72 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • NOVEMBER 16, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
‘Then and Now’ at Rockaway Theatre
‘Cat’s Cradle’ is purr-fect whodunit at DCT
Hot-headed Inspector Jack Frost is
investigating a very cold case. A child’s
kidnapping and disappearance have gone
unsolved for years. Th e painful solution
may prove much more diffi cult than
mere child’s play. Th e cast of Douglaston
Community Th eatre skillfully off ers the
evidence in “Cat’s Cradle.” Will Jack Frost
melt an English town’s conspiracy of
silence?
On opening night, less than a dozen
players weave a huge web of mystery. As
the inspector, Rich Weyhausen returns
with another excellent and well-received
characterization. He develops Frost’s personality
with a keen eye toward his vulnerabilities.
His long list of enemies and
deceivers includes many talented and
very recognizable community theater veterans.
Oft en belligerent innkeeper Sam
is played with vengeful venom by Nick
DeCesare. Sir Charles’ malicious methods
are ably delivered by Joe Pepe.
More villagers align to bury Frost’s
investigation. Are they cruel killers or
merely caught in a murderous maelstrom?
Miss Merton (Adrianne Noroian),
the sweet but senile country doctor, is
her own worst enemy. Will she survive
the night? Peggy Fletcher (Barbara
Mavro) is very interested in Frost’s reappearance.
What are her ulterior motives?
Pamela Fulton (Annette Daiell) can be
so elegant — and so enraged! Such perfect
perpetrators! Too bad sweet Sarah
Fulton (Melissa Goller) has spent her
entire life surrounded by such vindictive
personalities. Only Bob Marriott (Dean
Schildkraut) has any intention of assisting
the inspector.
Th e melodrama is fi lled with lengthy
dialogues that still maintain the audience’s
attention. Th is is due to the compelling
strength of the script and the
brooding sense of foreboding and mystery
created by the players. Kudos to
director Vincent Scott, stage manager
Marionanne Rourke, sets (Ian
McDonald), lighting (Robert Stivanello,
Eric Leeb), sound (Gary Tifeld) and the
entire creative team.
For information on this and future
productions, contact the Douglaston
Community Th eatre at 718-482-3332.
Th ey are housed at the Zion Episcopal
Church Parish Hall near Northern
Boulevard and Douglaston Parkway. As
always, save me a seat on the aisle.
Rockaway really rocks! Another incredible
display of talent and creative energy
is currently on stage for the 20th anniversary
of the Rockaway Th eatre Company.
Th eir “Rockaway Café, Th en and Now”
off ers almost 50 performers. Th ey dazzle
the audience with visual and vocal exuberance
that is seldom seen off Broadway.
Th e songs, scenes and theatrical setups
receive high-quality treatment from
opening curtain to fi nal bows. Th e dancers
are the backbone of the show as
several choreographers lead the way.
Th ey oft en 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 Th omasina 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. Th e outstanding
musical presentations off er 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. Th e concluding scene in Act
I reveals the troupe’s amazing vision of
“Aquarius” and “Let the Sun Shine In.”
Th e audience is swept away by their energy
and excitement. Th e raft ers at the
Post Th eater at the Gateway National
Recreation Area (Fort Tilden) seem to
shake as the warm, wonderful feeling of
unity is palpable. Bravo!
Th e highlights are too numerous to
name without omitting deserving performers.
Clearly, the singers, dancers,
actors and musicians have left their inhibitions
backstage. Th eir theatrical tributes
engulf the stage and indeed the entire theater.
At times, the fl ats “upstage” become
movie screens to accompany the action
“downstage.” Sometimes a poignant solo,
a romantic duet or a talented trio take
“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”
them on Facebook. As always, save me a
seat on the aisle.
A VIEW FROM
THE CLIFF
BY CLIFF KASDEN