Click Here For Additional Information On The Show
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Will Rogers |
TOM ANGLAND* | |
Betty Blake |
MARY MOSSBERG* | |
Clem Rogers |
DICK DECAREAU* | |
Ziegfeld's Favorite |
JACQUELINE BAYNE* | |
Vaudeville Announcer |
WILLIAM JAMES DANIELS* | |
Stage Manager |
ERIK FLOOR | |
Radio Engineer |
CHARLES LOGAN* | |
Naked Indian |
JERMAINE R. REMBERT* | |
Angel & Sun Spirit |
ANN COOLEY* | |
Wiley Post |
JOHN SIMPSON | |
James Rogers |
DANTE BALDASSIN | |
Mary Rogers |
KAELA MURPHY | |
Freddy Rogers |
RYAN KOERBER | |
Will Rogers Jr. |
SAM SELEZNOW | |
WRANGLERSWILLIAM JAMES DANIELS*, ERIK FLOOR, CHARLES LOGAN*, JERMAINE R. REMBERT* |
COW PEOPLEANNE BLOEMENDAL, AMY CARROLL, ANN COOLEY*, MELANIE GOERLITZ, ELIZABETH SOUSEK |
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DOGGIESMELISSA HARRES, KIA LEE*, CARISSA LOPEZ*, DENISE MOLNAR, KATIE RIBIS, KAREN WEBB, SARAH WIECHMAN |
INDIAN PRINCESSESANNE BLOEMENDAL, AMY CARROLL, MELANIE GOERLITZ, ELIZABETH SOUSEK |
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SISTERSANNE BLOEMENDAL, ANN COOLEY*, MELANIE GOERLITZ, KIA LEE*, CARISSA LOPEZ*, SARAH WICHMAN |
JEWELSANN COOLEY (Diamond #1)*, ELIZABETH SOUSEK (Ruby #1), DENISE MOLNAR (Sapphire #1), AMY CARROLL (Emerald #1), KATIE RIBIS (Topaz #1), KAREN WEBB (Pearl #1), KIA LEE (Diamond #2)*, MELANIE GOERLITZ (Ruby #2), SARAH WIECHMAN (Sapphire #2), ANNE BLOEMENDAL (Emerald #2), MELISSA HARRES (Topaz #2), CARISSA LOPEZ (Pearl #2)* |
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FAKE CAKERSKATIE RIBIS, KAREN WEBB, DENISE MOLNAR, CHARLES LOGAN*, WILLIAM JAMES DANIELS*, ERIK FLOOR |
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Who's Who
TOM ANGLAND (Will Rogers) Tom is honored to make his Gateway Playhouse debut in The Will Rodgers Follies. He has acted in regional theatres across the country and has toured nationally. After many years as a performer and songwriter in the world of folk and country music, Tom began acting professionally fifteen years ago in a production of Pump Boys and Dinettes. He portrayed Jim, the show's affable and laid back leading man, a role he would ultimately reprise to a total of five productions and counting. He is the only actor to have played this role on the stage of the "mother church of country music", Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. Other favorite roles include Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,Lord Evelyn Oakliegh in Anything Goes, Owen Musser in The Foreigner, Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard, Angelo in Measure for Measure, Kent in King Lear, Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing, and all seven male roles in the Elvis tribute, Idols of the King. Elsewhere in the world of "guitar theatre", Tom has portrayed Jimmie Rodgers in Jimmie Rodgers: America's Blue Yodeler, both Burl and Stanley in Smoke on the Mountain and A Sanders Family Christmas, and First Young Man in Woody Guthrie's American Song. For the past two years, Tom has been a member of the resident acting company at Barter Theatre, which is currently celebrating 75 years of glorious and improbable theatre in the beautiful hills of Southwest Virginia.
