Yo yo yo! Meet Darnell, who plays Graffiti Pete in In The Heights!

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Yo yo yo! Meet Darnell, who plays Graffiti Pete in In The Heights!

1. What are some of your favorite roles you've played?

“My favorite role to play is Seaweed from Hairspray. His character's life is really similar to mine and I always have the greatest time rehearsing and performing the show! Other favorites are Graffiti Pete from In The Heights, Hud from Hair, and Tom Collins from Rent!”

2. What theatre/acting/dance/etc. training do you have?

“With the exception of CAP, when I was younger I attended Gloria Eve Performing Arts Foundation Inc. and became a member, and eventual captain, of the West Babylon dance team. Other than taking acting/writing plays courses in college, most of the "training" I received came more from my outside experiences. These include performing in High School, forming a dance crew briefly, choreographing, and even being a part of an acapella group.”

3. What does the role mean to you?

“Graffiti Pete to me is a role many people can relate to, including myself. Usnavi assumes he's simply a trouble-making vandal when we come to find out he's actually an extremely talented artist trying to make a living that enjoys music and loves to dance! No one truly knows what goes on in a person's life or what talents they may have until you get to know them and see what they are capable of. And then you might find out something that could even change your life. I love being Graffiti Pete. He is always so open, so passionate, and so free!”

“Joining CAP was one of the best decisions of my life. After HS, I served 5 years in the Army before being discharged medically and then I was asked to audition for Seaweed at CAP once I was out by a friend who was playing Tracy. Ever since then, I periodically auditioned for more CAP shows and enjoyed every one. The thing I enjoy the most out of everything theatre related is the amount of friendships I've made! Some I would call brothers/sisters. Others I would even call my booooooyyyss!”

          Come see Darnell and the rest of the talented cast of In The Heights- running July 8th through July 31st. Tickets are available for every performance starting at $20 if purchased before Friday performances, or $25 if purchased at the door. Box office opens one hour prior to every performance. Call (516)-694-3330 or visit our website www.culturalartsplayhouse.com for additional information.

Tommy Can You Hear Me?! Tommy Opens at CAP!

    Tommy opens at the Cultural Arts Playhouse!

    Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing, and the human spirit. The story of the pinball-playing, deaf, dumb and blind boy who triumphs over his adversities has inspired, amazed, and puzzled audiences for more than 40 years. This five-time Tony Award-winning musical was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard Des McAnuff into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event.

    After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother's lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he's discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.

    The Who's Tommy features an exhilarating score that is timeless in its youthful appeal, and features a powerful rock band orchestration.

    Tommy runs August 5th through August 31st. Tickets are available for every performance starting at $20 if purchased before Friday performances, or $25 if purchased at the door. Box office opens one hour prior to every performance. Call (516)-694-3330 or visit our website www.culturalartsplayhouse.com for additional information.

Meet Steffy, who plays Carla in In The Heights!

Meet Steffy, who plays Carla in In The Heights!

What are some of your favorite roles you've played?

“I never get tired of Hairspray. I've even been Lil Inez 4 times in 1 year. Carla and Vanessa from In the Heights will always be a favorite for me also.”

What theatre/acting/dance/etc. training do you have?

“I've been a member of Valley Stream's summer drama program and performing arts program from 8-12th grade. I have a bachelor's degree in Music/Vocal Performance from Adelphi University (Class of ’13)"

What does the role mean to you?

“I see Carla as always being the optimistic one (if not a bit ditzy). With all the drama and gossip around the neighborhood, coming to the salon is supposed to be a form of stress relief. I always love playing roles where I can be free and have fun with the character and Carla is practically the epitome of fun and happiness.”

“This show will always have a special place in my heart. I was fortunate enough to see it 3 times (twice on Broadway and the special 5th anniversary reunion concert) and this will be my 3rd time being in it.  I still haven't had enough and don't think I ever will. I pretty much lived Nina's storyline. This show came out at a time where I was a full time college student with a lot of financial issues and I didn't even know if I could afford to stay in school even though I had a full time job on the side. Thankfully I made it but it was definitely a struggle. Home is a central theme of this show and no place but the theatre really feels like home to me. Just being on stage surrounded by people who share the same love for music and dance as I do makes me happy.”

