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Full Cast and Company of The Fantasticks at The Pasadena Playhouse. Photo by: Jim Cox Photography
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In 1960 Tom Jones (Book and Lyrics) (not Tom, the singer: "It’s not Unusual"
Tom) and Harvey Schmidt (Musical Score) were coaxed from obscurity to refine a one act musical
they had worked on as college students to present Off Broadway: a romance in two acts. For over fifty years and 3,000
productions in almost every country in the world, The Fantasticks has brought
to life the scheming of parents to bring their children together by just saying,
“No!” Before the
Pasadena Playhouse was shuttered from 1969 to 1985, a student production of the
play was presented in the annex that now houses a restaurant that is part of
the Playhouse complex. These many
years later, director Seema Seuko, has resurrected the show by deliberately
changing up the casting to include representatives of many diverse ethnicities
pointing up that it’s the heart of the material performed by a heart felt cast
with simple piano on stage accompaniment by music arranger / pianist David O
and occasional harp interludes by Liesl Erman that bring the show to life. Conversely, The Fantasticks continues
its run Off Broadway East (NYC!) with a more traditional cast including Madison
Parks as Luisa, the daughter of my friend, Garrett Parks. I mention this for a reason that will become clear in a
moment.
David F. Weiner’s elaborate yet dilapidated set breaks
tradition by not exhibiting a large flying drop featuring “The Fantasticks”
painted upon it. This is
substituted by what looks to be the remains of a circus tent. The up stage wall opens to the blue sky
as our cast of characters are brought in stealthily by The Mute (lithe Alyse
Rockett). All the choreography is finely tuned by Kitty McNamee. To do this show in the rustic
remains of an old playhouse reminds us of the last time The Fantasticks was
presented here so many years ago.
As El Gallo (elegant and slightly restrained Philip Anthony Rodriguez)
addresses the audience with the first and possibly the most memorable tune of
the show, “Try to Remember.. “ As he sings, we are gently lulled into the story
of first love, young love, heart ache and heart break that has kept this
exquisite play alive for all these years.
Having actually paid to see an abysmal production of the show a few
months ago, having the Playhouse bring it to life properly is pure
enjoyment. This creative approach with
the ethnic mix of a Eurasian Luisa (Ashly Park in slightly forced operatic
tones), homegrown white boy, Matt (Conor Guzman, with a slightly more relaxed
approach), his Japanese dad Hucklebee (Gedde Watanbe) and Luisa’s father Bellomy
(African American Regi Davis), we immediately accept that it’s the story not
the ethnicities of the actors that will bring the play to life. Director Sueko, points up in her
program notes that in our current age of domestic strife and wars around the
world, this story of conflict is a tempest in a teapot that mirrors, if only
slightly how, if we make an effort, differences can be over come and peace may
guide the planet (to coin a phrase…) “and love may steer the stars.”
For those who are not familiar with the story, suffice it to
say that every plot must have some twists. Ours is twisted by the tail to the great joy of the audience
as El Gallo hires Henry Albertson (Wonderful.. Hal Linden), an actor of Some Repute
with his protégé and side kick, Mortimer (Amir Tala, who momentarily steals the
show) whose specialty is
‘dying!’ At Henry’s command to
show his stuff, Tala, mimes an entire scene of preparing a poison potion,
getting the glasses mixed up and..
voila.. ker plunk! Applause.
A few opening night hesitations were not conspicuous and the
flow of the two acts that brings the audience to its feet makes this a favorite
that is not to be missed. Subtle changes to the play with Tom Jones and The Rape Song were acceptable.
Additional insights and moments to remember are installed in the small gallery
just off the courtyard where props and costumes are ready for silly selfies and
the history of the show from its early beginnings are all on display.
Try to remember the last time you sat
in the theatre for two hours and left feeling that the time had flown by and not yet
deep in December the art and craft of Theatre with a capital “T” had left
something warm and honest in your heart.
It’s all about the heart. Jones
and Schmidt bring that heart to life..
I mentioned Maddie Parks earlier. She is the living
heir to her family tradition, now playing Luisa nightly in New York, as
her grandmother did theatre there so long ago. I wanted to make a note of her name because you will hear it
more often and with great praise as time goes on.
Do not miss this production. It’s absolutely a tribute to the tradition of The Fantasticks many
times over.
THE FANTASTICKS
by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt
The Pasadena Playhouse
39 S. El Molino
Pasadena, CA 91101
Through October 2, 2016
For tickets and information:
626 356 7529
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
