BWW Review: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at BayWay Arts Center presented by Studio Theatre Of Long Island

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Theatre is back on Long Island and the spirited offering of Tony nominee Catch Me If You Can at the BayWay Arts Center does not disappoint. Presented by Studio Theatre of Long Island at the adorable East Islip venue, Rick Grossman superbly directs the wonderful cast and the superb crew elevates the visually stunning production. Running through July 25th, this is indeed a raucous yet heart-tugging show.

The musical comedy - set in the 1960’s - is created by Terrence McNally (book), Marc Shaiman (music & lyrics), and Scott Wittman (lyrics) based on the 2002 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie, in turn, is based on the autobiography by our main character, Frank Abagnale, Jr. We follow the young con man around the world with his ridiculous shenanigans as he evades authorities and deals with his fraught relationship with his father.

Francesco DiFlora excellently stars in BayWay’s showing as Frank, Jr. Mr. DiFlora puts a charming quality on Frank, Jr. when it seems this could easily be a skeevy type. The large, talented cast also includes Long Island theatre vet Chris Dufrenoy as Frank, Sr. Indeed, DiFlora and Dufrenoy have a great rapport on stage. In addition, Jack Seabury is hilarious as the supposed-to-be tough Carl Hanratty, the leader of the investigation team who is trying to capture Frank, Jr. The whole cast is truly extraordinary.

As for the crew, they created a gorgeous and engaging production. The bi-level stage is minimal on the lower level with two grand staircases on each side. The upper level houses the outstanding orchestra headed up by Musical Director Gregory P. Franz though some of the cast ventures up to the second level at some points. Joe Kassner’s costumes are first-rate as is Mike Visco’s superb lighting. And the choreography by Nicole Ashlee Bianco is fun and bubbly making great use of the stage.

And so, Catch Me If You Can, at the BayWay Arts Center is certainly a must see. Fun fact…. Even though Studio Theatre has been around for fifty years, this is their inaugural season at the venue since recently taking it over. They also have a theatre in Lindenhurst. The renovations they have done at BayWay are fantastic even putting in a small café. Really, seeing this show is a great and safe opportunity as we venture into our new normal.

Catch Me If You Can is presented by Studio Theatre Of Long Island at the BayWay Arts Center in East Islip through July 25th

Book by Terrence McNally, Music & Lyrics by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman, Directed by Rick Grossman, Music Direction by Gregory P. Franz, Choreography by Nicole Ashlee Brown, Scenic Design by Chris Rosselli, Costume & Wig Design by Joe Kassner, Lighting Design by Mike Visco, Sound Design by Jacob Levesque, Stage Management by Emily Gladstein, Associate Choreographer is Samantha Fels

Starring Francesco DiFlora, Ryan Worrell, Daniel Bishop, Jack Seabury, Londel Collier, Chris Dufrenoy, Emily Nadler, Veronica Fox, Aubrey Alvino, Stephanie Moreau, Angelo DiBiase, Kevin Russo, Katey Russo, Louisa Bikowski, Devin Butera, Kristen Greek, Thomas Higgins, Katie Johnson, David Lopez, Cassidy O’Brien, Abby Semelsburger, Jillian Michaels Smith, and Rylee Taylor

Photo by Michael Ryan

Plus-size women embrace ‘Big Girl Summer’ in viral TikTok trend

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Plus-size women are “feeling good as hell” after Lizzo declared that “Big Girl Summer has officially begun.”

In an Instagram post, she asks, “Where my big girls at?” and the internet responded.

TikTok user @mrsbosin went viral earlier this month when she posted a video sharing what she used to wear to the beach compared to what she wears now.

The original video has been viewed over 4 million times and gathered 956,000 likes since it was posted on June 7, sparking an online trend as other women have followed suit.

In the video, Randi Bosin transitions from the frumpy form-hiding clothing she used to wear to the beach and pool most of her adult life into a black high-waisted bikini paired with a patterned kimono and stylish beige sandals.

She captioned the video, “I’m a damn Queen and so are you put the suit on babe!” She explained that she “was ashamed because society says big isn’t beautiful” but that she’ll “never be ashamed.”

The 36-year-old mother of two from Wisconsin, who is affiliated with Closet Candy Boutique, often posts TikTok videos styling her plus-sized clothes and empowering other women to love their bodies. Following Bosin’s video, other TikTok users have taken to the app to share the transitions of their beach and pool wear.

@pressedbysativa Reply to @bex_baby_ thank you queen! I’m glad I finally realized me covering up like that did nothing for me ❤️ ♬ original sound – 𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕒_𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕚

The trend was originally started by user @pressedbysativa, who posted a video back in May. Her video reads, “I was super self-conscious to get out of the water/pool in front of anyone. I was not comfortable EVER. And I was always getting pointed at anyways,” she says, as she models a gray baggy outfit with no makeup and her hair in a bun.

She then changes into a bright rainbow bikini with a face full of makeup and her long hair styled, saying: “I will NEVER wear basketball shorts and a big T to the pool/beach again.”

Plenty of other women have posted videos modeling their voluptuous bikini bodies including @jassisspicey, @itsjustjocelynk and @jaci_dayne, who have all joined in on the fun summer trend.

