Mansfield Music and Arts Society's current show
is "The Fantasticks" a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics
by Tom Jones. The show opened on May 3, 1960 off-Broadway, ran for 17,162
performances, closing on January 13, 2002. It tells an allegorical story,
loosely based on the play "Les Romanesques" by Edmond Rostand, concerning
two fathers who put up a wall between their house to ensure that their
children fall in love, because they know that children always do what their
parents forbid. Seeking to end the charade, the fathers hire the services of
a rogue (El Gallo, who is also the play's narrator) and a roving actor and
his sidekick to stage a phony "abduction of Luisa so that Matt can rescue
her. In the aftermath of this successful scheme, however, both the boy and
girl experience hardships along the way. They rediscover their love for each
other and try to develop a more mature relationship. Director Jennifer
Mischley infuses her cast with necessary energy to play these roles and
music director Shannon Manley obtains some terrific vocals from this
multitalented cast, creating a terrific musical treat for their audience
members.
Jen's direction is wonderful from start to finish. She makes this
well known show, fresh and alive for current day audiences.) Jen and I
appeared in "The Fantasticks together back in 1996 where she played Luisa
and I played Henry.) Shannon taught the cast the gorgeous harmonic numbers
and plays the keyboard beautifully for all of them. Jen and Gary Poholek's
colorful set help to create the fun filled intimate atmosphere for this show
with different shades of blue. Playing El Gallo is Michael Duarte. His
strong baritone voice carries the well known song "Try to Remember" as well
as the powerful duet "I Can See It" with Matt and the sinister "Round and
Round" with Luisa while Matt is tortured on his world travels. He shows off
his comic side during the abduction scene with Henry and Mortimer and during
the abduction song "It Depends on What You Pay". Newlywed couple Paul and
Staci Morin play Matt and Luisa perfectly, capturing the character's
innocent love in Act 1 and their renewed love at the end of Act 2. Their
glorious tenor and soprano voices soar off the charts with their musical
numbers including "Metaphor", "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "They Were You",
one of the loveliest ballads in the show. Staci is a stunning blonde
who's first number is "Much More" which shows off her lovely voice
splendidly while Paul's voice shines in the belting "I Can See It" duet with
Michael. They also do an excellent job on the quartet jazz song "This Plum
is Too Ripe" with the two fathers. The mime is this show is fantastically
played by Atia Gravely. Her expressive face and actions throughout the show
are dynamite and keep your attention at all times.
The comic fathers, Hucklebee and Bellomy are played wonderfully by
Jon Warriner and Glen Fournier. They are very funny with their antics of
trying to get their kids together by pretending to feud with each other.
Their Spanish style song "Never Say No" and their vaudeville type song
"Plant a Radish" are show stopping numbers. Jon and Glen also sing with
Michael in the Abduction song and with Paul and Staci in "The Plum is Too
Ripe". The two biggest scene stealers of this show are Bruce Church as Henry
and Ken Butler as Mortimer who enter and exit through a huge trunk. They
abduct Luisa in Act 1 and help to torture Matt in Act 2. Bruce spouts
screwed up Shakespearean lines while wanting to show everyone his press
notices for shows done many years ago. Ken as the Indian has been dying on
stage for 40 years. They are a hoot in these madcap roles. So for a musical
treat, be sure to catch this topnotch version of "The Fantasticks" at MMAS.
Tell them Tony sent you.
THE FANTASTICKS (11 - 20 May, 2007)
MMAS, 30 Crocker Street, Mansfield, MA
