Published: September 19, 2008 12:13 pm            

THE ISLE FILE: Local stage play features Islander director, actor

A couple of Islanders belly up to the bar for “Over the Tavern” at Western Door Playhouse in Niagara Falls Oct. 3-19.

Bob Priest directs and Steve Olszewski plays his stressed-out father Chet in this charmingly hilarious boyhood reminiscence which thrust Buffalo playwright Tom Dudzick into the spotlight.

Western Door’s “Tavern” plays over a school, on the second floor (elevator provided) of the old Niagara Falls High at Portage Road and Pine Avenue. Western Door’s entire 2008-09 season showcases plays with local roots.

Niagara Regional Theater Guild stages “Tavern” next March with another Islander, John Quackenbush, at the helm. The Guild opens the unique “City of Angels” musical next Friday at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda.

TUNING IN: Isle File confesses to recording old “What’s My Line?” shows off the Game Show Network at 3 a.m. and watching them the next evening.

Monday night’s mystery guest was an old Island favorite, Liberace.

While performing at Melody Fair, “Lee” would stay at the Holiday Inn and shop Kelly’s Country Store to the bare walls. One day he became concerned that he was getting in the way of less-noteworthy customers and volunteered to come in early if Mike wouldn’t mind opening up for him.

That was classic Liberace, always making you think you were doing HIM a favor. E-mail or ask us about our memorable encounters with this consummate entertainer.

The panel identified him early, largely because of the studio audience’s thunderous response to his appearance. In so many ways, he was the greatest.

FALL IN: Sunday would be the greatest day to enjoy the hospitality of River Lea at the Grand Island Historical Society open house, 2 to 4 p.m. at Beaver Island State Park. Refreshments served, tours given. Free, but it you’ve any change left over from church, drop it in. TiVo football, if you care.

KERN UPDATE: But you’ll be home in time to watch Islander Brett Kern punting for Denver vs. New Orleans. Last week Kern punted for a 53.7-yard average (with a long of 64) vs. San Diego, a feat little noted when your team wins 39-38. He has the NFL’s fourth-best punting average. The Bills play at Denver Dec. 21.

ADDED STARTER: An impeccable source appends the name of Rich Dommer to Isle File’s roster of Islanders who’ve played sports professionally.

After graduation from Adelphi University, where his team won a national championship, Rich played pro lacrosse with the Toronto Rock about six years ago and now coaches at Herkimer Community College between Syracuse and Albany.

Lacrosse is a prestige sport in Central New York, on a par with football and basketball. Herkimer College teams have a long championship tradition. The school’s Web site traces the “funny stick game” back to Revolutionary War days, when the goals might be miles apart.



Isle File idea? E-mail pollyndoug@hotmail.com.

        

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