Bay View takes a bite out of the 'Big Apple'

April 29, 2010

Cranston Herald, Warwick Beacon, Johnston Sunrise

All text and photos by: Jen Cowart

TAKE FIVE: Some of the Bay View Players take a break from rehearsing this year’s Cabaret performance, “Leading Ladies.” Pictured in the back row are Matthew Sullivan of Cranston and Billy Cavanagh of Warwick. Second row from left are Tyler Micheletti and Samuel Boadu Jr. of Johnston, John Dale Ritchie, Erika Pistacchio and Andrew Osmanski of Warwick and Christine Antonelli of Cranston. In the front from left are Adriana Lentrichia of Cranston, Victoria Kacprzak of West Warwick, Lauren Moore, Chandi Zeoli and Robert Prudhomme of Cranston and Mike Desmarais of Warwick.

Each spring, St. Mary’s Academy-Bay View attracts thousands of people to their annual Manhattan at the Bay weekend event. From theater shows and reunions, to street cafes and family festivals, Manhattan at the Bay has it all.


“If you've heard of this event and never come, or haven't been in years, this is the year,” said Warwick resident, Bethany Mascena-Tracy, director of Special Events and a Bay View alumna from the class of 1991.

Now in its 27th year, this year’s event begins on Thursday, April 29 with a 7 p.m. performance of “Leading Ladies.” The cabaret show is directed by an award-winning production team lead by Christine D. Kavanagh, and is performed by the Bay View Players.

The Players include young men and women from all over Rhode Island, including Cranston, Johnston and Warwick.

The eight gentlemen performers in the show hail from La Salle Academy, Bishop Hendricken High School and Cranston High School East. Some have been in the show in the past, but for others, like Tyler Micheletti, a junior at La Salle, it’s a brand new experience.

“I’ve seen it growing up and I really wanted to be a part of it,” Micheletti said. “I only regret not having done it sooner.”

This year’s batch of Players insist that this year’s production has something extra special about it.

“This year’s show has everything: great people, great songs, and great dancers,” said Chandi Zeoli of Cranston.

Senior Erika Pistacchio of Warwick plays Marilyn Monroe in the show. She says that this year’s show has a very different feel to it.

“It’s very inspiring for women and it’s a lively show and I think it’ll be the most well received show we’ve put on in a long time. Maybe I’m biased, but I love this year’s the best,” she said. “It will speak to people because it’s about working really hard, and how we all have to work in this world, especially now in these economic times.”

The show, which highlights the contributions of famous women in history, will run seven times throughout the Manhattan at the Bay weekend. Tickets range from $10 to $25 per person.

Last year, a brand new event was added to the weekend’s menu: Family Fun Day.

Held on Saturday, May 1 from 12 to 4 p.m., Family Fun Day features face painting, arts and crafts, a bounce house, food and more. It’s an affordable way to spend a day, with a cost of just $5 per child. Other vendors, such as Noah’s Ark stuffed animals will be available for a slight additional fee, but there are many activities that are included in the regular ticket price.

This year will add another new feature to the line-up with a Times Square venue, which Mascena-Tracey said, “will be hopping with an 80's and 90's dance party on Friday and Saturday night.”

As people stroll the “streets” of Manhattan at the Bay, they can sample fare from Rhode Island restaurants at city cafes set up along the way. There will be corned beef sandwiches from Flannagon’s Shannon View in Warwick at McAuley’s Irish Pub; chicken skewers from L’Attitude Modern Eatery in Cranston at the Tribeca International Café; sausage and peppers, chicken wings and baked macaroni from PJ’s Pub in Cranston at the Dug Out Sports Bar; as well as food from TGI Fridays, Outback Steak House, Edible Arrangements and 1149.

The weekend comes to an end with an alumnae mass and brunch on Sunday, May 2, when the awards are given out to two chosen alumnae who have distinguished themselves since their high school graduation.

“Walking around throughout the weekend, I often see groups of friends who are out for the evening together as well as people who have run into old friends, hugging and smiling,” said Mascena-Tracy. “Simply put, it's a great night out.”

Tickets are still available for all shows and events at the door or by logging onto www.manhattanatthebay.com.