The Barnstormers has chosen one of Theater's most sparkling gems to close its 2005 season. The Fantasticks - the world's longest running musical - opens on Tuesday, August 23 and closes Saturday, August 27. Curtain is at 8:00 p.m. each night with a special 3:00 p.m. matinee slated for Saturday, the 27th. Dan Rubinate directs as part of the celebration of his 50th year as a Barnstormer. Three new talents bring their all-star voices to round out the gifts of Barnstormers veterans.
The play tells the story of a boy, Matt, and a girl, Luisa, and their two fathers who have concocted a wall ostensibly to keep the children from seeing each other. But the secret is that the fathers know that by erecting the wall they are actually driving the children together: this is their hope. To help fuel the faux feud, the fathers enlist the exotic and dashing El Gallo to kidnap Luisa so that Matt can rescue her and play the hero. By the end of Act I, everybody is happy and looks seamless in a moonlight night. But Act IIıs morning dawns too bright as Matt and Luisa go out into the world and are exposed to a healthy dose of realism. Both learn a more realistic but deeper meaning of love and of life. And they return home only to see each other more clearly than ever.
"The Fantasticks is a play about hope," said Bob Shea, Interim Artistic Director for The Barnstormers 75th celebratory year. "It reflects in the gentlest way life's offer of hope, disillusionment, and hope once more. It is the essence of life's sweetness and bitterness. It can't be said any better than it is in its hallmark song, Try to Remember, without a hurt, the heart is hollow. I can't imagine anyone leaves the theater without feeling that swell of hope."
To attest to its timeless stature, The Fantasticks opened in May of 1960 and ran until January, 2002, making it the longest-running musical in history. There were 17,162 performances at New York's Sullivan Theater, and the play has been performed in more than 11,000 productions in 2000 cities and towns. It has been seen in 67 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The original 44 investors received a 19,465 return on their $16,500 investment. The play is a collaboration by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones. Jones created the lyrics many of which are offered in poetic form. Schmidt's infinitely hummable musical score boasts favorites such as Try to Remember, Soon Itıs Gonna Rain, and Metaphor. Under the direction of Bret Silverman, The Barnstormers will offer a simple harp and piano to accompany the cast voices. The Fantasticks is loosely based on Edmond Rostand's (of Cyrano de Bergerac fame) 1894 play Les Romanesques.
Dan Rubinate was already a seasoned favorite with The Barnstormers when The Fantasticks debuted in 1960. Besides his work with The Barnstormers, he shoulders a stunning resume of performance, including Broadway performances alongside Dame Judith Anderson, Maurice Evans, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He performed in numerous television dramas and his talent offers wide-ranging work from serious drama to outrageous comedy. Barnstormer audiences have loved him throughout the years in numerous roles from playwrights such as Checkov, Shaw, Ibsen, and seen him in beloved favorites such as Mrs. Temple's Telegram and Toad of Toad Hall. And while he has seen and worked with some of the greats of theater, he continues to love his Barnstormers home. This season is truly a celebration of his 50 years with the theater.
Rubinate directs three talented newcomers to The Barnstormers. Matt is being played by Boston Conservatory grad Julian Reyes who croons his talents from work at Trinity Repertory Theater, the Maine State Music Theater, and Papermill Playhouse. Christina Harrop brings her stage and operatic experience to one of her favorite roles Luisa. Harrop has performed with the Boston Lyric Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Central City Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera. Anthony von Halle plays El Gallo and has worked extensively in New York City including stints at the Abington Theater, 42nd St. Studios, Urban Stages, the Greenwich St. Theatre, and Worklight Theater.
Dale Place and Will Cabell will bring their wit and stage wisdom to Bellomy and Hucklebee, Luisa and Matt's fathers, and David Brown and Cope Murray will reprise their hysterical roles as Mortimer, the Extra, and Henry, the Ancient Actor. Pam Rogers aptly plays the mute a silent, but critical role that adds much to the charm and atmosphere of the play.
The play's seemingly simple set is designed by Judy Staicer, who debuts her designing talents at The Barnstormers this summer. Staicer brings an MFA in scenery, lighting, and costume design from Carnegie Mellon, and has worked in venues such as Stoneham Theatre, Gloucester Stage Company, Boston Lyric Opera, and Lewiston, Maine's, Public Theatre. Karen Perlow creates the lighting atmosphere, while Sandra King creates the costumes.
Tickets are $25 for orchestra and $20 for balcony seats for the evening performances. Matinee tickets are $12.00 for Saturday, August 27ıs performance. Group rates are available. The theater is handicapped accessible and air-conditioned. The Fantasticks is fine for any theater-going age, though the theme lends itself to teenagers and older. Please call (603) 323-8500 to reserve your tickets.
For more information:
Donna Woodward
207 935-3959