DANTE BALDASSIN (James Rogers) Dante Baldassin is thrilled to be back at The Gateway Playhouse where he was last seen as Oliver in Oliver! His other credits include: Sound of Music (Kurt), A Christmas Story (Randy), Bye Bye Birdie (Randolph), Free to Be You and Me (William), Peter Pan (John) and Silent Night, Lonely Night (Jerry). Dante is a 7th grade student at Prince of Peace Regional Catholic School. He actively participates in acting courses at the Gateway Playhouse and studies dance at South Shore Dance Studio. Dante thanks the casting crew at Gateway for their faith in him, Miss Penny for her understanding and his parents for their love and support.
JACQUELINE BAYNE (Ziegfeld’s Favorite) Broadway/National Tours: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Christine u/s), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), Some Like It Hot starring Tony Curtis (performed Sugar), and the original cast of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Regional: Cherry Jourdel in the new adaptation of Paint Your Wagon at Pioneer Theater, Amneris in Aida at ArtPark. Other regional: Goodspeed Opera, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theater, Pittsburgh Symphony. TV: Guiding Light. Jacqueline is a Northwestern University graduate. Love to family and Jason.
ANNE BLOEMENDAL (Ensemble) Anne is very excited to be returning to Gateway after touring Asia for the past eight months as Diane Lorrimer in 42nd Street. Before that, she was seen dancing for Jean Ann Ryan Productions on the Norwegian Jewel as well as in shows regionally across America, including Cabaret, Evita, A Chorus Line, Annie, and A Christmas Carol. She sends thanks to Robin and DJ and everyone at Gateway, much love to Mom and Dad, and all glory to Jesus! Enjoy the show.
AMY CARROLL (Ensemble) Amy, native of Cambridge, Ohio, recently graduated from Point Park University cum laude with a B.A. in Dance. She is thrilled to be dancing in this production, making her professional debut. Amy thanks her family and friends for their constant love and support!
ANN COOLEY (Ensemble, Dance Captain) Ann is thrilled to be back in Bellport working on her favorite show! Ms. Cooley has served in various capacities on numerous national tours and regional productions, including Will Rogers Follies, A Funny Thing Happened … Forum, Victor/Victoria, 42nd Street, The Producers, Guys and Dolls, Sugar, School House Rock, Nothing Like a Dame, Broadway Bares, Free to Be You and Me on the R Family Broadway Cruises and The Big Gay Sketch Show on the LOGO Network. Ann also enjoyed a 14-year career with the Radio City Rockettes as a line captain, associate, and choreographer. Some career highlights include receiving a standing ovation for her work at Carnegie Hall, performing with Hugh Jackman at the Tony’s, choreographing the Korean Tony Awards, and meeting her husband Rob on this very show …years ago! Thanks to DJ- The very best!
WILLIAM JAMES DANIELS (Ensemble) William James Daniels is making his Gateway debut. Regional credits include Hello Dolly at Arkansas Repertory, Urinetown at St. Louis Rep, Sweet Charity at Barrington Stage, A Chorus Line at Cohoes Music Hall, as well as A Christmas Carol and Much Ado About Nothing at Hartford Stage. National Tour: Crazy for You (Troika). Proud member of AEA.
DICK DECAREAU (Clem Rogers) Audiences at Gateway may remember Dick as Sir Osgood, the “naughty old man” in Sugar. Broadway credits include Raggedy Ann, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Off-Broadway Dick played Evans in Manhattan Theater Club’s production of Captain’s Courageous. Recent regional theater credits include Lord Brockhurst in The Boyfriend, at Riverside and Jupiter Theaters in Florida, Hopkins in 1776 and Baptista in Kiss Me, Kate at the Sacramento Music Circus, and Senator Phogbound in Li’l Abner at Goodspeed. He also played Wilbur in Hairspray in the regional theater premiere at The North Shore Music Theater (nominated for Best Supporting Actor by the Boston Critics). Dick has appeared as Cogworth in Beauty and the Beast in four productions. Dick has toured with Annie, Ragtime, and has played regional theaters all over the country. After playing Clem Rodgers here, Dick will be going directly to Sacramento to play Max in Sound of Music and Wilbur in Hairspray. A proud member of Actor’s Equity for over 25 years!
