (musical director), the cast and
crew off er a quality production, loaded
with local talent of every age.
Th e story itself, considered a modern
musical fable, unfolds in the dying
days of Vaudeville and bawdy burlesque.
Seemingly talentless Rose Louise (Jacklyn
Lisi) is locked in a perpetual battle of wills
with her domineering mother “Mama
Rose” (Mary Ellin Kurtz). Along with
younger sister June (Katharine Brady) the
trio is always just one step ahead of the
bill collectors. Enter Herbie (Gary Tifeld),
who tries desperately to upright their
sinking showbiz ship.
A shocking theatrical transformation
turns lackluster Louise into the legendary
entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee.
An outstanding performance by Mary
Ellin Kurtz turns every nuance of her
character’s controlling yet anguished personality
into a memorable musical statement.
Jacklyn Lisi’s Gypsy is also extremely
well interpreted and thoroughly believable.
Kudos to Tifeld and Brady for their
strong, solid dramatic and musical deliveries.
With a consistent nod to the community,
the very large cast includes schoolage
performers and silver seniors. Baby
June (Lillian Hamilton) sparkles with her
dancing prowess and sensational smile.
Young Louise (Valerie Varkonyi) helps set
the mood for the storyline’s transformations
in Act II.
Th e numerous tap dancing segments
are well done by the ensemble. A special
kudos to dance captain Brendan Bitler,
whose taps are clearly eff ortless.
Glamorous gowns and well-made period
costumes (Th ea Sieban) enhance the
evening. Set design (Colin O’Leary) and
a seamless performance (Karen Brucia,
stage manager) maintain the intended
eff ect.
Familiar anchors spotted onstage include
John Canning and Michael Chimenti.
Nods as well to producers Barbara and Eli
Koenig and Helene Schwartz. Long and
loud applause to the exotic dancers (Dian
Wroblewski, Kathleen Nadal Eberhardt,
Debbie Barbieri), the full dancing ensemble,
supporting players and the entire production
team. Well done!
For information on this and future productions
call 718-428-6363, visit www.
theatrebythebayny.com or “like” them on
Facebook.
As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
Rockaway Theatre Company’s
‘Spelling Bee’ is a H-I-T
Are you ready to mind your P’s and Q’s?
Th e 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling
Bee is about to begin. Just fi nd your seats
at the Post Th eatre in Fort Tilden/Gateway
National Park. Th e Rockaway Th eatre
Company’s talented performers are presenting
this aff ectionate musical comedy.
On opening night the house is full. Th e
adults portray likable if somewhat nerdy
school-age children. Th eir exaggerated
quirks and strengths are a delight to watch.
Each contestant rises to the challenge as
sometimes baffl ing and sometimes simplistic
words are deciphered.
Though seemingly harmless, the show is filled
with adult humor and political jabs. Poignant
views of life and love are cleverly woven into the
storyline. The performers interact frequently with
the audience. In fact, several “unsuspecting” theatergoers
are invited onstage to participate in the
spelling bee.
Th e regular competitors possess extraordinarily
unusual names, off -beat clothing
or uncommon hobbies. Let’s see. Th ere’s
Logaine Schwartzandgrubenniere played
loudly and well by Sam Livigni. Her two
dads are driving her to premature neurosis.
Will she overcome?
Leaf Coneybear is joyously played
by Brian Sadowski. He sings “I’m Not
Th at Smart” with absolute glee! William
Barfee (that’s pronounced BarFAY) is the
most impatient speller. Played by Jeremy
Plyburn, he sings “Magic Foot” with
self-satisfi ed confi dence. Chip Tolentino
(Georgie Raiola) wrestles with puberty
more than with the lexicon. Marcy Park
(Ashley Chico) is just so tired of being perfect.
Lonely but big hearted Olive Ostrovsky
is nicely portrayed by Melody Portnoy. Her
smile is truly contagious.
And let’s not forget the three adults who
actually portrayed adults. Vice Principal
Panch (Robert Wilkinson) has quite a crush
on current realtor and previous winner of the
bee, Rona Lisa Perretti (Kristen Plyburn). Th e
spelling bee represents the nostalgic highlight
of her life. Menacing paroled convict Mitch
Mahoney (Erech Holder-Hetmeyer) gains a
heart of gold by the end of the competition.
Local favorite Catherine Leib choreographs
and then co-directs with theater veteran
Susan Warren Corning (who also is
the troupe’s costumer). Th e orchestra, led
by Richard Louis-Pierre maintains its consistently
high standards. Kudos to stage
manager Suzanne Riggs, executive producer
Susan Jasper, and sets/scenic designs
led by Anthony Homsey and Frank Caiati.
Applause as well to the entire support staff
too numerous to acknowledge by name.
For information on this and future productions,
click on www.rockawaytheatrecompany.
org, call 718-374-6400 or “like” them on
Facebook.
As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
Courtesy of Theatre by the Bay NY
Courtesy of Rockaway Theatre Company
Courtesy of David Bryant Johnson
/www.rockawaytheatrecompa-ny.org
/www.theatrebythebayny.com
/www.rockawaytheatrecompa-ny.org
/www.theatrebythebayny.com
/www.rockawaytheatrecompa-ny.org
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