How Did "The FANTASTICKS!" Theater Musical Romance run a record 42 years & 17,000 Shows-Because IT IS FANTASIC!-& Now here in SCR Theater's Spectacular Production

Theatre
Review: Patch...Pulse Of Worthy/Reachable
EVENTS

The Fantasticks…Why Did A Lil' Off-Broadway Musical Play Last 42 Yrs & Over 17,000 Showings?
-- Because IT IS Indeed Fantastic !!                                                

Review By:
Joseph Sirota

 

It's a bit hard to describe The Fantasticks. No; not due to being poor in any way, but because
it's So, Darn GOOD as so many ways, that it's a challenge to fully describe
"what kind of show" to call it. Is it a play?-Yes. Is it a
Musical?-Yes. Is it a Comedy?-Yes. Is it a Touching Family Tale?-Yup, Is it a
Fantasy?... That too!... & lots more. 
Here's a hint to assure you of getting your Money & Time's Worth, in
seeing this South Coast Rep (SCR) "Warmly Brilliant" Production".
It's a Fable, a Romance, a Fairy-Tale, a Musical, a clever Comedy, a wise Psychological
Primer, a Dazzling View of Parents' attempts to steer kids' lives(yeah, good-luck!)
& an ultimate Sharp-Illumination that even true love's magnetic sizzling early-on,
can face short-circuits as we are built to wonder "what we mighta'
done" along the "other-dreamy road-not-taken". Seemingly a new
Romeo & Juliet families feud at first, young blossoming neighbor GIRL &
neighbor BOY are actually wanted to mate by their Dads, who are betting Kids
always do the opposite (hence they built the Keep-Away Fence. Well it almost
worked if dads could refrain from ego talk, & then thing they find sure
enough those deeply in love teens soon are having second thoughts about Dad's
tricks, & become swept away by "sirens" of "tuff & shady Guys &
Gals" beyond the planned world Dads
would pick for them. They find there's many a winding path (& Pains/Losses)
near hell. The Real-World's harsh lessons make Home a gift!

 

There are 8 roles in the play--but
so busy & changing, they seem like 20 in author Tom Jones' zig-zag wise
tale. Charming music by Harvey Schmidt adoringly 40+ years later, still fits love
and dreams beautifully, lighting up the fine, indeed staging, magic, sets,
performances & sag, one might think silly, is so touchingly, heartfelt, we
all recall our early loves, too. Very touching music with a cast of far better
than average singer/actors triples our being mesmerized & captivated plus
splendidly swaying with every flying by feeling. The Musical trio & their Director,
Dennis Castellano, together with the warm, winning voices & delivery by
each actor, make this a quite more powerful musical compared to even huge
Broadway Musicals. A roaring tip of the hat surely goes to Director, Amanda
Dehnert, who gets the very most of every minute, story-turn, & changes of
place & feelings. The set design by Eugene Lee, similarly turns a modest
size stage into a backyard, a circus, & many scary life pot-holes beckoning
challenges to us if we stray from Home & warmth.

 

Here's
a quick look at the cast I wouldn't change a hair or note of.    

The
Young Loving/Growing neighbors: Addi McDaniel (D GIRL) & Anthony Carillo
(D. BOY). She's a perfect Princess,
Girl/Woman, & He's a real Boyish/Man we "Follow" growing
each life minute. We route for their lovely duets & dreams. Their ability
to convince us of inner, outer & swaying feelings is crucial, & works!  Scott Waara -Father of GIRL) & Gregory North ( -Father
of BOY) are a wonderful "Odd Couple". They agree about nothing in
their gardens, or water, nor did they agree to "spill the beans" to
their kids (a fool turn). They are each natural comedic line deliverers, &
deliver excellent vocals/songs just as giftedly--standing
for All Dads.  

Perry Ojeda (El Gallo) & Nate Dendy (The Mute)
are dynamic aces of bigger-than-life men of physicality, warriors, clowns,
& magicians at the nearby Rocky
Point Amusement
Park, a true symbol of the opposite of the staid
backyards & tranquility of The GIRL, BOY & DADS.  Here, anything can happen, & often does.
It's "The Outside World" of imagination and reaching for the Brass Ring
of Life's Payoffs, every day. El Gallo is loud, sexy & on the edge of
drawing his sword, ala Zorro, strong, captivating ladies' lover & men's
warrior. The mute played by Dendy is most amazing. He's a gentle, wizard that
speaks not in worlds, but uncanny sorcery & mime & outstanding facial
& body movement. El Gallo Sings/Dances while Mute "appears"  as needed.  

Richard Doyle
(Henry) & Hal Landon Jr. (Mortimer) are
beloved Founding Artists of SCR & have played every parts imaginable with
grace, power, pain & wonderful comedic styles that span decades & parts
from Shakespeare to A Christmas Carol to new theater works'
world premiers. No better diverse actors could play El Gallo's hired actors to
show our innocent GIRL & BOY the endless things they may run
into in our world. They shine every moment on stage.

What can outdo a trip through
LOVE & LIFE via beautiful music & unbeatable Words & Mimes.

=> The Fantasticks @ South Coast Rep, 600
Town Ctr Dr, Costa Mesa.
Sched: Sun, Tue, Weds evenings @ 7:30pm, Thurs thru Sat eves at 8:pm, Sat &
Sun matinees @ 2:30pm Closes June 9. Tkts: $23-Up/student,/teacher/senior/group
discounts. (714) 708-5555  or   Online: 
www.scr.org