Sept 3 - Sept 20, 2008
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| Featuring the hit songs, "Try To Remember", "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "They Were You," THE FANTASTICKS has won acclaim the world over, making it the longest running musical in history -- 42 years from 1960 to 2002 musical comedy, musical romance, vaudeville and parable all rolled into one delightful, theatrical package. |
| Music by Harvey Schmidt |
| Lighting by Costumes by Production Stage Manager Directed by |
| CAST |
JOE CASCONE
ROGER LARIOS
ASHLEY GIBSON
DAVID HAINES
LARRY GIBBS
LARRY WESTLAKE
ANDREW BYRNE
JACK LY
MICHAEL WILMOT
ANDREW CHAN
SUSAN SANDERS
ROGER LARIOS
ASHLEY GIBSON
DAVID HAINES
LARRY GIBBS
LARRY WESTLAKE
ANDREW BYRNE
JACK LY
MICHAEL WILMOT
ANDREW CHAN
SUSAN SANDERS
| El Gallo Matt Luisa Bellomy Hucklebee Henry, the old actor Mortimer The Mute At the Piano At the Harp At Other Instruments |
September 10, 2008
Theatre review by Mark Andrew Lawrence
There’s an ethereal quality to The Fantasticks. Though the musical was written in the late 1950s and reflected some
of the sensibilities of its era, like any great theatrical piece it transcends time.
Jones adapted from the French play Les Romanesquesconnect with a broad spectrum of people, far beyond the
traditional theatre crowd. The original cast recording sold connect with a broad spectrum of people, far beyond the
traditional theatre crowd. The original cast recording sold millions of copies, and several songs from the score
became popular standards.
millions of copies, and several songs from the score became popular standards.
For all its international fame and success, the show never betrays its roots and the Civic Light Opera Company‘s new
production honours that tradition. Perfectly ensconced in the cozy confines of Fairview Library theatre, Joe Cascone’
s staging blends just the right amounts of romance, drama and comedy in this lightly allegorical fable about a son, a
daughter, two fathers and a wall.
Jack Ly plays the Wall in a mute role. He doesn’t get to sing but his presence contributes greatly to the magic. That
magic is also enhanced by harpist Andrew Chan. He along with the other members of the three-piece musical
ensemble, Michael Wilmot on piano and Susan Sanders on percussion, provide the proper romantic accompaniment.
Ashley Gibson and Roger Larios are the lovers. She captures a young girl’s breathless excitement at first love, while
he deftly portrays the young man’s wanderlust. Their duet of “Soon it’s Gonna Rain” late in the first act is exquisitely
sung and staged simply yet effectively.
Larry Gibbs and David Haines playing the young lovers fathers counterbalance what could be perceived as a fairly
saccharine love story. Their devious little plot to pretend to object to their children’s romance by staging a mock feud
drives the narrative. When their plan works they need a new plan to solve the feud. Enter El Gallo, portrayed by Joe
Cascone, who hires two bumbling actors played by Larry Westlake and Andrew Byrne to stage a mock abduction.
Cascone’s character also serves as narrator and he sings the most famous song “Try to Remember” with an earnest
sweetness.
The musical has lost none of its charm, and this production is enhanced by Gareth Crew’s delicate lighting. The
minimalist set may have originally been born of financial necessity in 1960 but brilliantly underscores the theatricality
of the piece.
That theatricality is what makes this particular production of The Fantasticks so winning, and a fine start to the Civic
Light Opera Company’s 30th anniversary season.
Theatre review by Mark Andrew Lawrence
There’s an ethereal quality to The Fantasticks. Though the musical was written in the late 1950s and reflected some
of the sensibilities of its era, like any great theatrical piece it transcends time.
Jones adapted from the French play Les Romanesquesconnect with a broad spectrum of people, far beyond the
traditional theatre crowd. The original cast recording sold connect with a broad spectrum of people, far beyond the
traditional theatre crowd. The original cast recording sold millions of copies, and several songs from the score
became popular standards.
millions of copies, and several songs from the score became popular standards.
For all its international fame and success, the show never betrays its roots and the Civic Light Opera Company‘s new
production honours that tradition. Perfectly ensconced in the cozy confines of Fairview Library theatre, Joe Cascone’
s staging blends just the right amounts of romance, drama and comedy in this lightly allegorical fable about a son, a
daughter, two fathers and a wall.
Jack Ly plays the Wall in a mute role. He doesn’t get to sing but his presence contributes greatly to the magic. That
magic is also enhanced by harpist Andrew Chan. He along with the other members of the three-piece musical
ensemble, Michael Wilmot on piano and Susan Sanders on percussion, provide the proper romantic accompaniment.
Ashley Gibson and Roger Larios are the lovers. She captures a young girl’s breathless excitement at first love, while
he deftly portrays the young man’s wanderlust. Their duet of “Soon it’s Gonna Rain” late in the first act is exquisitely
sung and staged simply yet effectively.
Larry Gibbs and David Haines playing the young lovers fathers counterbalance what could be perceived as a fairly
saccharine love story. Their devious little plot to pretend to object to their children’s romance by staging a mock feud
drives the narrative. When their plan works they need a new plan to solve the feud. Enter El Gallo, portrayed by Joe
Cascone, who hires two bumbling actors played by Larry Westlake and Andrew Byrne to stage a mock abduction.
Cascone’s character also serves as narrator and he sings the most famous song “Try to Remember” with an earnest
sweetness.
The musical has lost none of its charm, and this production is enhanced by Gareth Crew’s delicate lighting. The
minimalist set may have originally been born of financial necessity in 1960 but brilliantly underscores the theatricality
of the piece.
That theatricality is what makes this particular production of The Fantasticks so winning, and a fine start to the Civic
Light Opera Company’s 30th anniversary season.
| Pictured (left to right) Jack Ly, Joe Cascone (seated), Larry Gibbs, Roger Larios |