"Crossing Delancey"
June 2005
The Minstrel Players *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Minstrel Players Announce Summer 2005 Production
The Minstrel Players Theatre Company of Northport, Long Island's most exciting theatrical group, prepares for their first summer production at the newly "Central Air Conditioned" Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main Street in scenic Northport Village. They will be staging Susan Sandler's modern romantic-comedy, "Crossing Delancey". Performances will take place Saturdays, August 13th and 20th at 8 P.M. and Sundays, August 14th and 21st at 3 P.M.
The Minstrel Players are fresh off their critically acclaimed staging of "An Inspector Calls" seen here in June. "Crossing Delancey" marks the directorial debut of one of the group's founders, Debbie Palen. The cast features Minstrel regulars: Ray Palen (Sam "The Pickle-Man" Posner), Karen Ottomano (Bubbie) and Nick Santasier (Tyler Moss) performing along-side first-time Minstrels - Jennifer Manvich (Izzy) and Sonia Usatch (Hannah the Matchmaker). Susan Sandler's romantic-comedy, "Crossing Delancey" has been a New York stage favorite since it debuted on Broadway in 1985. Many fans will fondly recall the classic film adaptation of 1988 that starred Amy Irving and Peter Reigert. The story involves the struggle of modern, independent, single Isabelle Grossman - who juggles a job at a posh NYC bookstore and longs to be among the literary elite. At the same time, her only local family - in the presence of her "Bubbie"/Grandmother - is constantly intervening in her life by reminding her of her heritage and attempting to get her married off to a nice young man. Enter Bubbie's friend - Hannah the Matchmaker - and a parade of suitors for Isabelle's hand will inevitably follow. One suitor, Sam "The Pickle-Man of Delancey Street" Posner, may be the perfect match - but Izzy must decide whether she wants to settle down with the perfect guy (and please her Bubbie) or continue to social-climb among the literary elite and gain the attention of snobby, local-writer - Tyler Moss. What transpires provides some of the most poignant and witty romantic comedy ever seen on stage -proving to be both hysterical and heartbreaking at the same time.
The Minstrel Players are committed to bringing "World Class", affordable theater to the Long Island Region - a claim that no "professional" theatre anywhere in the area can match. Tickets are $14.00 each and $12.00 for Seniors. Opening Night special features all seats at $10 each. For more information please call (800)260-2390 or (631)754-4246. You may also visit the Minstrel Player's official website at www.minstrelplayers.org . Hope to see you at the show!
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July 2005
August 2005
Posted on Deb's
Web
ONE PERSON'S (RE)VIEW
From D. Joseph Gleason
The Minstrel Players have done it!! They have put on the
delightfully wonderful romantic comedy "Crossing Delancey."
From the opening scene with Isabelle and Bubbie to the
closing bows, the show takes on a joyous momentum of its
own. The cast is right on in the delivery and the atmosphere
is authentic. The interactions between Bubbie (Karen Ottomano)
and Izzy (Jennifer Manvich) made me feel like I was a fly
on their wall, they were not actors but acted like they
were truly related. Hannah (Sonia Usatch ) the matchmaker
was very convincing in her job, and if I were looking for
a spouse I might engage her services. The Pickleman (Ray
Palen) was very mild mannered but he knew what he wanted,
meanwhile Tyler Moss (Nick Santasier) played the snooty
writer, taking Izzy on a confusing dream until she later
learned his real motives I had the opportunity to hear
and learn more Yiddish in on show than in my entire life.
There was even a list of the Yiddish expressions in the back
of the Playbill. This is the last weekend of the show and
it is a pleasant must see for all.
