20 years ago

Big movies this June were “Scooby Doo,” “The Bourne Identity,” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Blade Runner.”

Joanne Gentille, Russell Berrigan and Joshua Allen starred in Sandra Feinstein Gamm’s production of Edward Albee’s “The American Dream.” Cranston’s Hope Pilkington gave her finest performance ever as Grandma.

Mustard’s Retreat was at the Greenwich Odeum.

Cranston West student Chris Chianesi was in Theatre By The Sea’s production of “Anything Goes.”

Anne Scurria gave one of her many great performances as Vivian Bearing, cancer patient, in Trinity Rep’s outstanding production of “Wit.”

Mark Colozzi, director of bands at Cranston High School East, was moonlighting at Luigi’s in Johnston with his very funny Mixed Nuts nonstop comedy show with Cranstonian Kevin Sullivan serving as emcee.

Rachel York starred in “Kiss Me Kate” at PPAC.

40 years ago

Theatre By The Sea opened its summer season with “TinTypes,” which I called “a musical review of mediocre songs” – actually one of the very few bad reviews I had ever given that gem of a theater.

“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” was the big summer movie, followed by Steven Spielberg’s “Poltergeist.”

Parish House Players gave us “Side by Side by Sondheim.”

“Chapter Two” was at West Valley Inn, and “On Golden Pond” was at Heritage Playhouse.

“Peter Pan” was at the Ocean State Theatre (now PPAC).

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” was at Theatre By The Sea.

Former trinity actor Tim Daly got his big break in a little movie that became a big hit, “Diner.”