Spotlight Theatre Productions Presents "Sweeney Todd, the demon Barber of Fleet Street"

The Putnam County News and Recorder, April 2, 2003

Spotlight Theatre Productions of Mohegan Lake presents Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway Smash Hit Musical "Sweeney Todd, the demon Barber of Fleet Street" under the direction of Pat Concilio. "Sweeney Todd" is showing at the Spotlight Theatre located on the Tom Thumb Campus 1949 East Main Street in Mohegan Lake (next to the Fire House) thru April 12.

Sweeney Todd opened at the Uris Theatre on March 1, 1979. It went on to win 8 Tony Awards including "Best Musical." The original cast featured Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett and Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd.

Sweeney Todd was once Benjamin Barker, a London barber who was incarcerated on a trumped up charge by Judge Turpin who took his wife and daughter Johanna. Now that Todd’s escaped and been brought back to London by sailor Anthony whose life he saved, he plans revenge on the Judge.

Come to see the outcome. It’s a marvelous and professional cast. Truly an evening of real Sondheim entertainment! The cast includes Michael Toscano as Sweeney Todd, Jeanne McCabe as Mrs. Lovett, Matt Ronan as Anthony, Jessica Bittner as Johanna, Rachel Kugelmass as the Beggar Woman, Michael Farrar as Pirelli, Jojo Mauro as Tobias, Marty Posner as Beadle Bamford, Jan Dyckman as the Judge and a marvelous ensemble. Call the box office at 845-526-3461 for tickets and information.

'The Music Man' hits all the right notes

Theatre review by Jason Gelardi, The North County News, November 20, 2002-November 26, 2002

Spotlight Theatre's production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, directed by Patrick Concilio, assisted by John T. Leonard, is a small company's ambitious effort at a big-time production. This was a community event in the truest sense. Before the show the actors in full wardrobe were milling around the lobby outside the theatre talking with guests and family. It seemed everybody knew everybody else.

There lurked a bit of apprehension about this assignment because this reviewer has seen good intentioned community productions end up a train wreck. Those anxieties were quelled as the doors opened to the theatre. There would be no derailment this evening.

The Music Man explodes onto the stage with a fast-paced, foot-tapping opening number. A medley of overlapping voices ushers the audience back to a time where all men wore full brim hats and one could get away with wearing a candy-cane striped sports jacket. The year is 1912; you're in the small town of River City, Iowa.

Gloria Concilio's costumes are detailed and historically accurate right down to the last cuff link. Evan Zangerly, an elementary school music teacher, leads a crisp musical score. There were the occasional screeching sounds of feedback over the speakers, but overall the show's technical elements were first rate. Most impressive was the choreography by John Leonard.

There were musical numbers that at times had up to 20 actors onstage all moving in unison. Actors dancing in and out of the aisles, instruments playing so closely to the audience that one could see their reflections in the brass, all making the onlookers feel as if they were part of the show.

Tom Riehl is credible as the slick-talking musical conman, Professor Harold Hill. Riehl has a commanding stage presence and a serviceable voice. He is onstage for nearly the entire production but remains vibrant and fresh throughout. Alexandra Rundle as Marian Paroo has by far the strongest voice of the cast and the charm to match. Maureen Thaler is delightful as Mrs. Paroo. This real life mother and daughter combination plays wonderfully.

The poise and talent of 9-year-olds Nicole Concilio as Amaryllis and Andrew Myers as Winthrop Paroo is remarkable. The adorable "mini-thespians" just about stole the show.

The final number is a testament to the beauty of community theatre. Through the doors and down the isle in full uniform marched the Mahopac High School Band led by Patrick Grasso in the role of Tommy Djilas. Trumpets trumpeting and flutes flittering, this scene delivers a triumphant finale. It was impressive and amazing that no musician tripped over an audience member on the way to the stage.

Spotlight's cozy theatre reflects the subtle charm of this inspired production. Relatively comfortable chairs, ample room and good vantagepoints from all seats enhance the enjoyment of this production. Moreover, the theatre is complete with a full service refreshment stand. There was even a raffle during intermission where one audience member won $85. There is convenient parking and plenty of restaurants in the vicinity. A production of this magnitude is no easy task, but Director Patrick Concilio pulls it off in grand style. Community theatre is alive and well in Mohegan Lake.

Spotlight Theatre is located on The Tom Thumb Campus, 1949 East Main Street (Route 6) in Mohegan Lake. Admission prices are $15, general; $10 for children under 12 and seniors (dinner shows are $25). Information and reservations are available by calling 845-526-3461.

Look for Spotlight's next production, Sweeny Todd in April. The Music Man ends its run on November 23, with time left to catch it on Friday, the 22nd and Saturday, the 23rd at 8 p.m. Bring the family for a great time and a lovely show.

Jekyll & Hyde Review
North County News, April 17 - April 23

Spotlight Casts a Brilliant Light Onto Dr. Jekyll's Dark Journey Play Review by Kathy Daley "There's a beast at the door, and he's wild and free. Don't let him in. You don't want to see.

" So goes one of the lines in Jekyll & Hyde an apt way of capturing the theme of this dark musical that explores the fine line between good and evil, between gentleness and deadly power.

Power is an appropriate word to describe the incredible production of Jekyll & Hyde mounted for nine performance by Spotlight Theatre Productions In Mohegan Lake. This is no easy show. Based on the tale The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the story is a kind of science fiction thriller with moral overtones. It's dark and violent, rife with questions about the duality within men and women, and crammed with suffering.

But the Spotlight production is thrilling, and has to be one of the most compelling offerings ever mounted in community theater in the this area.

Do not miss this show. Leave the kids at home, and go prepared for an intense experience of stunning talent, professional staging and wonderful music.

Daniel Charest plays the role of the gentle Dr. Henry Jekyll and, after his drug-induced transformation, the brutal murderer Edward Hyde. This is an utter tour de force by a very accomplished actor. Charest's performance is so complex and rich, his ability to move from the decent Jekyll to the loathsome Hyde so skillful, that this reviewer, for one, sat openmouthed. Not to mention the fact that, like the television advertisements of the Broadway version of Jekyll & Hyde, Charest's monster is so sensual you nearly wind up rooting for him......

...........Actress Stephanie Masiello is a delicious Lucy, serving up a luminous portrayal with the look and sound of a young Bernadette Peters.....

.....The entire Spotlight cast does a terrific job framing this story in music and dance that suits its haunting nature. Directed by Pat Concilio, with musical direction by Nadia Rizzo and choreography by John T. Leonard, the show is absorbing from beginning to end.