The Fantasticks
April 20, 2012 – April 22, 2012
The show’s original run was at the Sullivan Street Playhouse, in the West Village. The new run is at the Snapple Theater Center, or according to the awning…the All Natural Snapple Theater Center. The center, though all natural, does not have the old-Greenwich Village charm. Then again, for Times Square, it’s as charming as it gets. The show’s home, which is at the Center, is the Jerry Orbach Theater who was in the original cast. The lobby, fittingly, is a Museum of “The Fantasticks” and Jerry Orbach. It has posters from Broadway shows that starred Orbach, like “Chicago,” and from “Fantasticks” productions like one that starred Liza Minnelli in Connecticut. The interior of the theater eerily resembles that of the Playhouse. I checked to make sure that I wasn’t blocking F. Murray Abraham. It has 199 seats, just over fifty more than before. It has the same tiny plank stage with the same white-sheet curtain. Maybe the exact same. (ed. note: the Auburn Public Theater, where a new production of The Fantasticks will play in April (www.thefantasticks.org) 2012 has exactly 199 seats, also) Everything is simple, for it is a show about simplicity, and the bonehead things everyone always does to complicate it. It’s a little love story, punctuated with tenacious burlesque humor and sprinkled with gentle, wistful songs that might be quaint but aren’t dated. The props consist of a watering can, shears, wooden sticks, and confetti. The cast consists of eight actors. The orchestra is a harp and a piano. The whole lot would fit in the chandelier at “The Phantom of the Opera.” The show opened with its tinkling overture, the fluttering rainbow confetti, and the actors introducing themselves to the audience. Luisa, aka The Girl, popped up to me and cheeped “Hello!” I cheeped hello back. Whenever I go to this show, I play a pivotal role. My moment with The Girl would be the highlight, of course, but the show continued anyway, leading off with its most famous song, “Try to Remember.” The show proceeded as I remembered it, though maybe even more leisurely paced. A couple of those comedy scenes took enough time to do them twice. But you don’t come to this theater to see falling chandeliers or dancing animals or flying spider-men or even flying nannies. You come to see a little show that opened on May 3, 1960, and hung on long enough to pay its investors a return of 20,000 percent. Most of the credit goes to the creators, Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, for whom this was a follow-up to a college musical called “Hipsy-Boo!” Ever devoted to his masterwork, Jones directed the current production and for a long time played The Old Actor — which he had played in the original cast. But a musical needs more than its music to be running — even with a break — since the top salary in the major leagues was $80,000. “The Fantasticks” takes you back to simpler times yet remains timeless. Unlike that salary, which, if you’re wondering, was the take-home for Willie Mays. Our fourth visit took us back, though not as far as my first three. But I blame that on the girl next to me who kept texting in her purse. She was a rude reminder of digital antisocial behavior. Please God, please, make them turn their electronic devices, off, during the show! She wouldn’t have got away with that at the original show. Eisenhower wouldn’t have stood for it!
"The Fantasticks," is hosted by Carnytown Productions and Produced by Tom Hoey, with Simon Moody, Jack Sherman and Joel Weirick as co-producers. The Auburn production of "The Fantasticks" with book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt is now celebrating its 51st year.
This "longest-running musical in the world" is still delighting audiences at Snapple Theater Center which is a multi-theater entertainment complex located on the corner of 50th Street and Broadway in the heart of Times Square. The NYC production features Aaron Carter. With the hit songs "Try to Remember," "Soon it's Gonna Rain," and "I Can See It," this ever popular family musical has a story line that has had impact for nearly 6 decades! The story: Two fathers decide that they want their children to fall in love. The girl, Luisa, is a daydreamer with an active imagination. The boy, Matt, is a romantic. The two fathers decide to instigate a mock feud amongst themselves in order to help the boy and girl fall in love. They figure that this feud will give them the excuse to say no to the relationship, which of course will simply encourage the children's love even more. The fathers go as far as to hire El Gallo to stage a mock abduction of Luisa, in which Matt can become a hero and save her. After this act, Luisa and Matt fall deeply in love. Soon though, the children realize their parents staged the feud and their love fades away. Later, after both children experience a little life experience on their own and are hurt by it, they reunite once again with much less drama.
The show features direction by James Cantu, musical direction by Barbara Mushock, choreography by Yvonne Villano-Hassett and set design by Navroz Dabu.
Doors open at 7pm. Wine and Beer will be available with proper I.D., and snacks may be purchased during intermission.
The Fantasticks is normally produced in an intimate theatre setting and seating sales are limited to 175 per performance. On street parking is normally available and a covered parking garage is located steps from the theater entrance. Disability access is, also, available and can be arranged at time of advance purchase of tickets.
Carnytown Productions last presented the well received; "Prisoner of Second Avenue," at APT in Spring 2010. For more info on lodging, dining, shopping and other Auburn and Cayuga County activities, call 800-499-9615 or visit TOURCAYUGA.COM Read more: www.thefantasticks.org
The Fantasticks Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
April 20, 21 & 22
8pm Evenings and Matinee at 2
$25
