DAN'S PAPERS, July 11, 2008 Page 109 www.danshamptons.com
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HOMELIFE
By Susan Galardi
Family Fun: Rock the Harbor, Beauty & the Beast There is so much to do on the East End in the summer that the temptation is to just pack the cooler, grab the chairs, and head to the beach until everyone is delirious with sunstroke. But, vitamin D deficiency aside, there are so many other options for families that it would be a crime to not include some cultural activities into the latter part of sun and fun — kid-friendly benefits, shows, circuses, carnivals, and of course, theatre. Of course, you may say, I live in New York (if in fact you do). Why would I want to go to theatre when I’m out here at the beach on vacation?
Giving Tree Band will perfom live at Rock the Harbor - Boy’s Harbor Redux Picture it: A Wednesday matinee for Beauty and the Beast in New York, on Broadway. Hundreds and hundreds of kids in school groups – many happy to be at the theater, others just happy to be out of school.
Standing in line for 30 minutes waiting to just get in the door to present your ticket. Sitting in nosebleed heaven for a mere $85 per seat, surrounded by said school kids, who laugh and yell and talk through the entire production. Now picture this: Driving in the comfort of your car to the Patchogue Theater where you easily park, you don’t wait in line, and the absolute top ticket price is $45.00 for adults, $25 for kids. Or you can do the Family Friendly Friday thing, where the show starts at 7, and tickets are available at discount prices. Gateway has been producing first class entertainment for almost 60 years – they basically present the road shows of major musicals and plays. And Beauty and the Beast is a great one. All the horrors of going into the city for a matinee with a four-year-old aside, that excursion was a great experience for our son – who is not as kvetchy about crowds and hassles as an adult might be. The show isn’t as “gender-specific” as some other Disney offerings – boys and girls both relate to the story. Another great kid-family event this weekend is “Rock the Harbor” on Saturday night in East Hampton. If you’ve gone to the Boy’s Harbor fireworks in the past, you’ll be very happy that that event has been given new life by Rob Kaimowitz and Nick Kraus, partners of the Stephen Talkhouse. If you never went to a Boy’s Harbor fundraiser during its almost 20-year run, get ready for an amazing evening. First of all, it’s the only fireworks display in East Hampton in July (thanks to the plovers). Second, the crackers explode right over the bay in front of you – a thrilling experience for adults and kids. You feel the
Gateway Playhouse hosts Beauty and the Beast boom in your very soul. Third, fourth and fifth? Food, drink, live band. The event is a benefit, so tickets aren’t cheap – but if you purchase them online (by midnight Friday, and get tickets for another sister event called “Rock the Farm”) it’s pretty reasonable for a night of Americana. Where else can you lie in the grass with your family and watch the greatest rocket’s red, orange, yellow, green... glare? God bless America. Rock the Harbor, Saturday, July 12, Duke Estate, East Hampton. rockthehamptons.org Beauty and the Beast: July 9 – 26, every day but Tuesdays..gatewayplayhouse.com
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