New York actors have been riding the rails to Westchester lately, with good reason. Executive director Jack Batman's new productions at the White Plains Performing Arts Center have drawn good buzz, and hopes are that a permanent repertory company is waiting in the wings!
Robert Cuccioli ("Jekyll & Hyde") gave a memorable performance in an overall excellent production of "Man of La Mancha" in December. Cuccioli's girlfriend Laila Robins, pale and ethereally beautiful, was there to support him, sitting orchestra center on opening night. Luke Yankee, son of the late, great actress Eileen Heckart, directed the show.
Composer Stephen Flaherty showed up on opening night for the concert version of "Ragtime" in February which featured a stirring Jerry Dixon ("Five Guys Named Moe") as Coalhouse Walker Jr. Dixon switched to the director's chair in March for "Ain't Misbehavin'," the supremely sassy Fats Waller musical revue. The crown jewel in a stellar cast was Anastacia McCleskey ("Tarzan"), who knocked everyone's socks off with powerful vocals and stage presence.
Dixon's partner Mario Cantone ("Sex and the City" and Broadway's "Laugh Whore") was there on several nights with a coterie of pals to cheer on his man.
Coming up April 24 at the White Plains Performing Arts Center is "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
Wonder who'll be reverse commuting on Metro North for that?
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