By Karen Bloom
Long Island Philharmonic¹s
New Year's Eve Gala
Celebrate the New Year with the Long Island Philharmonic, at ³Swing, Broadway, Swing!² New Year¹s Eve festivities have become an annual tradition for the orchestra, which celebrates 2007 with its 15th New Year¹s Eve concert.
This year Maestro David Wiley, music director and conductor, takes the Philharmonic on a wild, musical journey back in time to the Swing era when Duke Ellington was the royalty of music. Vocalists N¹Kenge and Andre McRae, guest artists, join the Philharmonic in a program that features the music of Duke Ellington, along with hits by some of the great musical composers of the day.
George Gershwin and Irving Berlin are highlighted in the glittering presentation of some of the most popular music on and off the Great White Way, including ³Sophisticated Lady,² ³Take The A Train,² ³Satin Doll,² and more.
³New Year¹s Eve has become an important tradition to our audiences,² said Philharmonic Chairman Larry Austin. ³It¹s a chance to share this special occasion with those who hold music and the Philharmonic so dear.²
This year the concert becomes the centerpiece for evening-long festivities, which starts with a pre-concert dinner at the Milleridge Inn.
The concert is presented at the Tilles Center, on Sunday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ending at approximately 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $110, $80 and $55. The dinner-concert package is $170. Dinner at the Milleridge Inn begins at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets from the Tilles Center box office, (516) 299-3100 or (631) 293-2222. The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is located on the C.W. Post Campus, Rte. 25A, Brookville.
Theatre
The region's theater companies all offer special New Year¹s Eve ³champagne² performances.
Arena Players Repertory Theatre: How the Other Half Loves, a comedy by Alan Ayckbourn, at the Main Stage Theatre, Dec, 31, 9:30 p.m. This play tells the story of three couples, with all the men working for the same firm. One of the younger men is having an affair with the wife of the oldest, and when each returns home suspiciously late one evening, they invent a tale about having to spend some time smoothing domestic matters involving the third couple.At 296 Rte. 109, East Farmingdale. Also, the comedy Happy Birthday Brigit, Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m. This play deals with Bernard who has foolishly asked his mistress to his home on his birthday despite the fact that his wife is present. He has also invited his oldest friend, Robert, and asks Robert to pretend that Brigit is his mistress. See what ensues. At the Second Stage Theatre, 294 Route 109, East Farmingdale. Tickets are $40; with wine, champagne and dessert. For reservations or further information call (516) 293-0674 or www.arenaplayers.org.
BroadHollow Theatre Company: The Champagne Complex, Dec. 31, at 9 p.m. This comedy by Leslie Stevens involves a young woman who works at a magazine and is engaged to a pompous young executive. He adores her but has a difficult time smoothing relations between the carefree woman and his stuffy family, especially after a champagne reception when she started to disrobe. At the BayWay Arts Center, 265 E. Main St., East Islip. Tickets are $50; with wine and cheese before the show, champagne, toast and musical revue to ring in the new year. To purchase tickets or for further information, call (631) 581-2700.
Hofstra University¹s The Gray Wig: My Way A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. The alumni theater group presents a musical revue featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra. Tickets are $39, which includes a champagne toast, available from the Hofstra Box Office,
(516) 463-6644. The performance takes place at Hofstra University's Monroe Lecture Center Theater, Hempstead.
Comedy
Laugh the night away at area clubs.
The Brokerage Club: Ring in the New Year with at a comedy party, with four comedy stars, Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 or $50 in advance. The price includes two drinks, champagne toast, coffee and danish after midnight. At Merrick Rd. and Bellmore Ave., Bellmore. Merrick Rd. and Bellmore Ave., Bellmore. For reservations and information call
(516) 785-8655 or 785-9349.
Governor¹s Comedy Cabaret: Laugh the night away at aNew Year's Eve Extravaganza with Joey Kola and special guest Paul Bond, Dec. 31, 7:30 and 11:15 p.m. Hand picked by Rosie O¹Donnell to handle the audience warm-ups on her show, Bond has also appeared on the David Letterman Show and a host of other network and cable comedy shows. Dinner/Show package: $90.00, 7:30 p.m.; $110, 11:15 p.m. Show only, $60, 7:30 p.m.; $80 11:15 p.m. Hempstead Tpke. and Division Ave., Levittown. For reservations and information call
(516) 731-3358 or www.govs.com.
Set Sail
Celebrate in style at a dinner cruise aboard the Nautical Empress, a 160 foot luxury yacht. Dance the night away on a four hour cruise that takes in the Festival of Lights show at Jones Beach. The evening features an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, formal sitdown dinner, midnight champagne toast, music and entertainment. Boarding begins at 8:30 p.m.; with sailing from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $125.00 per person. The ship sails from Woodcleft Canal, Freeport. For reservations, call
(516) 623-5712.
