The Grove Gang
By Bruce-Michael Gelbert, Linda Dickerman and Susan Freedner

Linda Looks at…

Can you believe this is the last column of the season? That means summer is almost over. I don’t know how that happened since it seems like it was just June and the summer was beginning. I want to thank everyone for a great season. There is nothing like our Cherry Grove family. During the long winter, like most of you, I always think about how wonderful it will be to get back here in the spring. I get to see all the people I miss during the winter, and start schlepping stuff back and forth (it never ends). It seems like I never spend enough time here.

I hope you got to see Billie Ann Miller’s Royal Review. It was star studded, with members of the Imperial Court, and a terrific show, as usual.

The Archives dates had to be revised and the new dates are Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, September 2 and 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location will be the Horace Andrews Pavilion at the Community House. Harold Seeley asks that you remember to bring the story of how your house got its name for the “House Signs” book.

SAGE is coming back to the Grove. On Saturday, August 26 from 4 to 6 p.m, all are invited as guests to Windy Hill, the home of Jack Dowling, 251 Bayview Walk. You can become a SAGE member if you want, or just come and enjoy the wine and cheese, and find out all about this wonderful organization.

Plan to get your tickets for Sal Piro’s show for the APCG, “Panzi and Philomena Meet Frankenstein.” Otherwise, how will you know who the monsters are? Who is Igor? Who is the Gypsy? Who is the ghost? Who is Dr. Frankenstein, the Frankenstein Monster, Franny Frankenstein, etc.? Seeing the show is a must, so make sure you get your tickets this weekend for next weekend. I think Sal has outdone himself on this one. It’s his best production to date, so treat yourself to an evening of fun, fun, fun. There are four performances over Labor Day weekend, 7 and 10 p.m., Saturday 9/2 and Sunday 9/3. Tickets will be on sale from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday August 26 and 27, and then again Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3, and a half hour before each performance, at $25 for APCG members and $30 for non-members, at the ticket kiosk at the Community House.

Until next year…

Bruce-Michael Musings…

On August 6, transgender singer Sherry Vine made an impressive Grove debut at the Tides, decked out in blonde curls and a sheer black negligee, and, drawing on the Kander and Ebb repertory, belted out “When You’re Good to Mama,” personalized as "When You’re Good to Sherry;” demurely purred “Everybody’s Girl,” in response to her first sight of the Meat Rack; and burned up the stage with the title song from “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” Fresh from the challenge of mastering a Finnish song for Finland’s Gay Pride, our linguist treated us to songs in Japanese and Spanish.

On the following Sunday afternoon, Aurora Stone became the new Miss Cherry’s, and Rae Lindsay won the title Ms. Cherry’s. That evening, Titania contributed a couple of numbers to Porsche’s show, now at the Ice Palace, a far more civilized place to hear Porsche sing than her old haunt was. I shared with the singer my impression that she now included more dulcet songs and she said, in agreement, “That’s because I don’t have to scream,” i.e. over a raucous crowd. Porsche lavished sweet sound on “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “Over the Rainbow,” and “Crazy,” in tribute to Streisand, Garland and Cline, before turning to the earthier Janis Joplin favorites. Charity did a show at the Tides later on, flipping out graphically to the disco version of “Losing My Mind” and hosting guests Nikki Starr, doing Cher, and Victoria Chase, who moved us by singing “Private Dancer” and gave Victor a lap dance. Red-hot mama Charity aptly closed with a couple of red-hot mama Sophie Tucker’s signature tunes.

CGCAI President Roland Michely pointed out an error in my report on Assemblywoman Ginny Fields’ announcement during his organization’s Community Awards dinner. The $50,000 grant that Fields spoke of is meant for improvements to only Grove properties, not for all of Fire Island.

This Sunday at 7 pm, Miss Sweetie will host the Tides’ second annual Mr. Fire Island contest, a tradition revived after a hiatus of more than three decades. After paying a $25 registration fee, contestants will vie for $500 and the crown, airing their bearing in formal wear, swimsuit, talent competition and interview.

At this writing, all three Grove Gang members as well as many others are deep into rehearsals for the APCG Labor Day show, “Panzi and Philomena Meet Frankenstein,” which director Sal Piro calls “a musical comedy of horrors.” Come see the show and enjoy the eponymous Grove divas, as well as favorites Peter B, Peter T, Craig Tessler, Jeanne Skinner, Bella, Tony Bondi, Sherri Rase, Lee Sharmat, Amelia Migliaccio, and Timothea (Tim Webster), led by Jack Aaronson, in his APCG debut as Musical Director, Brett Oberman returning as choreographer, in a chilling, thrilling, heart-warming show.

Au revoir till next season!

Sooz Sez…

As the old saying goes…time passes quickly when you’re having fun. Just a few weeks ago we were making arrangements to open for the season and now we are talking about when we will be closing… it’s been a very busy season and it’s not over yet…although this is our final column for 2006.

Each Grove Gang member is performing in the APCG show over Labor Day so we are all mentioning the production…yes, we are multi-talented… columnists and thespians… hard to believe, but true. In addition to those people already mentioned the large cast also includes Barbara Hirsch, Lynn Belensky, Joyce Yaeger, Pat Wagnis, Ruth Freedner, SallyAnn Piacentino, Denise Harbin, Martha Pitkin, Rodney Giles, and an APCG virgin, Jackie Presta. As is typical with some Grove shows there are spotlighted performers who aren’t members of the ensemble, the velvet-voiced John DeMarco and George Brescia.

I believe this could be the funniest show Sal Piro has ever done, and that is not hyperbole; it is true based on the exceptional use of the extraordinarily talented Thom (Panzi) Hansen and Phil(omena) Stoehr.

That perennial favorite Lynne Tunderman is not performing in the show. Lynne was asked to do Sal a favor and be stage manager, as Sal’s long-time assistant Maria-Elena Passarelli was undergoing treatment for cancer and we wish her all the best as she continues her recovery.

Although there are some people who think of Labor Day Weekend as the end of summer, perhaps harkening back many years to their school days…for most of us the season is not over until the APCG Formal/Costume Ball, which will be Saturday, 9/30, returning to the Grove Hotel. The theme, you know how we love themes, is Brokeback Cherry Grove…visions of cowboy (girls) dance in my head…it seems to me that this year very few people will be in formal attire…western gear is just too comfortable and practical for early fall.

Sincere condolences to Laura Spadafino on the loss of her father, and sympathy to her family, especially her life-partner Lana Kelly, and their children Alexandra and Zachary.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy winter and hoping to see everyone next spring back home in the Grove…