An extended season for wowee musicals, by #LINDALEUZZI
The Gateway is expanding its season for musical and artistic enjoyment starting this June into April, 2023. “We decided to spread out the season over a longer time frame so we’re putting more space between productions,” said Gateway executive artistic director Paul Allan. “Our core season is still six shows, but they are spread out.”
An imaginative and fun schedule is being pitched: “Head Over Heels, The Musical, The Go-Go’s Broadway hit June 3-26; “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” July 15-August 7; “The Cher Show,” August 26-Sept. 11 (Patchogue Theatre); “A Christmas Carol, The Musical” December 16-28 (Patchogue Theatre); “The Wedding Singer, The Musical Comedy,” January 27-February 26; and “Clue, A Hilarious Farce Meets Murder Mystery.” Concerts and special events will be offered on select dates.
What pushed the decision?
“Several years ago we started concerts in March and April and found that people were interested in coming,” said Director of Development and Public Relations Scot Patrick Allan. “We had a series that included “As You Like It,” and “Murder On the Orient Express,” in the mix. So post Covid made everyone re-think their processes.”
Scot Allan was frank about the productions, although stellar; one would be on stage while another was in the rehearsal halls hoofing it and emoting over a short two-week period.
“It was exhausting and sometimes made a production not as good as we’d like it,” he said. “Or sometimes a cast member would step out and we’d have to find a replacement quickly.”
Were there some stars already nailed down for roles?
“We’re working on it,” Scot Allan answered. “A lot of the shows have star vehicle opportunities.”
Gateway Associate Artistic and Casting Director Michael Baker said city auditions would be taking place soon.
“I have to start with interest checks and availability and actors who have done the same or similar roles before who can deliver and can bring that level of experience like Andrea McArdle and Sally Struthers,” Baker said. “In March it could be twice a week for auditions, then it gets more frequent. Right now there are still Covid rules, so most come to us on video but this next month we’re waiting for Covid protocols to change. Then we’ll book studio space for auditions in New York at 42nd street studios.”
Director Keith Andrews, director of many Gateway shows, will be heading up “Head Over Heels.”
Broadway sets and costumes have already been secured, said Scot Allan.
Get ready for transformative sets and knockout garb.“We wanted to do a sparkly season,” said Scot Allan.
As Allan describes it, “Head Over Heels” jumps with 80’s rock punk music, castles and magical allure.
“Head Over Heels” follows the escapades of a royal family on a journey to save their kingdom from extinction as they traipse through dilemmas to The Go-Go’s music. (Hot dig! Get ready to swing hips to “We Got the Beat.) They find the key to their realm’s survival is in their hearts. So with this one, it’s crenelated towers, gowns and a fab set.
“A lot of people haven’t seen it yet,” he said.
Also, who couldn’t use being touched by a Disney wand about now? “It’s the first time the full-scale Broadway musical is available to us,” Scot Allan said of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” Emily Grace Tucker as Ariel has just signed on with The Gateway to star in “The Little Mermaid.” In 2020, she was nominated for two Broadway World awards for her performance in “The Little Mermaid” as Ariel.
Remember Cher and those knockout Bob Mackie outfits and fun songs? (We’ve got you, babe!)
The season ends in March-April with “Clue,” a nod to the success of “Murder On the Orient Express,” Gateway’s production in March of 2020 just before Covid hit.
Allan pointed out also that more summer people in the area have decided to stay or Manhattan folks are now ensconced locally.
“This schedule allows us to run the shows longer from three weeks to five weeks giving patrons more lead time to see shows. Sometimes they hear about a show and then by the time they decide to see it, the show closes, so this gives them a better opportunity,” he said.
Photo: Emily Grace Tucker as Ariel will star in The Gateway’s upcoming production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid. “The Gateway has extended their season of musicals into April, 2022. Courtesy photo