ERIK FLOOR (Ensemble, Will Rogers U/S) Erik is thankful to be back at Gateway! Favorite credits include Singing in the Rain (Don Lockwood), the premier of Crazy Love (Johnny Pride), Urban Cowboy (Gator, u/s Bud), Pal Joey (Joey Evans), Sugar (Joe/Josephine), Dames at Sea (Lucky), West Side Story (Arab), Medea (Jason), Hay Fever (Sandy Tyrell), and Jesus Christ Superstar. National Commercials: Target, Shoe Carnival. In association with the Entertainment Design Group out of Atlanta, GA, Erik has been featured in numerous industrials in Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, and Nevada. A native of Chicago, he holds a BA in Theatre from Millikin University .He would like to thank Gateway for their support as well as the amazing cast and crew that have made this experience possible. Also thanks to CTG, and his amazing family!!
MELANIE GOERLITZ (Ensemble, Betty Blake U/S) Melanie Goerlitz is just delighted to be joining the cast of Will Rogers Follies! A Carnegie Mellon graduate, she was most recently seen performing as the lead singer in Swing! with the Prather’s Entertainment Group. Her favorite credits include Val in A Chorus Line, Queen of Eldorado in Candide, and Fantine in Les Miserables. She loves anything Italian and has spent the last two summers studying and performing in Italy. She would like to thank her loving family and friends.
MELISSA HARRES (Ensemble) Gateway Playhouse debut! National tours: 42nd Street (Phyllis, performed Anytime Annie), Crazy for You. Regional: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Singin’ in the Rain (Carousel Dinner Theatre), Crazy for You (dir. Kirby Ward, choreo. Eileen Grace), Singin’ in the Rain (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse), 42nd Street, Funny Girl, Damn Yankees (St. Louis MUNY). Graduate of Millikin University. Love to family and friends! www.BroadwayConnection.net
RYAN M. KOERBER (Freddy Rogers) is proud to be part of this wonderful production! Ryan is no stranger to the Gateway stage! The Gateway Playhouse past credits include Carousel, Holiday Spectacular (2003, 2005), Evita, Aida, Oliver, & A Christmas Carol. Ryan has also been in Gateway's Children's Theater productions of Willy Wonka & Cinderella. Special thanks to Robin, Michael, and DJ for believing in me!
KIA LEE (Ensemble) Kia Lee is ecstatic to make her Gateway debut in Will Rodgers Follies! Favorite credits include The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Aida (Nehebka), Kiss Me, Kate, Hello, Dolly!, Footloose (Wendy-Jo)andthe regional premiere of Les Misèrables (Music Circus). She would like to thank all of her friends and family for their undying love and support! And a very special thank you to Stephen Harding. This one is for you mom!
CHARLES LOGAN (Ensemble) Charles is very excited to be joining the Gateway family. He was recently seen playing his first lead as Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl (Forestburgh Playhouse), after traveling across the country with ABC’s Dancing With the Stars Road Trip, and doing the mambo with All My Children’s Bobbi Eakes on the Rachel Ray Show. Other credits include Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars, Julie Taymor’s Grendel (Lincoln Center/LA Opera), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Tour), A Kiss from Alexander (GayFestNYC), Edie’s Legs! (Off-Broadway), Jo Polniaczek in The Facts of Life: The Lost Episode (Kraine Theater) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (F.I. Pines Playhouse).
CARISSA LOPEZ (Ensemble, Ziegfeld’s Favorite U/S) Carissa has performed as a Radio City Rockette since 1998 in and outside of New York City. She has been featured in such shows as the international touring cast of Fosse, and the Equity National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Some of her favorite roles include June in Chicago, Young Emily in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, and Consuelo in West Side Story. Carissa is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.
