The Fantasticks Plays on the The Arts Barn Stage

The Fantasticks, a critically-accalaimed musical by Tom Jones and Harvery Schmidt is playing on The Arts Barn stage from now until April 17, 2011. Performances are Friday-Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.

A Rockville Little Theatre production, the play is a long-time favorite. Officially "the world's longest running musical," The Fantasticks got its start in New York City and ran at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village for well over half a century. During the weeks before the production's closing in 2002, people went to see it in droves eager not to miss the chance to take part in musical theatre history.

This is a perfect play for community theatre because of its small cast, vibrant and recognizable music, and minimal set. The Rockville Little Theatre production features a backdrop of two houses divided by a stone wall.

The classic Romeo and Juliet theme of two houses divided by a feud drives the plot with a unique American twist inspired by French literature. Jones and Schmidt based their musical on Rostand's Les Romanesques or The Romantics.

Beyond its American success, the musical has enjoyed international acclaim and adaptation with German, Russian and even Chinese versions. The Chinese version ran in Beijing just before the historic Tianneman Square events.

The original script of the play makes liberal use of the word "rape." Intended in the classical sense of the term - to abduct - the term has sparked controversy among modern audiences and has necessitated some revisions to the original script. For those unfamiliar with the storyline, the section of the play dealing with the infamous rape is also the prelude to the unexpected turning point in the plot of The Fanstasticks. 

The cast includes Chad Wheeler as El Gallo; Sarah Lasko as Luisa; Carl Williams as Matt; Celia Blitzer as Bellomy; Gary Carl Fackenthall as Hucklebee; J. Christopher Penick as Henry; Jack P. Wassell as Mortimer; and Janice Sierra as The Mute.

The crew includes Alden Michaels, Director/Choreographer; Jim Eustice, Producer; Rachel Styles, Stage Manager; Benjamin Yeung, Musical Director; Rachel Carlson, Vocal Director; Lauren L. Evans, Set Design/Construction; Rick Swink, Lightin Design; Celia Blitzer, Costume Design; and Toni Goldber, Production Consultant.

The backstage orchestra is made up of Benjamin Yeung on Piano, Wendy E. Willis on Harp, and Jeff Albo on Percussion.

To learn more about Rockville Little Theatre, click here.

To learn more about The Arts Barn Theater and purchase tickets, click here.