#InTheLoop | One-Woman Play Examines the Hilarious Ups and Tragic Downs of Life

Shawneen Rowe has a treasure trove of mesmerizing stories about her childhood and Grandma Rosa. On the stage, she bounces from an endearing vignette about growing up in a vibrant Italian-American home to a painful recollection of the family’s matriarch dealing with abuse and abandonment.

City Gate Productions presents Crooked Shadows three times at Broom Tree Theatre in Astoria from Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4.

Although the inspiration certainly comes from Grandma Rosa, Rowe stars in this one-woman play, which she also wrote. The New Jersey-based actress and teacher has a Masters in Theatre from Villanova University and a BFA from New York University.

General admission is $15, but patrons can buy five tickets for $60 or 10 tickets for $100. Shows are at 8 pm on June 2 and June 3 with a third one at 3 pm on June 4.

Broom Tree Theatre is located inside Astoria First Presbyterian Church are 23-35 Broadway. It has seats for 50 people.

Crooked Shadows is directed by Jackson Heights resident Erin Layton and produced by City Gate Board Members Rich Feldman and Thom Harmon. Based in Forest Hills, City Gate presented Five Women Wearing the Same Dress at the Moose Lodge Theatre in Mapseth in late March and early April. The same troupe offered Rabbit Hole at The Secret Theatre in Woodside last August.

Images: Shawneen Rowe