Broadway is even closer than Long Islanders might think in the historic waterfront village of Northport, Long Island at the John W. Engeman Theater. Recently renovated, this theater presents dramas, musicals, and children’s productions each season. The productions are professional and rival any Broadway production. Conveniently located at 250 Main Street, Northport, NY, Long Islanders can enjoy the Broadway theater without experiencing the congestion of midtown Manhattan. After enjoying a night at the theater, you can stroll along the scenic waterfront which is only seconds away from the theater.
The John W. Engeman Theater was awarded 1st Place for Best Live Theater from Best of L.I. There is a Green Room Piano Bar and Lounge in the lobby open to ticket holders one hour before the performance and to the general public after the performance. You can purchase such beverages as craft beers, select wines, cocktails, and soft drinks.
The George and Ira Gershwin musical “Crazy for You” is currently playing at the John W. Engeman Theater from June 25 – August 16, 2009. This musical won the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical on Broadway. The Gershwin music is classic American and the production is filled with incredible dancing and and a storyline that will fill you with laughter. It is a lighthearted night at the theater that will easily help you forget any cares you had as you walked in. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.
The musical “Rent” comes to the John W. Engeman Theater from September 10 to November 1, 2009. This musical is the winner of numerous theater awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, four Tony awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, six Drama Desk Awards, three Obie Awards, and the Drama League Award. The musical is based on Puccini’s opera La Boheme.
For those thinking ahead to the holiday season, “Miracle on 34th Street” will be presented from November 19 – January 3. This classic Christmas time story is a treat for the whole family and one your children will remember for a long time to come. If you do not want to deal with the traffic into Manhattan to see the New York City Ballet’s traditional production of “The Nutcracker” or experience the midtown traffic getting to the holiday extravaganza at Radio City Music Hall, going to the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport could provide a wonderful alternative for a festive holiday season.
Once the holiday season winds down, you can laugh your way through the cold, bleak winter months with the British comedy “Run for Your Wife” scheduled to run from January 21 – February 21, 2010. This is the story of a man who has two wives and tries to explain things after he ends up in the hospital because he is mugged. If you think your life is complicated with day-to-day stuff, you ought to leave this play feeling really relieved that your life is relatively simple.
You won’t be feeling relieved for long should you decide to see “Dial M for Murder,” the next production at the John W. Engeman Theater from March 11 – April 11, 2010. This psychological, spellbinding story will keep you in suspense.
You can end the season with the wonderful musical “Fiddler on the Roof” from April 29 – June 20, 2010. If you were not lucky enough to see this production on Broadway and haven’t seen the movie, this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a musical that has gorgeous music and a very sensitive story. You will leave the theater humming and thinking about life all at the same time.
Unlike Broadway theaters which feature one musical or play at a time, the John W. Engeman Theater also features productions specifically geared to children. The Children’s Theater productions are sponsored by TD Bank. “Aladdin” is currently playing at the Engeman Theater and runs from July 18 to August 15, 2009. It is a wonderful way for your children to get lost in a world of imagination on a hot summer day. Afterwards, you can take them for an ice cream treat at one of the many shops along Main Street near the harbor. It will truly be a memorable summer day. Past productions at the Children’s Theater have included “The Wizard of Oz,” “Frosty,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Seussical,” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Stroll around Northport harbor after attending the theater. The natural setting of the harbor is breathtaking and the surrounding shops and homes very quaint. Northport is on the North Shore of Long Island (“Gold Coast”) between Huntington and Smithtown. The town was settled in the 1600s and the first inhabitants were a peaceful Indian tribe named Matinecocks. Their camp was where LIPA ( the Long Island Power Authority) is now located. In 1650, the first European settlers came from New Amsterdam (now New York City), and they reported back to the Dutch government that the area was good for fishing, farms, and cattle with meadow lands. Soon after, the area was renamed The Great Cow Harbor.
As you walk along Northport harbor and Main Street after a show, you will see many shops and homes from the Victorian Age as well as the 18th Century. A few hours in Northport will not only transport you back in time and give you a chance to enjoy beautiful scenery, but will take your imagination on a journey as well while you are in the theater.
References: http://www.johnwengemantheater.com
