'Guys and Dolls,' 'Grumpy Old Men' headed to Plaza

From the Hot Box dancers of "Guys and Dolls" to the frosty protagonists of "Grumpy Old Men," Plaza's Broadway Long Island in Elmont is clearly aiming for a feel-good vibe with the 2022-23 lineup of shows the theater announced on Monday.

"I wanted shows that were upbeat, funny, comical. We are living in such a challenging time right now," said Kevin Harrington, founder and executive producer of Plaza, Nassau County's sole professional theater company. "It almost brings me back a little bit to the 1920s when the stock market crashed … with the challenging economic times and when people wanted to go to the theater as an escape, to laugh, to have fun."

Plaza, which is based at the Elmont Memorial Library, will kick off its second season with the Frank Loesser crowd-pleaser "Guys and Dolls" from Sept. 24 through Oct. 9. The show, based on the stories of Damon Runyon, features such classic numbers as "Luck Be a Lady," "If I Were a Bell" and "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat."

Following from Nov. 19 to Dec. 4 will be the second Long Island production of "Grumpy Old Men," which was performed this spring at BayWay Arts Center in East Islip. The musical is based on the 1993 movie comedy, which starred Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as feuding neighbors in Wabasha, Minnesota, vying for the attention of a sexy new neighbor. Harrington said he will be working with the musical's creators in bringing his vision of the show to Elmont.

There's more guys on tap with the Off-Broadway revue "Forever Plaid," which will run from March 18 to April 2. Set during the 1950s, the show centers on a male singing quartet called the Plaids who croon ballads including "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Perfidia" and "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing."

Finally, get ready for the dancing queens of "Mamma Mia!," the jukebox musical featuring the music of ABBA, from May 20 to June 4.

In addition, Plaza is lowering its ticket prices for next season from $65 to $49 per show for adults and from $60 to $45 for seniors. A full-season subscription is $160. To reserve, call 516-599-6870 or visit plazabroadwaylongisland.com.