Shira Kline, left, and Sonia Manzano (Maria from "Sesame Street)
By Dianne Matus
The Huntington Summer Arts Festival begins its sixth week tonight, and Friday's feature is a special night of literature in performance from Symphony Space, celebrating the short story “Pets!”. The performance is a stage adaptation of the popular NPR show “Selected Shorts”.
Tuesday: Shira Kline Family Concert
Shira Kline uses music and dance to awaken the audience to the beauty of the world around us, as seen through Jewish eyes. For the past 14 years, she has worked with national organizations, synagogues, museums, Jewish Community Centers, families, students and theater companies as a musician, educator and performer.
Wednesday: Huntington Community Band Classical
Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for our fourth stop on the around the world tour of great music. Tonight’s music features rousing music from such countries as: Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Special guest conductor and HCB Music Director Laureate Robert V. Domencetti returns to share the podium. Also, very special guests the Long Island Tuba Quartet will return to perform.
Thursday: Township Theatre Group, “Over the River and Through the Woods”
Comedy abounds when a young executive from New Jersey is offered his dream job in Seattle. Moving across country does not sit well with his four Italian-American grandparents who fill their Sunday dinner get-togethers with unsolicited advice, matchmaking and unending food in an effort to keep their grandson around.
Friday: Symphony Space, “Selected Shorts”
A unique night of literature in performance! A selection of stories from Symphony Space's new Selected Shorts CD "Pets!" It includes: T.C. Boyle's "Heart of a Champion" read by Isaiah Sheffer, a hilarious Lassie send-up in the style of a film treatment; Gail Godwin's "St. George" read by Bernadette Quigley, the dilemma of a medieval scholar confronted by a living dragon. Also, Ana Menendez' "Story of a Parrot," read by Sonia Manzano (Maria from "Sesame Street), in which a beautiful bird makes a woman reflect on her marriage.
Saturday: Aquila Theatre, Catch 22
With precision, sensitivity and unity, The Aquila Theatre Company articulates the human essence inherent in classical drama. Combining the techniques of British and American theatre and following a philosophy of theatrical utilitarianism, Aquila believes that the greatest works should be seen by the greatest number. They will perform Joseph Heller’s stage adaptation of his novel Catch-22 at the Chapin Rainbow Stage. Aquila is a New York-based company of British and American artists dedicated to classical drama. PG-13 recommended.
Sunday: Island Hills Chorus
This award-winning chapter of the Sweet Adelines International brings together a 65-voice woman’s barbershop ensemble for an evening of vibrant musical entertainment. The Island Hills Chorus will perform both quartets and full chorale pieces that are sure to delight audiences.
The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is presented by the Town of Huntington, produced by the Huntington Arts Council and sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs. The festival runs June 20 through August 17. Performances are free and open to the public at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. Bring a blanket or beach chair. All performances begin at 8:30 p.m., except the Tuesday Night Arrow Electronics “It’s Showtime” Family Series performances, which start at 7:30 p.m. For directions or more information, call the Festival Hotline at 631-271-8423 ext. 5, visit huntingtonarts.org, or stop by the Huntington Arts Council, located at 213 Main Street in Huntington Village, for a free copy of the Summer 2008 Arts Cultural News. Bring an umbrella: no rain dates except Tuesday Family nights; call Severe Weather Extension 631-271-8423 ext. 4 if in doubt about Tuesday performances only.
Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.