20 Years Ago

“Footloose” was at Theatre By the Sea. TBTS filled in a pair of supporting roles with Rhode Island’s Geri Soriano and Frederick as city council president and high school principal. The timeless musical returned to the summer theater this June.

Frank Galligan, Tommy Lafrate and Gianna Giorgi of Cranston starred in Kaleidoscope Theatre’s “Mother Goose” at Rhode Island College.

2nd Story Theatre starred Cranston’s Marvin Novogrodski in “The Author’s Voice.”

Remember singer/entertainer Ronnie Rose? He was performing on the Bay Queen cruises on Narragansett Bay.

The Newport Music Festival held 64 concerts in 17 days featuring 52 artists. Some foreign artists didn’t show because of visa problems following 9/11.

Jamie Lee Curtis was still doing horrible “Halloween” movies, while crocodile hunter Steve Irwin starred in a horrible “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course”.

“Men in Black II” with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones was a pretty good sequel.

40 Years Ago

The Casino Theatre reopened in Newport with “Bits and Pieces” starring Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson.

Warwick’s Sandpiper Restaurant also reopened with a twin lobster special and open bar (remember those?) for $9.95.

The Warwick Musical Theatre opened its 28th season with singers Mickey Piley and Johnny Lee. This was the year WMT changed its format offering one-nighters with popular stars. Doug Kershaw and the Dirt Band and Chuck Mangione also performed, followed by Joan Rivers and Davis Brenner.

Neal Sedaka and Jerry Lee Lewis rocked the tent. “Ain’t Misbehavin’” was at Theatre By the Sea.