A tuneful New Year's Eve around the area

It’s time to let loose and have some fun as we rebound from our woes of the recent weeks. So get ready to welcome 2013 and put on those party hats. There are many options nearby to enjoy the big night. Here are some suggestions on where and how to celebrate.

A Long Island Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Spectacular
Ring in the New Year in tune as the Long Island Philharmonic’s annual musical extravaganza. Join Maestro David Stewart Wiley, music director and conductor, and his orchestra at Tilles Center for an exuberant send-off to 2012.
The Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert continues to be a beloved year-end tradition for the orchestra and its fans. This year’s celebration, “The Great American Songbook,” features the timeless music from the great composers of the 20th century, including George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, and Cole Porter, along with a special tribute to Marvin Hamlisch.
With the Philharmonic still operating with an extremely limited schedule due to its budgetary constraints, this concert remains one of the few opportunities for the orchestra’s fans to enjoy a performance at the moment.
The glittering year-end concert, with music by these acclaimed composers who inject their optimistic spirit into the soundtrack of America, provides a much-needed uplifting start to the New Year.
This year’s program, in two acts, features a variety of classic showstoppers. Among the many favorites performed are Irving Berlin’s “A Symphonic Portrait,” Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields’ “I Won’t Dance”/“A Fine Romance” from Roberta and Swing Time, Irving Berlin’s “I Love a Piano” and “An Old-Fashioned Wedding” from Annie Get Your Gun, selections from Marvin Hamlisch’s A Chorus Line, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s “My Funny Valentine” from Babes in Arms, George and Ira Gershwin’s “Fascinating Rhythm” from Lady, Be Good, “There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York ” from Porgy and Bess, and “ ‘S Wonderful” from Funny Face, along with Cole Porter’s “Begin the Beguine” from Jubilee, and much more.
Four young performers, fresh from their roles on Broadway stages, join Wiley and his orchestra, all of whom are making their Philharmonic debuts. They bring a diverse range of talents to their Philharmonic appearance: Christina DeCicco, who is performing as Eva Perón in the current revival of Evita; Nat Chandler, who starred in the title role of The Scarlet Pimpernel; Teri Dale Hansen, who made her Broadway debut in The Boys from Syracuse; and Destan Owens, who has been seen on the Broadway stage in Rent, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and Chicago.
To add to the New Year’s Eve revelry, in what is the evening’s signature ending, concertgoers can see the Philharmonic’s own New Year’s Eve ball drop at the close of the program.
“This year’s New Year’s Eve program promises to be better than ever, with four great Broadway vocalists, many familiar tunes from the Great American Songbook, and our full Long Island Philharmonic orchestra,” said Wiley. “We are really pleased to also offer a tribute to the late and great Marvin Hamlisch, who has been with us at a past New Year’s Eve concert. Plus, with a 7:30 to 9:30 concert time, there is ample opportunity for concertgoers to return home safely or go on to another party. I look forward to sharing this concert with another full house on New Year’s Eve.”
The concert is expected to sell out, with limited seats remaining. Those interested in attending are urged to not delay in purchasing their tickets.
The Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular is presented at Tilles Center, on Monday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $110, $85, $70, and $55. For tickets and information, call (631) 293-2222 or www.liphilharmonic.org. The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is located at LIU Post, Rte. 25A, Brookville.

Theater
Theater lovers can partake of special “champagne” performances presented by the some of the region’s theater companies, which annually provide some theatrical fun to start the New Year off with laughter and joy.
Arena Players Repertory Theatre offers the quirky comedy “Cheating Cheaters,” at the Vanderbilt Museum’s Carriage House Theater in Centerport, Dec. 31, at 9 p.m. This touching, funny and warm-hearted story follows the hilarious adventures of two lovable sisters, who impersonate begging nuns in order to put their niece through art school. This scheme is complicated by a burglar, who makes off with the nuns’ ill-gotten gains and a suspicious policeman who has followed them home. The show becomes a larceny for laughter as the cheaters start cheating the cheaters.
Tickets are $50 per person, $75 per couple; with wine, champagne, coffee and pastries served throughout the evening. See it at 180 Little Neck Rd., in Centerport. For reservations or further information call (516) 293-0674 or visit www.arenaplayers.org.
At the Studio Theatre, sample the Great White Way in the form of a musical/comedy revue, “The Best of Broadway,” Dec. 31, at 10 p.m. Enjoy an evening of favorite tunes from Broadway shows combined with comedy sketches. The show includes a catered dinner and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $55; show and champagne toast is $25. The Studio Theatre is located at 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. To purchase tickets or for further information, call (631) 226-8400 or visit www.studiotheaterli.com.