By Ron Hellman
When it comes to performing venues, Queens continues to be vastly underserved.
It’s not for lack of theater companies, at least 30 at last count, but most are relegated to houses of worship and cramped building spaces. Lots of good work is done in these facilities, but it’s not the same as having a real theater to perform in. Perhaps our incoming borough president, with her arts background, will take up this challenge.
One of the rare exceptions is the Queensborough Performing Arts Center, now in its 48th year on the campus of Queensborough Community College in Bayside. With a theater capacity of 875, QPAC has produced more than 1,100 performances and is committed to providing professional and affordable entertainment for the local community. And there’s free ample parking!
The slogan for the current season is “Window to the world of entertainment” – including dance, pop music, comedy and musical theater. Running the show for nearly 10 years is Executive and Artistic Director Susan Agin. “Producing theater is not for the faint of heart, but it’s the right fit for me,” Agin said. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Queens College, and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association who performed extensively before taking on her present position — although once in a while she now gets a chance to sing out as a cantor.
Among some of QPAC’s unusual offerings are its Children’s Book Club and Performance Series, which seeks to fill in the literacy gap for elementary and middle-school students. Adaptations of fairy tales and classics are presented annually. Its next workshops for vocal and dance start in January for ages 8 to 13. For the grownups there is an occasional Saturday Night Singalong — karaoke at the movies — for a cost of a mere five bucks.
QPAC also provides space for a number of groups that perform at other venues, such as the Oratorio Society of Queens, The Paper Bag Players, Plaza Theatrical Productions and Arts on Stage. Agin is most proud of the diversity of events for our culturally diverse population. To find out all that is available so close to home, access the website at www.visitqpac.org, or call (718) 631-6311.
Rumor has it that the holiday season, or frantic shopping time, is upon us. To get you in the right mood, Judy and Kevin Vincent of Theatre Time Productions present their musical spectacular of “Holiday Memories,” Dec. 6 to 14, at the Colonial Church of Bayside. Opening night features a dessert buffet. Reserve your tickets by calling (347) 358-8102, or online at www.theatretime.org.
Theatre By The Bay at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center (718-428-6363) continues to expand its programming. On Saturday, Dec. 7, it has a cabaret night with music, comedy and dancing, along with light refreshments. Starring are Jean Ann Kump, a 25-year veteran stage performer with lots of leading-lady credits, and Barry Feterman, a singer, comedian and impressionist. A local favorite, the talented teenager Isabel Robin, will also make a special appearance.
See you at the theater.
Contact Ron Hellman at RBHOFC@Gmail.com.
