Charles J. Gill in The Ritz Theatre Co. "The Fantatasticks"

Charles J. Gill (Bellamy) is pleased to be working with such a talented cast and production team, reprising the role of Bellamy, a role that is near and dear to his heart, having appeared in The Fantasticks over one hundred and thirty-eight times in ten plus different productions throughout the tri-state area!

Coincidentally, three of these productions have been with his dear friend, Ritz Theatre Producing Artistic Director Bruce Curless.

"This run is exciting because it’s new. The cast (with the exception of Bruce and myself) are fresh and have never performed or directed this theatrical gem before.

That freshness brings along with it a newness and excitement which then leads to a different perspective you can not help but appreciate as an actor.

I guess you could say I've matured into the role. The words take on a whole new meaning with your sons all grown, having five grandchildren and the final being married this summer and fall. (I've also noticed, I have had to use less and less hair whitener as these 'Fantastick Opportunities' present themselves.)

I am truly enjoying the process and looking forward to closing the curtain on my SJ theatre career on a stage where I've done some fine work and have always felt welcomed and sharing it once again with a friend whom I so admire."

Director Matt Weil agrees: “I think one of the intriguing things that makes The Fantasticks timeless, and is a credit to its enduring nature, is that you can see it at various different stages of your life and always find it new again. What the audience takes away from the show grows and changes with age, making it timeless and refreshingly new every time!”

The Fantasticks is part of the Ritz Theatre Company's June Theatre Festival, now running, through this Saturday June 16.

The Fantasticks on The Ritz Theatre Co. website