30 NOVEMBER 17 - NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP
“Then and Now” at RTC
A VIEW
FROM
THE CLIFF
Rockaway really rocks!! Another
incredible display of talent and
creative energy is currently on
stage for the 20th anniversary of the
Rockaway Theatre Company.
Its “Rockaway Café, Then and Now”
offers almost 50 performers. They
dazzle the audience with visual and
vocal exuberance that is seldom seen
off Broadway.
The songs, scenes and theatrical
set-ups receive high quality treatment
from opening curtain to final bows.
The dancers are the backbone of the
show as several choreographers lead
the way. They often appear in their
own segments to help anchor the
dancers’ clever movements.
Yes, well-deserved bows for Madiha
Corning, Catherine Leib, Gabrielle
Mangano, Dana Mongelli, Nicola
Nellen and Thomasina Ryszetnyk.
Costumes are sometimes golden and
glittering. Other times they are just
down and dirty to match the fabulous
funk!
Humor, satire, drama and nostalgia
are skillfully interwoven. The outstanding
musical presentations offer
memories from the 1950s to the present.
Director John Gilleece, producer
Susan Jasper and musical director Jeff
Arzberger (with the band) have harnessed
the unrestrained enthusiasm
of talented performers of every age.
The concluding scene in Act I
reveals the troupe’s amazing vision
of “Aquarius” and “Let the Sun Shine
In.” The audience is swept away by
their energy and excitement. The
rafters at the Post Theater at the
Gateway National Recreation Area
(Fort Tilden) seem to shake as the
warm, wonderful feeling of unity is
palpable. Bravo!
The highlights are too numerous to
name without omitting deserving performers.
Clearly, the singers, dancers,
actors and musicians have left their
inhibitions backstage. Their theatrical
tributes engulf the stage and indeed
the entire theater.
At times, the flats “upstage” become
movie screens to accompany
the action “downstage.” Sometimes
a poignant solo, a romantic duet or
a talented trio takes “center stage.”
Other segments feature dozens of
players dancing and singing to emotional
lyrics and melodies. What an
unforgettable evening!
For information on this and future
productions surf to www.rockawaytheatrecompany.
org, call 718-374-6400
or “like” the company on Facebook. As
always, save me a seat on the aisle.
Photo courtesy Rockaway Theatre Company
Cast members from “Then and Now.”
BY CLIFF KASDEN
Tickets Available www.Hamilton.ArmyMWR.com
UNITED STATES ARMY INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT COMMAND
Visit Us Online at ArmyMWR.com