          Come see Steffy and the rest of the talented cast of In The Heights- running July 8th through July 31st. Tickets are available for every performance starting at $20 if purchased before Friday performances, or $25 if purchased at the door. Box office opens one hour prior to every performance. Call (516)-694-3330 or visit our website www.culturalartsplayhouse.com for additional information.

Mira Nina! Meet Veronica, who plays Nina in In The Heights!

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Mira Nina! Meet Veronica, who plays Nina in In The Heights!

What are some of your favorite roles you've played?

“Some of my favorite past roles include The Witch in Into the Woods, Anita in West Side Story, and Ms. Pennywise in Urinetown, because I really love playing such outrageous characters. I also loved getting to play Belle in Beauty and the Beast.”

What theatre/acting/dance/etc. training do you have?

“Over the years I've studied voice in theatre, jazz, and opera/classical. I've taken dance lessons for as long as I can remember, and studied acting in CAP classes for many years.”

What does the role mean to you?

“I am so honored to be playing Nina. She is such a strong character and I love getting to experience all of the emotions that she goes through in the course of the show. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to her, as she finds ways to deal with her academic, familial, and romantic struggles. I hope I am able to portray Nina's tremendous growth as we take the audience through her journey.”

“CAP is such an incredible theatre to be a part of. It is only fitting that we perform as this close-knit community of the barrio and replicate that in our own off-stage relationships as a cast. Working with such talented people is not only a privilege, but a learning experience that I am thrilled to be taking part in.”

    Come see Veronica and the rest of the talented cast of In The Heights- running July 8th through July 31st. Tickets are available for every performance starting at $20 if purchased before Friday performances, or $25 if purchased at the door. Box office opens one hour prior to every performance. Call (516)-694-3330 or visit our website www.culturalartsplayhouse.com for additional information.

42nd Street THIS WEEKEND!

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 42nd Street closes this Sunday at the Cultural Arts Playhouse. Three more chances to come and meet those dancing feet: TONIGHT (Friday) or Saturday at 8 p.m, or Sunday at 7 p.m! 

    This is the story of hard work, being in the right place at the right time, talent and love. 42nd Street is a celebration of Broadway and the people involved in shows. It focuses on aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer, and takes us along her journey. Musical hits include We’re In the Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo and Forty-Second Street. 

    42nd Street stars Jess Schaffer as Peggy Sawyer, and Nick Masson (appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association) as Julian Marsh.

    Tickets are available for every performance starting at $20 if purchased before 4 p.m today (Friday), or $25 if purchased at the door. Box office opens one hour prior to every performance. Call (516)-694-3330 or visit our website www.culturalartsplayhouse.com for additional information.

Wepa! Meet Usnavi in In The Heights!

Lights up on Niko Touros, who plays Usnavi in In The Heights!

What are some of your favorite roles you’ve played?

"Some of my favorite roles I've played have to be Link in Hairspray, Shrek, and definitely Usnavi."

What kind of theatre training do you have?

"I haven't had much vocal or dance training but I've studied acting at Nassau Community College and in the fall I will be pursuing a minor in acting at Queens College."

What does this role mean to you?

"To say this role means a lot to me would be an understatement. In the past year I've lost both of my grandparents on my dad's side. It's been rough, but playing Usnavi has helped me to cope with it. It's also served as my way of honoring and remembering them the way that I know best. Even beyond the role of Usnavi, the show as a whole means the world to me. My entire life I've always longed for a place to call home and people besides blood to call family and I've found that in this show and this cast. I've come to realize that "home" is not a place, it's a feeling you get when you're surrounded by loving company. That's what this show is all about- love, unity, family, community, and most importantly to me: finding the meaning of home."

    Come see Niko and the rest of the talented cast of In The Heights- running July 8th through July 31st. Tickets are available for every performance starting at $20 if purchased before Friday performances, or $25 if purchased at the door. Box office opens one hour prior to every performance. Call (516)-694-3330 or visit our website www.culturalartsplayhouse.com for additional information.