54 The QUEE NS Courier • BUZZ • june 9, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com ‘Sondheim’ opens at Royal Star Theatre Tuxedos and evening gowns are the order of the day on stage. It’s opening night at the Royal Star Theatre of ICC (Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy School Auditorium) in Jamaica Estates. Their “Side by Side by Sondheim” is on a short run at 179-14 Dalny Rd. Stage and musical director Paul L. Johnson sits at his piano, facing the singers. He’ll be guiding them throughout the evening. More strong leadership is supplied by popular community theater veteran Amanda Doria. She is president of the troupe and serves as the show’s anchor. Her role as “Narrator” takes the audience from scene to scene with humor and charm. Choreographer Amanda Montoni provides the steps for the show’s eight performers. The presentation features dozens of songs from Stephen Sondheim’s extensive theatrical portfolio. More notable entries include music from Leonard Bernstein (“West Side Story”) and others. The troupe begins with “Comedy Tonight” from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” Numerous group presentations, duets and solos punctuate the evening’s menu of favorites. Regina Lim- Fischedick and Jillian Smith are paired for “If Momma Was Married” in Act I and for their powerful “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love” in the second act. Kim Guarino’s solos include “I’m Still Here,” while Elisabeth Shapiro‘s solos include “Losing My Mind.” In Act II, formal attire is replaced with bright colored costumes. The gentlemen of the ensemble (Christian Barnes, Bryce Klatsky, Edwin A. Palacio and Daniel Walstad) deliver a very funny interpretation of “You Gotta Get a Gimmick.” Their irreverent costumes include wildly teased purple hair, oddly placed flashing lights and a shimmering gold wig. It receives well-earned applause from the audience. Bryce’s touching solo “Send in the Clowns” is also memorable. Neither act includes scenery or sets. The group relies on their costumes, mannerisms and their own stage presence to carry the evening. Nods to everyone behind the scenes, including production coordinator Maryellen Pierce, stage managers Erick Neilssen and JK Larkin and lighting designer John Palmieri. Bows as well to Scott Stein (keyboard 2), Ryan McBrIde (percussion), John Baratta (crew), Charlene Greenberg, Cookie Knisbaum, Dena Rae Civello and Steven Smith. For info on this and future productions, surf to www.royalstartheatre.org or call 718-428-8681. As always, save me a seat on the aisle. A VIEW FROM THE CLIFF BY CLIFF KASDEN Bayside High School celebrates 80th anniversary this month By Brianna Ellis [email protected]/@briinformed Attention Bayside High School alumni: it’s time to celebrate your alma mater! Bayside High School invites all graduates, faculty and friends to celebrate the institution’s 80th anniversary with a reunion on Saturday, June 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 32-24 Corporal Kennedy St. Among the honorees are Alice Hartley, former assistant principal at Bayside HS; Stephen Piorkowski, physical education teacher; state Senator Tony Avella and Councilman Paul Vallone. Food has been generously donated by Brian Dempsey’s in support of the new Friends of Bayside High School Community & Alumni association. Music will be played by a live DJ and the Bayside HS Music Production Career Technical Education students. Bayside community members and alumni are asked to meet at the high school a day prior to the event on Friday, June 10, for student guide tours of the school, yearbook viewings, an art show and this year’s SING production. Tickets will not be sold at the door and must be purchased in advance for $50, due to limited seating. Food should also be ordered in advance. For more info, visit the Friends of Bayside High School website, http://friendsofbaysidehighschool. org/. Enjoy a local artist’s new paintings and photography at Astoria Coffee By Vic Vaiana [email protected]/@QueensCourier Photographer Pichan Kietsrichart has always been fascinated by the relationship between people and their material objects, and now, he is showcasing his work at Astoria Coffee. A resident of Astoria for seven years, Kietsrichart had never visited the coffee shop until recently. The space’s kitschy vibe struck Kietsrichart, inspiring him to pitch a show to the owner. Kietsrichart crafted this “double concept” project over the course of two month. While the exhibition includes Kietsrichart’s street photography, he created a series of mixed media painting, using his “photos as a canvas” for materials like gold leaf and marker ink. Several of the paintings were completed with the help of Kietsrichart’s 3-year-old son. For one piece, Kietsrichart photographed a crumpled Anthora coffee cup, whose iconic Greek-inspired design has become associated not just with coffee, but with the fast pace of New York City life. He told his son to “tell me about coffee.” Kietsrichart bonded with his son during the experience, and he has resolved, “every show I have, I will have one photo where I work with my son.” The project also includes large prints of street photography more typical of Kietsrichart’s work. The photos feature characters immersed in their smartphones at the New York Public Library and the Brooklyn Museum, surrounded by paintings. A third image features a woman walking through an underpass in Rego Park, presumably looking up directions. These images, combined with the paintings of coffee cups and spices, speak to the shifting nature of “what people value.” Born in Bangkok to Taiwanese parents, Kietsrichart worked in advertising before photography. After Photo by Vic Vaiana encountering photographers in his professional world, he decided that he’d like to try wield a camera himself. Initially, Kietsrichart moved to the New Photographer Pichan York to study at the School of Visual Arts, but dropped out once he was offered a fulltime position as a photo assistant, where he learned more than he ever did in school. After two years, he decided to embark on his own, building a freelance client base as a food photographer through his part-time work in the restaurant business. Kietsrichart
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