DENISE MOLNAR (Ensemble) Denise Molnar received her BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Originally from New Jersey, Denise has traveled the world as a dancer, dance captain, and stager aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines as part of the Jean Ann Ryan Company. She has appeared regionally in many musicals including Anything Goes and New Girl in Town. Denise has also had the pleasure to perform as a first company member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. She is thrilled to be part of this production! Thanks to Bob for pushing me. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Christine for everything.
MARY MOSSBERG (Betty Blake) Just recently having returned from the national tour of Mamma Mia!, Mary is so happy to be making her Gateway Playhouse debut in the Will Roger’s Follies. New York credits include: Chess (Svetlana) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Edwin Drood) OOBR Award recipient at Gallery Players; and Caligula: An Ancient Glam Epic (NYMF Best in Show Award). Regional credits include: Children of Eden and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at Flat Rock Playhouse (NC), The Baker’s Wife at Paper Mill Playhouse (NJ), Aspects of Love at Media Theatre (PA), A Wonderful Life and Nunsense at TN Repertory Theatre. Love to Maude Kaplan and Kimberly Vaughn and my wonderful family. Proud member of Actors' Equity.
KAELA R. MURPHY (Mary Rogers) No stranger to the “Big Stage,” Kaela has been performing since the age of 5. As a competitive dancer, Kaela has showcased her skills at such venues as Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. She has performed lead roles in several amateur theater productions, including Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella, as well as the ballet performance The Nutcracker. Kaela’s passion for the stage attracted her to Gateway Acting School 3 years ago. Kaela credits her parents, and especially thanks Robin and Michael for this incredible opportunity.
JERMAINE R. REMBERT (Ensemble) Broadway Credits Include: La Cage Aux Folles, Oklahoma, Swing (Broadway and 1st Nat’l Tour), On the Twentieth Century, and Funny Girl. Other Credits Include: Camelot (Lincoln Center w/ Philharmonic), All Shook Up (Tour), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (NYC), West Side Story (European Tour). Proud Member of Actors’ Equity.
KATIE RIBIS (Ensemble) As a Long Islander, Katie is excited to be making her debut at Gateway. She has most recently performed at the Atlantic City Tropicana in 42nd Streetand at the Taj Mahal’s New Years Eve Show. Her credits include White Christmas, My Fair Lady, Cinderella, Crazy for You, Leader of the Pack, and the TDF/Astaire Awards. Katie holds a BA in Dance from Point Park, where she was also a Pittsburgh Steelers Style Dancer. She is a frequent instructor at various Long Island dance schools and is a Radio City Rockette Assistant. Love and thanks to her family, friends, and RJ, and a huge and special thank you to DJ!
SAM ADAM SELEZNOW (Will Rogers Jr.) Sam began in theater at the tender age of four years old. His favorite roles include Tom in Camelot, the Velveteen Rabbit in the show of the same name, and of course Mike T-Vee in Gateway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He would like to thank Michael Baker, his director, DJ Salisbury, and stage manager, Dom Ruggiero, and Patty for their support and encouragement.
ELIZABETH SOUSEK (Ensemble) Elizabeth Sousek grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota and moved to New York City in 2002 to attend Marymount Manhattan College and pursue a career in dance. While attending school, Elizabeth joined the Radio City Rockettes and has performed in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in cities throughout the US for the last three years, while concurrently earning her BFA in Dance with a minor in International Studies. The Will Rogers Follies is her first production at Gateway Playhouse. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support.
KAREN WEBB (Ensemble) Karen is thrilled to be making her Gateway Playhouse debut in The Will Rogers Follies! She recently relocated to Manhattan after playing Susan Hershey in The Full Monty at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre in Hudson, FL. Other recent credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Babette/Dance Captain), Chicago (Annie), Cabaret (Lulu/Dance Captain), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ruth/Dance Captain), Gypsy (Mazeppa/Dance Captain), Singin’ in the Rain (Zelda Zanders/Assistant to Choreographer/Dance Captain), South Pacific (Ensemble), and The Fantasticks (Mute/Dance Captain). Karen would like to thank her family, friends, educators, and Vincent for continual love and support. This one’s for you Ms. Pam!
