Berwyn, PA – Footlighters Theater continues their commitment to the theatrical arts with a production of THE FANTASTICKS, opening October 16th and closing on November 7th after 12 performances. Directed by David Ben Leavitt with musical direction by Joseph Erdeljac, THE FANTASTICKS is a wondrous love story filled with music and moonlight.
THE FANTASTICKS is the world’s longest running musical. It has delighted audiences on stages all over the world from its premiere in 1960 to performances today. The story concerns two neighboring fathers, Hucklebee and Bellomy, who trick their children, Matt and Luisa, into falling in love by pretending to feud. This enthralling allegory illuminates the many facets of love. Fathers will be fathers and children will be children, but complications abound when one meddles with the other.
“It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of mimicking the original production of THE FANTASTICKS, such as treating the show as an archetypal boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl,” explains Director David Ben Leavitt. “But THE FANTASTICKS is a richly-imagined work with layers of meaning. Delving into these, while remaining true to the style of the play, yields a performance with depth as well as tradition.”
When asked about casting, Leavitt says, “Although there are only eight players, each is integral to the success of the show. I feel very fortunate to have had many talented people audition for this production, so that my choices were based not only on the actor’s raw ability but how he or she fit with the others in the cast. THE FANTASTICKS is an ensemble show, and we have an outstanding group of actors who have bonded into a wonderful ensemble.”
THE FANTASTICKS features some of musical theatre’s most memorable songs, including “Try to Remember,” the anthem of THE FANTASTICKS, “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” the song of the two lovers that foreshadows their coming troubles, and “They Were You,” the lovers’ final ballad. But, as Director David Ben Leavitt points out, the score is full of glorious melodies which are less well known.
“From the innocence of ‘Much More’ to the cynicism of ‘This Plum is Too Ripe’ and the gentle humor of ‘Plant a Radish;’ don’t neglect the songs that haven’t made it to the Hit Parade; they’ll reward your attention,” says Leavitt.
Celebrating its 87th season, Footlighters Theater is the Main Line’s oldest community theater. Footlighters Theater is located at 58 Main Avenue, Berwyn. Tickets can be purchased online. Please visit www.footlighterstheater.com.
Photo attached.
Ryan Simme of Downingtown as Matt and Michelle Intoccia of Chester Springs as Luisa in Footlighters Theater’s production of The Fantasticks. Photo by Ethan O’Grady.
Show Information
Show Dates:
October 16 & 17: 8 PM
October 18: 2 PM
October 23 & 24: 8 PM
October 25: 2 PM
October 30 & 31: 8 PM
November 1: 2 PM
November 5, 6 & 7: 8 PM
Cast:
Peter Hayes as “El Gallo” (the Narrator)
Michelle Intoccia as “Luisa” (The Girl)
Ryan Simme as “Matt” (The Boy)
Ron Hamaday as “Hucklebee” (The Boy’s Father)
Steve Kuerschner as “Bellomy” (The Girl’s Father)
Andrew Maksymowych as “Henry” (The Old Actor)
Dan Rueckle as “Mortimer” (The Man Who Dies)
Christy Fleshman as “The Mute.”
Tickets:
Tickets can be purchased online. Please visit www.footlighterstheater.com.
Theater/Organization Footlighters Theater
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.footlighterstheater.com
Theater/Organization Address: 58 Main Avenue Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (610) 296-9245
