PROFILE
the heart of the organization. The young be built from people like himself, who regulatory approvals and the blessing of a
trader with the heart of an entrepreneur had little theater experience, and from community that safely guards its charm.
regarded his desk as his own business, patrons of Broadway, who wanted a more refining skills along the way. accessible option.
“Every day I picked up the phone 2,000
In a four-pronged approach to what
times, executed 500 transactions, and O’Neill calls “cultivating frequency,” the
traded $20 billion worth of bonds,” O’Neill theater experience is becoming more
recalls. “It forced me to be a very quick accessible to the masses and turning the
decision maker and to trust my instinct.” Engeman into a regional destination.
After some years working in the
high-pressure environment and starting
a new family, O’Neill developed health
issues and had to reevaluate his career.
He left the trading desk for his next
venture as the founding investor
and principal in a theater marketing
company. It was there he would learn
about an unassuming little theater in a
cozy maritime town that was up for sale.
ACT II: The Venue
The John W. Engeman Theater that
stands today is the third iteration of
the structure. The original Northport
Theater, which opened in 1912, burned
and was rebuilt in 1932. After years
of operating under various identities,
ranging from vaudeville house to
discount movie theater, O’Neill bought
the building in 2006 and invested $3.5
million in renovations. In addition to
common restorations like replacing
the leaky roof and overhauling the
restrooms, O’Neill revamped the actors’
accommodations. As one of only three
theaters on Long Island that conforms to
the rules of the Actors Equity Association,
QUALITY. Complementing spacious
stadium-style seating, a state-of-the-art
sound system, oversized restrooms,
and an enhanced stage area, the John
W. Engeman Theater also self-produces
Broadway-caliber productions of the
highest standard.
CONVENIENCE. Particularly in contrast
to traveling the 45 miles to Manhattan,
patrons enjoy a seamless experience
closer to home for a fraction of the cost—
and valets will even park your car.
Rebranding of the old Northport Theater
also included its new moniker, the John
W. Engeman Theater, named in honor of
O’Neill’s brother-in-law, who was killed
while serving in Iraq.
ACT III: The Experience
10
the theater experience, but it will also
stand on its own to serve an area vastly
underserved in lodging.
THE CO-STARS. O’Neill is quick
to share credit with those around him
saying, “I know what my strengths are,
and I leverage them. But I know what my
weakness are, and I surround myself with
people who are better at it than I am.”
Armed with degrees in accounting and
law and a lifelong experience helping run
his family’s theater, O’Neill’s business
partner Richard Dolce also serves as the
theater’s artistic director. O’Neill recalls
an immediate trust and mutual respect
with Dolce, evidenced by how quickly
they moved forward with the purchase of
the theater and by the strength of their
ELEGANCE. You won’t find theater-
goers crammed against a linoleum bar
ordering tiny drinks at intermission.
Lending to the ambiance of John W.
Engeman Theater are the elegant
comforts found in some of the best
venues, such as its wood-paneled cock-
tail lounge and custom glassware that
can be taken into the theater.
FUN. The appealing blend of Broadway
musicals, dramas, and comedies
combined with a delicious meal at one
of the area’s many restaurants creates
the perfect date night or social outing.
the house was required to follow the
same standards as theaters on Broadway.
Slated to open as early as fall 2019, the
hotel-restaurant will not only complement
partnership since.
“I met him in December of 2005 and
bought the theater six months later. People
thought we knew each other 25 years,”
O’Neill remembered. “Now I work to fill
the seats and Rich gets them to come back.
We’ve always known our roles very clearly.”
Also integral in O’Neill’s growth is the
longstanding relationship he’s enjoyed
with Ed Blaskey, Sterling National Bank’s
Executive Vice President and Market
President for Long Island. When O’Neill
was looking for a trusted financial
partner to help him navigate the hotel
purchase and renovations, he reached
“We’re excited about the project and appreciate the
Northport community for supporting the theater for the
past 12 years and for supporting this new project going
forward.” – KEVIN O’NEILL
ENCORE
O’Neill wasn’t a regular theatergoer when THE NORTHPORT HOTEL. O’Neill’s
he entered the business, so he understood next move is a planned 24-room boutique
the need to create an experience for hotel and restaurant on Main Street
the masses that was so affordable and directly across from the theater. What
attractive that it would build loyalty in is currently a dated office building will
a way the marketing dollar couldn’t. He be replaced with a multi-million dollar,
also knew a strong customer base could best in class structure after a series of
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out to Blaskey, who had recently joined
Sterling’s Long Island division.
“The team that Ed assembled and
that I’m working with on a day-to-day
basis has been excellent,” he said of Sean
Umhafer, Dan Liberty, and Lisa Congemi.
“They are so helpful and transparent,
and I look forward to continuing to build
these relationships.”