A View from the Cliff continues to be a frequent, upbeat visit to live, family entertainment in Queens. My reviews began close to 20 years ago. This blog is a chance for readers to praise or pan our local performers. It’s also a venue for uncovering hidden talent in our borough.
On opening night of the British farce “See How They Run,” the Parkside Players offered nine talented performers. Most of them have one thing in common—they are major players in other local production companies. Rene Bendana, co-founder of Beari Productions, portrays a dastardly Russian spy. Rich Weyhausen, as an impatient British constable has performed and/or [...]
Should punishment fit the crime? Is justice merely politics? The dilemma is brought forward at Beari Productions’ version of “Judgment at Nuremberg.” This intense drama runs for two more weekends at All Saints’ Church, 214-35 40th Avenue in Bayside. Directed and produced by Debbie and Rene Bendana respectively, the 15 cast members carry a heavy [...]
Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. Every Sunday she crosses the mighty Delancey to visit her beloved grandmother in a magic kingdom to learn about life. She is infatuated with an evil knight who toys with her affections. One day, a gentle farmer learns about this lonely princess from a well-meaning, but [...]
The Rockaway Theatre Company continues to dazzle audiences with their current production of “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Musical.” Based on the beloved Peanuts characters created by Charles Schultz, the project excels as both an ensemble and individual effort. On opening night, the troupe’s performance was greeted with well-deserved applause and ovations from [...]
The challenges faced by Holocaust survivors and their families are confronted by Jake Ehrenreich as he honors the survivors of that horrible era in his poignant one man show. Armed only with his music, his humor and his memories, “A Jew Grows In Brooklyn” simultaneously brings the audience to laughter and tears at Queens Theatre [...]
I have always bragged that quality Queens theatre is just a short trip from your doorstep. Well, Queens is a big borough. Sometimes you have to go a little further to find the best Queens has to offer. A good example is The Rockaway Theatre Company, all the way out to the Gateway National Recreation [...]
The Greek Cultural Center in Astoria continues to provide first rate performances in their intimate theatre at 26-80 30th St. Their recent musical recital entitled “Composition Diary 1” was further proof that music, not words is often the international language of emotion. Unlike most other projects at the GCC, this one was overwhelmingly in Greek [...]
There’s a new super heroine in town. Her name is “Lightning Girl” and she has taken New York’s “Comic Con” by storm. By day she’s a mild-mannered, anonymous cartoonist but when her emotions are challenged, her fiery alter egos are unleashed. Welcome to “CHIX 6,” the first major production this fall at Queens Theatre, located [...]
The Greek Cultural Center in Astoria continues to provide first rate performances in their intimate theatre at 26-80 30th St. Their recent musical recital entitled “Composition Diary 1” was further proof that music, not words is often the international language of emotion. Unlike most other projects at the GCC, this one was overwhelmingly in Greek [...]
Who would have thought that a 1930s melodrama would have caused Teresa Zugger to add chairs to the house for this past Saturday night’s performance of the DCT player’s “Design for Murder.” Did director Eugene Sullivan tap into something special in the psyche of Queens theatregoer’s? I don’t know. I just don’t know. The cast [...]
