BELLPORT-NY.COM

Just a brief announcement for those who have not noticed already, BellportFootball.Com has begun reconstructing the old site. While it is still not complete as of yet, it looks like they are doing a great job with it. Their are updated schedules, scores and stats as well as upcoming sections for news, blogs and videos. The site is a little bare right now, but the direction they are headed looks good.

I really can’t wait to see how it turns out. I’m looking forward to more content being added. We wanted to cover Bellport Football here a bit more but time constraints have kept us from doing as much as we would have liked. But now we don’t have to. So go check it out and see whats new. We are all Clippers fans here as well so you can be sure we will let you know when the site is complete and has some more content.

YOUNG TELEVISION STARLET TAKES HER FINAL BOW ON THE GATEWAY CHILDREN?S STAGE, WHERE SHE GOT HER START

Gateway 60th Season Celebration continues with the long-standing classic – The Wizard of Oz.

(Bellport, NY) Gateway Children’s Theater welcomes a long time student and television actress, Teresa Celentano to its roster of young talent in The Wizard of Oz, opening Friday, August 7th, and running through to Saturday, August 22nd, at Gateway Playhouse in Bellport.

Gateway Children’s Theater is a way for children, many of whom study year round and for many seasons at Gateway’s Acting School Division, to perform in a professional environment. Teresa Celentano who will be playing the coveted role of ?Dorothy?, started her theatrical journey following in her brother and sister’s footsteps taking acting classes and auditioning for young roles on Gateway’s Main Stage and in the Children’s Theater. Explains Teresa, “My older brother and sister did a lot of the Main Stage Shows, and I remember seeing the shows and wanting to be in them so bad. I begged my mom, if I kept playing the violin that she would let me audition for a production of Here’s Love, and she did! So, right away I started practicing, so she would let me audition.” When asked if she still played the violin, she replied with a smile, “No, I dropped that a long time ago.”

Here’s Love was Teresa’s first Main Stage show at Gateway from which she went on to perform in South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof and as ?Baby Louise? in Gypsy. The lovely brunette actress won the role of ?Lydia?, playing the daughter of Elizabeth McGovern on the ABC Family Series, ?Three Moons Over Milford? which aired in 2006-7. It was a lucky break that resulted from many years of training, her own passion and desire, and, recalls Robin Joy Allan, her teacher and Gateway’s casting director, a tremendous amount of talent. “Teresa, very much like her older brother James, has something very special. When she performs, it is hard to look elsewhere.”

Teresa was enrolled in the advanced classes at Gateway in 2005 when Robin began Gateway’s Showcase program, where competitive students are given a chance to perform for agents and casting directors in Manhattan. It was from this program, that Teresa was able to land an agent and begin her auditioning which eventually led to the series. “I coached for the role of Lydia with Robin, it was for my third callback. She tuned and polished everything,” Teresa remembers. Robin recalls, “Teresa was already on the right path, she had the callback and we had already read the scene in class, and I knew she was right for it, and actually she was doing pretty well on her own, but there were just a couple of things missing, things that I knew she needed to think about.? We asked Teresa what it was like to move to Canada and work full time on a TV show at a young age. Our reply from Ms. Celentano: “It was really exciting, it was my dream basically. But, it wasn?t that challenging because I was so excited, I had so much energy, and I felt really prepared from Gateway? I knew everything that I needed to know.? Teresa has also appeared in high profile National Commercials, her last one still running, for BING.COM, in which she asks her dad if he?s found her a new cell phone.

For this production of The Wizard of Oz, she?s working with a lot of other students who she?s worked with at the Gateway Acting School since she was 9 years old. Now, at 18, they?re moving on and taking their next steps in life. ?It?s really scary, but when we think about it, it is like a goodbye. I?m just trying to enjoy it, and try not think about that.?

When asked about the role of ?Dorothy?, and her approach, she replied, ?Basically it?s just a girl who doesn?t realize what she has until it?s gone. I think everyone can sort of relate to that a little bit. It?s about her journey home and, learning to love what she has.?

After The Wizard of Oz, Teresa will pursue theatre when she attends Pace University in New York, and will continue auditioning for her next TV or Film project.

The Wizard of Oz opens on the Bellport stage, Friday, August 7th with performances through Saturday, August 22.

