IN THE SPOTLIGHT, a Newsletter
SPAMALOT

The Knight's who say Ni, Killer Rabbits, and sidesplitting laughs take the stage in
"Monty Python's Spamalot"

Matt Crowle is a ripper as Sir Robin, here with his band of jesters Kevin Metzger, Rebecca Magazine, Vincent Orega and Brian Golub.

White rabbits, shrubberies, and “Knights who say Ni!” are rigged to overtake the stage in the Long Island professional premiere of “Monty Python's Spamalot,” July 13-30 at The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.

“Spamalot” ran for over 1500 Broadway performances and was described by the original producers as “lovingly ripped off” from the classic 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Armed with a book by Eric Idle—founding member of the British comedy troupe—and music by John Du Prez, the irreverent musical spoofed, satirized and 'slapstick-ed' its way into fourteen 2005 Tony Award nominations, ultimately winning award for Best Musical.

Keith Andrews directs the Gateway production - he directed “Avenue Q,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” and “Urinetown” at The Gateway, and has provided original staging and choreography for both the national tour and The Gateway production of “The Full Monty.” He is accompanied by musical director Jeff Hoffman whose Gateway credits include “Fosse” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

King Arthur is played by Peter Simon Hilton, a native of the United Kingdom with credits on both sides of the Atlantic. Hilton has been seen at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival as Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing” and as Marc Antony in “Julius Caesar.” Other productions include the United States tour of “Frost/Nixon” and the Cameron Mackintosh-Royal Shakespeare Company's production of “Les Miserablés” in Manchester, England.

The Lady of the Lake is portrayed by the wickedly talented Coleen Sexton, widely known from the role of Lucy Harris in Broadway's “Jekyll & Hyde” and she is appears in the filmed version of the show starring David Hasselhoff. John Rochette rushes into action as Sir Lancelot the Brave, with Matthew Crowle following at a safe distance as Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot. Rochette was most recently at The Gateway in “Happy Days” and has had recurring roles on CBS's “The Guiding Light” and ABC's “All My Children.” Crowle's relationship with “Spamalot” continues, after acting in the original Broadway production. Earlier this year, Crowle played Harold in Gateway's “'S Wonderful.” Chris Cooke tries to give expert advice as Sir Bevedere the Wise while Andrew Kober wisely attempts to stop giving of himself as Sir Galahad the Pure. Cooke recently understudied for Stephen Colbert in “Company” at the New York Philharmonic and was seen in Gateway's “Avenue Q” and “Happy Days.” Kober was featured in the Broadway and in the West End revivals of “Hair” and can regularly be seen in HBO's “Boardwalk Empire.”

Spamalot runs through July 30th at the Patchogue Theater, 71 East Maine St. - Dont miss this one!

"The Who's Tommy," Student Edition



Twenty-eight local performing arts students, ages 18-and-under, are ready to sing, dance and rock ‘n' roll in “The Who’s Tommy,” presented by the Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County at Bellport’s Gateway Playhouse, July 21-30.

“Tommy” is a rock opera that follows a young boy as he ventures away from pain and abuse and finds success as an international pinball star. Based on the The Who’s 1969 double-album of the same name, the stage musical includes classic songs such as “Amazing Journey,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Sensation” and “Tommy Can You Hear Me?”

Robin Joy Allan will direct, with musical direction by Justin S. Fischer. Allan, Gateway’s Artistic and Casting Director and the Director of the Acting School Division, has provided casting for over 100 professional productions at The Gateway as well as films including “Parenthood,” “Lord of the Flies” and “When Harry Met Sally.” Allan also directed last years groundbreaking production of "Les Miserablés" - student edition. Fischer was musical director for this season’s “Legally Blonde” at The Gateway and was the associate music director for the 2nd national tour of “Spring Awakening.”

“Tommy” was cast from an open audition conducted at The Gateway in late June. Like last year's nearly-sold-out student production of “Les Miserablés,” “Tommy” will feature students from communities across Long Island, including Babylon, Bayport, Brightwaters, Centereach, Coram, Holbrook, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Sayville, Smithtown, Manorville, Miller Place, Oakdale and West Hampton.

Performances of “The Who’s Tommy: Student Edition” will be held July 21 - July 30. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students age 25 and under.


The cast of Legally Blonde meets and greets with the girls from Mercy Center Ministries



As part of the new outreach program, The Gateway invited 20 girls from the Mercy Center Ministries on Thursday afternoon, July 7.

The Mercy Center Ministries is a community based, nonprofit organization founded in 1983 in response to a growing number of homeless teens located right here in Patchogue.

The girls had a wonderful time and got to meet and greet with the cast for autographs and photos.

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In this issue:

• Sidesplitting Laughs in Spamalot!
• The Who's Tommy, Student Edition
• Legally Blonde meets Mercy Center
•The Gateway on Facebook
• Now Playing
• Puppy Time on TV!
• Become a member!
• Chilren's Theater Series


Saddle up those coconuts
and trot on over -
get your tickets now!

Youth and student tix only $25!


Now On Stage:





July 13 - 30




July 20 - July 30