UPDATE: Lisa Schepps of KOOP-FM interviews Musical Director David Blackburn and some of the cast: Derek Smootz (El Gallo), Eve Alonzo (The Girl), Matt Boehm (the Boy), Rebecca Stokinger (Bellemy) and Kirk Kelso (Huckleby) and they sing numbers from the show. "Off Stage and On the AIr," April 5Found on-line:
present
The Fantasticks
by Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt
directed by Barbara Schuler
musical direction by David Blackburn
March 26 - April 11, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Matinee on Sunday, April 11 at 3 p.m.
Click Here to make Reservations
Crystal Falls Playhouse, 10960 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander
"Try To Remember" a time when this romantic charmer wasn't enchanting audiences around , the world. The Fantasticks is the longest-running production of any kind in the world, and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. Its moving tale of young lovers who become disillusioned, only to discover a more mature, meaningful love is punctuated by a bountiful series of catchy, memorable songs, many of which have become standards.
Featuring Derek Smootz, Eve G. Alonzo, Matt Boehm, Kirk Kelso, Rebecca Stokinger, Michelle Stuckey, Fred Bothwell, and Mark Butler
View video of scene with the two actors, Henry and Mortimer (6min. 20 sec.) at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .
We’ve all heard of, and enjoyed, the big production musicals staged in grand style at Bass Concert hall… but this weekend my wife and I came upon a wonderful discovery in a small, unassuming theater in rural Leander. For a very affordable $20/person, we thoroughly enjoyed the “Way Off Broadway Community Players” production of “The Fantasticks.”
ReplyDeleteAfter a 15 minute drive from Austin to the northwest, we found the theater and a thoroughly pleasant group of enthusiastic folks selling tickets and candy and popcorn… and equally charming theater with seats that practically put you on the stage.
But the real find was the show. A relatively small, but very enthusiastic cast gave an excellent performance of a superb musical comedy. Everyone will immediately recognize the show opener (the beautiful “Try to Remember”) well performed by Derek Smootz — who made a splendidly rakish narrator and pirate [El Gallo]. Overall, this somewhat bittersweet and highly entertaining love story is enhanced by outstanding vocal and instrumental performances. Nonetheless, one of the most interesting characters (and characterizations) is the Mute played by Michelle Stuckey. On stage almost all evening, Michelle doesn’t speak a word, but her highly articulated expressions are a delight — keep an eye on her! And the comic team of Fred Bothwell and Mark Butler is an absolute hoot, providing slapstick counterpoint to the romance as the somewhat disoriented and disreputable “Henry” and “Mortimer”.
We had a terrific evening — indeed, we had so much fun that we offered to watch the grandkids so that our daughter and son-in-law could visit the show next weekend.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, and a bit less glitzy than the usual Broadway musical, I strongly recommend a bit of true Americana at the Crystal Falls Playhouse in Leander (www.wobcp.org) — but hurry, they only have a couple of weekends left.