EPIC PRODUCTION OF MISS SAIGON SEEKS CHILD – GATEWAY PLAYHOUSE
Seeking – One Asian or Eurasian child who must look 4 years old and not be afraid of large crowds, fake helicopters and tumultuous applause.  Also must be able to withstand blaring lights and blazing heat as Gateway Playhouse turns it up for the encore performances of its groundbreaking production of Miss Saigon.

Korean pop star Sojung Lee, known to American audiences as Alex Lee Tano, is flying across the continents to reprise her Broadway and National Tour performances of the role of Kim, in the Gateway production on the Patchogue stage July 8-25th. All the show needs is the right child. In my mind there was just no other ‘Kim’, said Robin Joy Allan, Gateways casting and artistic director.

She played the role for our spectacular production in 2003. Ms. Allan said Ms. Tano was quintessential to the part of Kim in Gateways reissuing of the tragic tale of lost love and struggle for survival in a war torn land. But Ms. Tano, who was also the voice in the Korean version of Disney’s Mulan, initially turned down the part of Kim, her representatives at SONY records noting she was booked with stadium sized concerts throughout the month of July and could not make the Gateway show.

However, the recent turmoil in her native homeland, caused by missile tests and nuclear threats by North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-il, shut down Ms. Tanos performance schedule, and freed her up to do the show for Gateway.We’re just thrilled to have gotten her back,?Gateway producer Paul Allan said, Alex has the ability to lift you out of the theater and transport you to Vietnam in the 1970’s. Her performance makes you forget you are sitting in a theater.

Based loosely on Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, the pop-opera tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover. Set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, Miss Saigon is an epic love story about the relationship between an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman. The sweeping, impassioned score includes, “Why God, Why,” “Sun and Moon,” “The Last Night of the World,” “I Still Believe,” “I’d Give My Life for You” and “The American Dream.” Raul Aranas also returns as the “Engineer. Mr. Aranas starred as the Engineer at Gateway in 2003, and the first national tour of Miss Saigon. The seasoned Broadway actor starred recently in the world premiere of the musical Giant at the Signature Theater.

The show also features Mary Mossberg playing “Ellen” and Allen D. Hong, playing “Thuy.”  Ms. Mossberg has performed in the second national tour of Mamma Mia and in the Will Rogers Follies role of “Betty Blake Rogers” at Gateway Playhouse. Mr. Hong originated the role of “Thuy” for the first national tour of Miss Saigon and played the role for three years.

Gateway Playhouse is on the lookout for an Asian child male or female to play the part of  Tam Ms. Allan noted that the part is not a speaking or singing role, and that the candidate simply has to look like a 4-year-old Asian or Eurasian child. Also required of the young thespian are a strong stage presence, discipline, and availability to deal with rigorous rehearsal and performance schedules.Ms. Allan noted that the child actor would not have to attend all rehearsals, but would have to show up for every performance.

Rehearsals for Miss Saigon began on June 23 and will be held at Gateways main production studios in Bellport.  Miss Saigon opens at The Patchogue Theatre on Wednesday, July 8 with performances through Saturday, July 25.
Anyone interested in having his or her child audition for Miss Saigon should visit www.gatewayplayhouse.com for the complete Miss Saigon performance schedule and then set up an audition by calling 286-0555, ext. 2123 or sending an e-mail to artsoffice@gatewayplayhouse.com.
Gateway Playhouse ? Broadway caliber entertainment at an affordable price.
www.gatewayplayhouse.com For Tickets (631) 286-1133 or 1-888-4TIXNOW

The following is a recent press release from The Gateway Playhouse:

Gateway Playhouse, the “foremost summer professional regional theatre”
(Newsweek), announces its 60th anniversary season celebrating some of
Broadway’s biggest Tony Award winning hits:

Miss Saigon, A Chorus Line, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,
Sophisticated Ladies and Meshuggah-Nuns.  Special anniversary subscription
rate of $175.00 for all six shows (includes discount coupons for over $250
at local restaurants and shops.)  That’s less than $30 per show, and you can
eat and shop for something special.on us this year.  Gateway says “Happy
60th” to our past and future subscribers.   www.gatewayplayhouse.com
Box office: 631-286-1133 or
1-888-4TIXNOW.

