L-R:
Amanda Cohen, Jim Parise, Clare Parrella-Curran and Jason Glass.
Phone: 631-748-7863
Address: PO Box 452, Bellport, NY 11713
President: John Hannon
Vice President: Kathy Loizides
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.
Past Performances
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.