The production company “Theater To Go” kicked off their opening weekend of the rom-com The Fantasticks earlier this month at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre. The production put a new spin on the longest running show in America and showcased a broad spectrum of new actors in the Theater To Go catalog.
The production was directed by Ruth Markoe and consisted of a small cast. Markoe chose the play because of its “historic run and the universal themes it touches on: young love, parenting, seeking adventure and growing up.”
The play, originally written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, follows a couple of “star-crossed lovers” kept apart by their fathers and the wall that separates their two estates. Hucklebee (Tom Chiola) and Bellomy (Jim Morris) trick their children, Luisa (Christina Freeman) and Matt (Thomas Wick) into falling in love by contriving a false feud. The witty idea of “kids will do whatever their parents say no to” sparks the romance between Luisa and Matt in a Romeo and Juliet-esque love.
The narrator and conniving magician El Gallo (Matt Lafargue) opens the play explaining how Luisa is young, innocent and pretty, and thinks she is in love with her neighbor Matt who feels the same way for Luisa. The problem is that the fathers don’t know how to end their fake feud.
“The format of this show is different from the direct narrative style of other shows. I drew from the concepts of commedia dell’arte and street theater to bring universal characters and stories to an inclusive audience,” Markoe says.
Commedia dell’arte is an early form of Italian comedic theater that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It emphasizes ensemble acting and improvisations.
“The show grew from the 1960’s style of new wave theater which tended to be more experimental in its style,” says Markoe. The use of the character “Mute” as a prop for different areas of the play also added to the “street theater” feeling that was generated throughout the play.
Matt Lafargue, who plays El Gallo, says this was his first show at Kelsey Theater and his first show with director Ruth Markoe.
“I love this character because of how varied and nuanced he is. He’s a hero, villain, and narrator all in one,” says Lafargue. “As an actor, he presents an exciting series of challenges.”
El Gallo is definitely the most interesting character in the whole play. His villainy, dancing, singing and stage combat keeps the audience intrigued throughout the entire two acts. These opportunities were what also drew Lafargue to the part.
“Almost everything an actor could want to do on stage, El Gallo gets to do it,” says Lafargue.
“We get the grand, epic love story with the big happy ending, but that’s only act one,” Lafargue says. “In act two, real life sets in. Relationships take work, and sacrifice, and pain in order to last long term, and ‘The Fantasticks’ nails that in a way few musicals do.”
Thomas Wick, who played one half of the couple, performed in Kelsey Theatre’s production of Camp Rock in 2012, as a part of the Tomato Patch program. Tomato Patch is a multi-disciplinary summer arts camp at Kelsey Theatre. Junior and Senior high school students spend several weeks of their summer learning a wide array of fine and visual arts under the guise of professionals.
Tom Chiola, who plays Hucklebee, encouraged Wick to audition for the role of Matt in Theater To Go’s play, after the pair performed in Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Newtown Theatre, alongside musical director Susan den Outer.
“I had never heard of The Fantasticks before auditioning, but Tom spoke very highly of it along with my various Cinderella cast members,” says Wick. “So, I gave it a go and Ruth and Sue were pleased with my audition and offered me the role. I’m glad they did because this has to be my favorite role I’ve done.”
Wick enjoyed The Fantasticks simple plot, and the dreamlike manner in which it was directed.
“The musical numbers, shifting set pieces, and our amazing orchestra elevate this narrative tremendously,” Wick says.
The Fantasticks was also the first time that Wick worked with director Ruth Markoe.
“She is a wonderful director and knows how to bring out great performances in all of us,” says Wick.
Markoe wants people to come and see this play because of the universal themes that will resonate across generations.
“My daughter said that growing up she would hear me sing the songs from The Fantasticks and although she enjoyed them as a teenager, now understands them differently as a parent.” says Markoe.
The Fantasticks is a tender, sweet and nutty story of how two nerdy lovers learn about the world and love. The breezy and inventive score, including songs like “Try To Remember”, made the show memorable and added another successful show to the Kelsey Theatre catalog.
