Phone: 631-748-7863
Address: PO Box 452, Bellport, NY 11713
President: John Hannon
Vice President: Chrisa Burke
Treasurer: Annette Maillard
Secretary: Bree Nurnberger
Playcrafters is a not-for-profit Community Theatre
Group. Since its inception in 1960, Playcrafters has strived to present
the very best in amateur theatre and have encouraged interest in the
performing arts by awarding Bellport High School Students' scholarships
as they pursue their education in the arts. To date we have awarded over
$50,000.00 in scholarships. Our purpose is to provide an
outlet for local talent and to offer reasonably priced tickets to our
local and neighboring communities.
We produce for the community a minimum of two
productions. One in the Spring and the other in the Fall. They consist
of a straight play and a musical. They are performed at our theatre
space at the Bellport Middle School.
We are always looking for people to share the
wonderful experience theater has to offer. Actors, Singers, Directors,
and backstage helpers are always welcome. Most importantly we need YOU
to come see our shows and enjoy the wonderful productions we have to
offer.
Playcrafters Celebrates 50
Years
Playcrafters recently held a celebration for their
50th anniversary. Below are photos from the event, provided by Playcrafters.
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Past Performances
The Night of the Iguana
Playcrafters recently presented Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana; the last of the distinguished American playwright's major artistic, critical, and box office successes. The play focuses on sexual relationships and odd characters, and many argue that Williams reveals more of himself in this play than in any of his previous works. Mr. Williams veers off in many philosophic directions in this searing pastoral, but the play's most poignant moments—scenes of enormous compassion—grow out of the understanding of two people, their mutual need for companionship, and their final moments of nobility in small gestures of unselfish aid to one another.
The story takes place on the coast of Mexico, 1940. When American minister Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon is expelled from his Virginia church, he travels to Mexico in search of his destiny and sanity. There he becomes a tour guide for a bus load of spinsters and a teenage nymphet named Charlotte Goodall, who is being chaperoned by the group's leader, the inflexible Judith Fellowes. Miss Fellowes, who is quite jealous of Charlotte's attentions to Shannon, discovers the young woman in his room and vows to have him fired. To thwart her plot, Shannon takes control of the bus from Hank, the bus driver, and speeds the tour group on a wild ride through the Mexican jungle to the crumbling, secluded hotel of an old friend, the recently widowed Maxine Faulk. Eventually Shannon becomes enamored with another guest at the hotel, the rather genteel Hannah Jelkes, an itinerant quick sketch artist and her poet grandfather Nonno. As the wise Hannah partially restores Shannon's fractured world, Shannon struggles to get back the rest of his sanity and his self-respect.
Steel Magnolias
Playcrafters’ Spring 2011 production took us to modern-day Louisiana for a story that made us laugh, smile, and shed a few tears. "Steel Magnolias" was the story of friendship – between women, neighbors, and generations.
The action took place in Truvy’s Beauty Parlor, where a group of friends gathered on the morning of Shelby’s wedding day for some hysterical and neighborly gossip. The story followed the next three years and the consequences of a very difficult decision. The women shared moments in their lives with grace, humor, and perfectly-coiffed hair. Prominent throughout the story was the love these women share – and its affect on the audience.
Actors in the above picture are (from left to right) Seated: Jill Linden, Kristin Davey, Claire Parrella-Curran, Lara Bowen; Standing: Jessica Howard and Linda Adams.
Evening of Comedy III
Just when you thought it was safe to return to the theatre... Brought back by popular demand, in November 2010 Playcrafters presented “An Evening of Comedy III” presented by the team of “Mr. D” (directed by George Loizides), and “Mr. P” (produced by John Hannon). Performances were held “Cabaret Style” (tables and chairs). The cast included: Lara Bowen (pictured above), Flo Federman, Jason Glass, Jill Linden, Dan Love, Peter Morrison, William Palladino (pictured above), Claire Parrella-Curran, and our Musical Emcee, Sean Burke.
Blithe Spirit
Playcrafters, Bellport's Other Live Theatre, performed "Blithe Spirit" by Noel Coward in April 2010. This wonderful comedy just recently had a successful limited run on Broadway. The story involves novelist Charles Condomine, living with his second wife, Ruth, invites a local medium, Madame Arcati, to his house. His intention is to do some research into the spirit world for his new book. But he gets more than he bargained for when Arcati conjures up the ghost of Charles first wife, Elvira. Caught between one live wife and one dead wife — Each jealous of the other — Charles thinks matters couldn't be worse.
Names of the actors in the picture above (in clockwise
order): Michelle Maimbourg, Flo Federman, Ed Stever, and Angela Becker.
Commemorative Production: “The Guys”
In honor of those working in the Fire Departments,
Playcrafters peformed a Readers’ Theatre version of the play
titled “The Guys” by Anne Nelson on September 11th and 12th. The action
in the performance takes place in the days following the World Trade Center
collapse when a journalist agrees to help a New York Fire Department Captain
write eulogies for several of the firemen he lost in the Twin Towers. As the
play progresses and they discuss the lives of each of the men, we learn more
about their profession, the emotions resulting from 9/11, and the meaning of
heroism.
"Night Watch"
Playcrafters recently presented Lucille Fletcher’s mystery, “Night Watch,”
on October 31st, November 1st, 7th and 8th at the
Bellport Community Center.
Directed by Phil Gellis and Produced by John Hannon and Annette Maillard,
“Night Watch” is a thriller about Elaine Wheeler, played by Kristin
Harrison, who believes she sees the body of a dead man in the window across
the way from her Manhattan townhouse. Police are called, but find
nothing except an empty chair. Elaine’s terror continues to grow as
she sees another body, this time a women. Because her husband, played
by John Anthony Casale claims she has been on the verge of a breakdown, her
psychiatrist, played by Amelia Chiaramonte and the Police Lieutenant and his
assistant, played by Tom Pelletier and Phil Gellis, respectively, suggest
that she be committed to a sanitarium. The plot moves quickly and
suspensefully as those involved – Elaine’s old friend and house guest
Blanche Cooke, played by Josie Susinno, the nosey neighbor Curtis Appleby
played by John Simpson, Sam Hoke, played by Lester Sprague, and her maid
played by Linda Weicenfeld, all contribute to the deepening suspense and
mystery as the play draws towards its riveting and chilling climax.
Plaza Suite
Playcrafters recently presented Neil Simon’s hit, “Plaza Suite,” a collection of three comic episodes set in Suite 719 of New York City’s famed Plaza Hotel, each bearing Simon’s trademark humor, sophistication, and wry insight into the complex nature of human relationships. Peter Morrison was the Director. "Plaza Suite" was performed on May 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th at their theatre space at the Bellport Middle School.
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Featured in above photo on left: Back Row: Amelia Chiaramonte and John Simpson.
Front Row: Matt Palace, Flo Federman, Jane Maushay, and Bob Vicchiullo.
The Crucible
On Saturday evening, March 8th, Playcrafters presented a well received dramatic reading of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." The reading of Miller's 1953 Tony Award winning play, which deals with the Salem Witch Trials, was directed by George Loizides and co-produced by Vicki Fleming and Kathy Loizides, with sound by Des Burke and Dennis Conroy. Many veteran Playcrafters participated, as well as teen-age new comers from Bellport and Patchogue High Schools. Members and guests were treated to a fine performance and delectable treats as Puritan costumed performers mingled with them. Thanks again to everyone involved, especially Christ Episcopal Church.