The first production of the 2009 season of diverse offerings is the
Tony-Award winning Duke Ellington musical: Sophisticated Ladies with its
treasure trove of big-band hits such as “Take the “A” Train”, “It Don’t Mean
A Thing”, “Satin Doll”, and the haunting “In A Sentimental Mood.”  Come and
re-live the Speak Easy era of the Cotton Club, Harlem Renaissance, and high
society in this show stopping jazz, blues and big band boogie. Directed by
the Broadway veteran and creator of “Fosse”, Chet Walker.  May 27-June 13 at
the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, LI.

Next, those hilarious Little Sisters of Hoboken are at it again!  This time
on the “Faiths of All Nations” Cruise, our favorite nuns entertain us in
ecumenical style with their fun-fest musical, Meshuggah-Nuns! From the
creator of the Nunsense Series, Dan Goggin comes hilarity on the high seas
with songs like “Say It In Yiddish”, “If I Were Catholic,” and
“Fiddlerspiel.”  You don’t have to be Catholic or Jewish. It’s a show for
anyone who loves a good laugh!   June 17-July 5 in Bellport.

Gateway’s third production of the 2009 season is the return of its highest
praised and most requested show, Miss Saigon.  The critically acclaimed
Tony-nominated musical by Claude-Michael Schonberg and Alain Boubil is one
of Broadway’s longest running hits. This modern adaptation of Puccini’s
Madama Butterfly, set in 1960’s Vietnam explodes on stage with an
astonishing backdrop, a breathtaking contemporary score, and even a
helicopter that actually lands on the Patchogue stage. It’s one powerful
musical for our time.  July 8-25 at the Patchogue Theatre.

Gateway’s fourth production is the Long Island premiere of the winner of the
most 2006 Tony Awards, The Drowsy Chaperone.  This “musical within a comedy”
with tons of laughs, all begins when a die-hard musical theatre fan plays
his favorite cast album of the 1928 smash hit “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and
the show magically bursts to life. We are instantly immersed in the
glamorous, hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding
day, complete with thrills and surprises that take both the cast (literally)
and the audience (metaphorically) soaring to the rafters.  July 29-August 22
in Bellport.

The fifth production of the 2009 season is another LI premiere of the 11
time Tony-nominated musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, based on the 1988 Steve
Martin/Michael Caine film of the same title.  Set on the glorious, glamorous
Riviera, this is a delicious comedy that follows two con artists as they
take on the lifestyles of the rich and shameless – and end up with a lot
more than they bargain for.   This brash but old-fashioned crowd pleaser had
the New York Times raving: “One of the liveliest, funniest, best-performed
musicals in years!”  August 26 – September 12 at the Patchogue Theatre.

The closing production for 2009 summer season will be the 9 time Tony award
and 1976 Pulitzer Prize winner, A Chorus Line. This musical revolutionized
the way audiences viewed Musical Theatre and changed Broadway forever. Come
to experience the journey of dancers as they struggle to live their dreams.
It’s “one singular sensation” with music by the acclaimed Marvin Hamlisch
and the unmistakably brilliant conception of Michael Bennett.  With all
original choreography, a Broadway caliber cast and director, A Chorus Line
culminates the 60th anniversary season in true Gateway style. September 16 -
October 11 in Bellport.

Gateway Playhouse in Bellport is nestled in the quiet country surroundings
off the south shore of Long Island.  Theatre-goers can relax before a show
in the patio gardens while enjoying snacks, beverages and cocktails from the
bar.   Memorabilia and displays of the past 60 years are on exhibit in the
theatre’s historic lobby still connected to the original barn theatre.
Centrally located between NYC and Montauk, the playhouse is the perfect
respite for summer entertainment presented by Broadway professionals.   With
Gateway’s 60th anniversary season, theatre-goers experience the best of
theatre at affordable prices in their own backyard.

Here is a nice little Bellport Football slide show I dug up from 07. This one is set to music and has some really great photos of our Clippers. I am looking for some more recent photos and videos to post up, so if you have some or know where to find them please let us know so we can share them here. In the meantime, all of you Bellport Football fans out there, have a look at the slide show, see if you recognize anyone and leave a comment to let us know what you think. Enjoy…