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QC09082016

58 The Queens Courier • buzz • SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com Secret Theatre’s ‘Merchant…’ is good business It’s post-World War II Italy. The prejudices s buzz unleashed during those darkest of days still simmer. Enter a certain businessman named Shylock. Yes, Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” has arrived for your scrutiny. Offering a strong cast and a plea for earthquake-battered Italy, the Secret Theatre’s high quality and good intentions are truly “good business.” Executive producer and company founder Richard Mazda is Shylock. In this modern version, his character is a bitter moneylender who bears deep emotional scars inflicted by fascist treachery. His skewed world fosters a rigid need for revenge. He is neither a sympathetic character A VIEW FROM THE CLIFF nor deserving of mockery. The story’s many twists and turns can be appreciated as brilliant Shakespeare or as a window into discomfortingly modern religious prejudice. Frequently a comedy painted with numerous broad strokes, it is also a deadly serious indictment of bias. Director Alberto Bonilla offers highly skilled actors whose characterizations feed the story’s ambiguities. Does Antonio’s (Michael Vincent Carrera) consistently good nature deserve a pardon for his repeatedly poor judgment? Is the beautiful heiress Portia (Joy Donze) a master of comedy in Act I or a shrewd but vindictive judge in Act II? Other characters dressed in army fatigues or dancing to the 1940s big band sound provide insight into both friendship and folly. Zachary Clark as Bassanio is convincing in his love for Portia. He is equally effective as a clown who is duped by his own wife. More roles are well played as lovers or losers, depending on the storyline. Well-earned nods to Tom Harney (Gratiano), Grace Merriman (Nerissa), Mike Lee (Launcelot Gobbo), Dylan Cote (Lorenzo), Isabella Curti (Jessica) and supporting players J.B Alexander, A.B. Lugo and Matt Biagini. Did the troupe miss their opportunity to make a clear statement on love, hate and retribution in BY CLIFF KASDEN our modern political world? Not at all. Their preference for characterization over politics intentionally leaves the audience with a sense of discomfort. It’s the same disquieting feeling that greets us when watching the 6 o’clock national news. Or the 7 o’clock international update. Bravo, indeed! The Secret Theatre is located at 44-02 23rd St. in Long Island City. Performances routinely challenge your intellect and imagination. For information on this and future productions, visit www.secrettheatre.com or call 718-392-0722. As always, save me a seat on the aisle. Family celebrates their Ivy League grad with style The Volpe and Mattone families recently celebrated the academic achievements of a young man who has a bright future in the medical world. Matthew Volpe graduated from Princeton University and received a study grant to attend the Harvard School for Medical Research. He is the son of Doctors Francesca Mattone-Volpe and Nicholas Volpe, who threw a party on Aug. 20 at the North Hills Country Club. Also in attendance at the party were their children Lena Volpe, currently enrolled at Princeton University; Tessa Volpe, currently in high school; and Nicholas Volpe Jr., who is attending the medical school at Northwestern University. Pictured at the party are (from left to right) Lena Volpe; grandfather Joseph Mattone; Matthew Volpe; grandmother Mary Ann Mattone; Nicholas Volpe Sr.; Nicholas Volpe Jr.; and Francesca Mattone-Volpe. Movers & SHAKERS New Leader for Queens Hospital Queens Hospital Center welcomed its new CEO, Christopher Roker, who has an extensive resume in business and healthcare management. Before Queens Hospital Center, Roker worked for the MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio, as senior vice president and chief hospital administrative officer. There, he oversaw and managed the quality and efficiency of all of MetroHealth System’s hospital operations as well as monitoring the business and financial operations. Prior to moving to Ohio in 2013, Roker worked for 19 years in healthcare administration for hospitals and medical supply manufacturers throughout New York and New Jersey. Some of the positions that he’s held throughout his long and formidable career include serving as vice president of business development and perioperative services at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, assistant vice president of the Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, assistant vice president of the Parkway Hospital in Forest Hills, and senior administrator for operations at Boro Medical in Long Island City. After graduating from the State University of New York at Oswego in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations, Christopher Roker Roker went on to get his MBA in general management from Pace University in 2005. In 2009 he earned a certificate in healthcare leadership advancement from the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He is also the brother of NBC News’ Al Roker.


QC09082016
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