Body positivity advocate @jassisspicey joined in on the viral TikTok trend.

Speaking about her viral video, Bosin told Insider: “I was in a bad place 10 years ago after having two babies. I was not amused by my body, my lack of motivation and metabolism.”

“But I always tell people that the self-love journey is long and it’s never-ending. I’m not always confident every single day, but I’m still here.”

Her video has connected her to people who say they found her at just the right time because they were ready to “give up on life.”

“I just wanted to inspire women to wear bikinis and now I’m just inspiring women to live their lives essentially,” Bosin explained.

For her own inspiration, Bosin looks to the officiant of “Big Girl Summer”: Lizzo.

“Her music is so much about self-love and self-worth,” Bosin said.

“She’s my hype station. I tell all the girls following me you got to get up in the morning and you got to hype yourself up. You have to talk to yourself and tell yourself you’re amazing and that you’re beautiful. Because once you start to tell yourself those things and believe them, they just become second nature.”

But even inspiring body positivity advocates like Lizzo are criticized for their weight and confidence. Jillian Michaels recently doubled down on her previous statements regarding Lizzo’s weight.

According to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, it is possible to be overweight and still be healthy, but being overweight is a precursor to obesity and can increase the risk of diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Lee Westwood Has One Last Chance to Avoid Dubious Major Record

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When the 48-year-old Englishman tees off on Thursday at Royal St. George’s, he will be making his 88th start in a major. What does he have to show for all of that work? Not one title.

With 87 starts in a major, Lee Westood has one more than Tiger Woods, but still no title. USA Today

The “Biggest Loser” was a popular television show, a weight-loss reality show that ran for 17 consecutive seasons. The show is gone now … or is it? In at least one respect, a sequel could be in the making this week at Royal St. George’s Golf Club, and Lee Westwood does not enjoy immunity.

Full disclosure, this has nothing to do with weight loss and Jillian Michaels is not Westwood’s swing coach. At age 48, the once-puffy Westwood is a lean, mean golfing machine, who has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in the last few months. In fact, it is not far-fetched to suggest Westwood could win the 149th British Open.

After all, Westwood tied for 13th at the 2020 U.S. Open last September. He was second at both Bay Hill and The Players in March. He has 44 professional wins to his credit, was ranked No. 1 in the world for 22 weeks in 2009, and still checks in at No. 29 in the OWGR.

As the horse racing fanatic himself might suggest, longer shots have come in. But if Westwood does not prevail at Royal St. George’s, he will reach a unique distinction. That is, he will be, where major championship golf is concerned, the “Biggest Loser.”

Coming into the 2021 Open, Westwood had played in 84 majors without a win. Granted, many others who competed in those majors did not win, as well. But play along, if you will …

Before this year, Jay Haas was the losing leader in the clubhouse, having started 87 majors without a victory during a stellar PGA Tour career. Westwood pulled even with Haas by competing in the first three majors this year without taking home a trophy.

Should he leave Royal St. George’s without the Claret Jug on Sunday evening, Westwood will surpass Haas and run his major winless log to 88.

Obviously, the distinction should be considered a back-door compliment. After all, the mere fact Westwood has played in that many majors is a remarkable achievement of both health and ability. For perspective, Tiger Woods, considered by some to be the greatest player in history and a winner of 15 majors, has played in 86, or two fewer.

“That’s nice, that record,” Westwood said. “It shows I’ve been a good player for a long, long time. There’s not many people who have played in as many major championships as me.”

What’s more, Westwood has every intention of making this week memorable for winning. “I always look forward to the Open Championship,” Westwood told Golf Digest earlier this month at the Scottish Open. “I missed not playing it last year. So it will be nice to be back, especially as it is shaping up like a normal tournament with them letting crowds in.”

But Royal St. George’s has not been kind. Westwood has played in both of the last two British Opens at the golf course (2011, 2003), and missed the cut both times.

“I had it in my head a bit of a mental block that I didn’t like the golf course,” Westwood said, “but played it yesterday and really enjoyed it and loved the way it was set up.

”I’m positive and hoping I can find some form and get into contention. Like all links tournaments, you need a little bit of luck with the weather, and like golf, you need a little bit of luck, you need some good breaks.”

But it is the nature of the game, and those who follow it, to keep track of the yin and the yang. Thus, titles such as “Best Player To Not Win A Major” have been created and bestowed on players like Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III and Sergio Garcia. Each has worn the label with distinction before shedding it with a major championship win.

If Westwood stays vibrant enough to compete in 12 more majors, he will join an elite group of just 16 who have played in as many as 100, led by Jack Nicklaus’ 164 appearances.

And fear not, should Westwood not win this week, hope remains. After all, Haas has won three Champions Tour majors.

Another European star, Colin Montgomerie started 75 majors without a win. Monty had 10 top-10s in majors and retains the most runner-up finishes without a victory. He was second in the U.S. Opens in 1994, ’97, and ’06, the PGA Championship in ‘95, and the British Open in ’05. Like Haas, Montgomerie has three Champions Tour majors to his credit.

So you see, in golf even the “Biggest Loser” can still be a winner.

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