SARAH WIECHMAN (Ensemble) Sarah Wiechman, from Wichita, Kansas, is thrilled to be making her Gateway debut in Will Rogers Follies! She has been seen most recently kicking up her heels as a Rockette in the west coast productions of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Further credits include, Don Arden’s Jubilee!, Sweet Charity (Nickie), 42nd Street (Lorraine), Jerry Springer the Opera , A Chorus Line (Diana), Cabaret (Frenchy), Ragtime, Oklahoma (Dance Capt.), and many others. Thanks to my family and friends for their constant love and support. Namaste.
PAUL ALLAN (Producer) has been involved in theatre since before he can remember. In the early days of Gateway, he spent his summers following around his grandfather who had his hands full trying to make ends meet - running a theatre in the 60’s. Paul grew up here, looking forward to each summer and being able to do more each year. By the time he was a teenager he was beginning to take charge of maintaining this 7 acre complex as well as becoming an integral part of the back stage crew. In the 80’s as a young Gateway producer, Paul spent part of the winter months working in NY on many off-Broadway shows - serving as technical supervisor, production manager, and/or show carpenter. At the same time he co-founded a touring company whose shows traveled throughout the US and other countries worldwide. The set rental company was also founded at this time and Gateway scenery is constantly being trucked to various theatres across the country. The main focus, though, is still the productions he produces here for our patrons.
DJ SALISBURY (Director) DJ has worked nationwide for theaters that include Papermill Playhouse, ArtsCenter of Coastal Carolina, West Virginia Public, Dallas Summer Musicals, TOTS-Atlanta, Sacramento Music Circus and Riverside Theatre Florida. Among his favorite experiences as Director-Choreographer: Man of La Mancha, Into The Woods, The Wizard of Oz (Gateway) La Cage Aux Folles (Gateway), The Full Monty, Evita (Gateway), Ragtime, The Century of Christmas (Gateway) and the NYC workshop of the newly revised The Mystery of Edwin Drood (starring Sally Struthers). Choreographic fun: Paint Your Wagon, A Funny Thing …Forum, Hello, Dolly!, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” Road Trip (and the Rachael Ray Show “Soap Star Dance Off”) and a new version of Cats (Gateway)to name a few. Since acting as Dance Assistant for Tommy Tune and Jeff Calhoun on The Will Rogers Follies, and for Lynn Taylor-Corbett on Titanic, DJ has endeavored to focus on the development of new works. Some of the new musicals he’s helped bring to the stage (wearing this or that hat) include Off-Broadway’s Zombie Prom, Long Road Home, Femme Fatale (starring Sara Ramirez of Grey’s Anatomy), Super Chix, Harold and Maude (staring Estelle Parsons), I Love a Piano, and a peck of projects as mentor/dramaturg. Conversation starter credits: dance captain and swing for The Wizard of Oz (starring Roseanne Barr); book and lyrics for The Man Who Would Be King with composer Neil Berg (Off-Broadway’s The Prince and the Pauper); head writer for the 2007 Oklahoma state Centennial TV special featuring Reba McIntyre, Vince Gill, and Harry Connick, JR. His specialty lyrics for corporate industrials have made Sherwin Williams paint scintillating, Suzuki outboard motors sexy, and Rite Aid Drugstores a laugh riot. He considers The Will Rogers Follies a dear old friend...this is his eighth production! Thanks to Lisa and to Ann, lifelong friends made doing the show.
WILLIAM FOSTER MCDANIEL (Music Director) Mr. McDaniel returns to Gateway Playhouse having previously served here as Musical Director for Once On This Island, Ain't Misbehavin', Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly, Guys and Dolls, Showboat, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,and Smokey Joe’s Café. Mr. McDaniel began his career in musical theatre as pianist-conductor of off-Broadway's long-running show, The Fantasticks. Other conducting credits include Timbuktu, Bubbling Brown Sugar, House Of Flowers, Big River, Dreamgirls, Damn Yankees, Storyville, Dinah Was, A Wonderful Life, Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar Grill, Always...Patsy Cline, Cooking At The Cookery, Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Sophisticated Ladies and most recently The Women Of Brewster Place. Mr. McDaniel's own compositions have received performances by the Philharmonia Greensboro, the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, The Bergen Philharmonic, the Mozart Society Orchestra at Harvard, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Mr. McDaniel is a graduate of Capital University and Boston University, and was a Fulbright Scholar in Paris, France.
LISA MANDEL (Assistant Choreographer) Lisa is a native Nevadan & University of Arizona graduate (BSBA-MKTG). Gateway’s The Wizard of Oz (Asst. to Mr. Salisbury). Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard and The Producers (Ulla U/S). First National tours of The Will Rogers Follies, Applause, Copacabana and Mamma Mia! (Tanya). Member of Actors’ Equity.
ROBIN JOY ALLAN (Casting and Artistic Director) has been the Casting Director at Gateway for the last thirteen years. Five years ago, she became the Artistic Director at Gateway. Prior to moving back home into the wonderland setting of her childhood, she did thrive in Corporate America, spending five years in Los Angeles, casting several TV pilots, MOW’s and feature films. You’ll find her name on the feature films; Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally, Lord of the Flies, Side Out and Ghost. Along with her Artistic and Casting Director duties, she is the force behind Gateway’s Acting School Division, where she teaches the advanced classes. This is her most impassioned work. Her daughter Hayley, inspires her every day. She hopes her effort is good enough to honor her family, and their amazing effort all these years to bring theatre with integrity to Long Island.
MARCIA MADEIRA (Lighting Designer) is pleased to design her 21st production for Gateway Playhouse. Her favorites are: Sugar, 42nd Street, On the Town, Swing, Jesus Christ Superstar, Forbidden Broadway, West Side Story, The Will Rogers Follies, and The Wizard of Oz. Recently she designed her fourth ice show for Royal Caribbean Freedom Ice.com for the new largest cruise ship in the world Freedom of the Seas and Guys and Dolls directed and choreographed by Daniel Pelzig at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, in Florida. She received a Tony nomination and won the Drama Desk Award for Nine directed by Tommy Tune with Raul Julia. Other Broadway designs include My One and Only with Tommy Tune and Twiggy; Marilyn, An American Fable with Allison Reed and Scott Bakula; and The Music Man with Dick van Dyke. Off-Broadway designs include: Side by Side by Sondheim at the Dicapo Opera Theatre; Cloud 9 directed by Tommy Tune; Privates On Parade with Jim Dale and Simon Jones directed by Larry Carpenter, choreography by Daniel Pelzig; and The Transposed Heads at Lincoln Center, written and directed by Julie Taymor.
DOM RUGGIERO (Production Stage Manager) Dom Ruggiero, a member of Actors Equity, has been stage managing for the past 27 years. Broadway PSM credits include The Gathering starring Hal Linden, Borscht Belt on Broadway starring Bruce Adler and Mal Z. Lawrence, and Ain’t That a Kick in the Head – the Music of Sammy Cahn directed by Chet Walker. 1st National Tours include: The Cole Porter Songbook starring Melba Moore, The Irving Berlin Songbook starring Carole Lawrence, Greetings! Shalom Aleichem Lives starring Judy Kaye, Bruce Adler and Theo Bikel. Dom has stage managed across the US, Europe, South America and Australia with Aint’ Misbehavin, Phantom, Anything Goes, and Song & Dance among many others. He is no stranger to the Gateway Playhouse, having begun his involvement 20 years ago with his production of Little Shop of Horrors, which he also directed. Dom has directed numerous shows for Gateway, most notably the 3 productions of Phantom, Tommy, Cabaret, and Once on This Island. Dom will be directing the upcoming Gateway Playhouse production of Beauty and the Beast at the Patchogue Theater.
