Fantasticks Cast Standing from left: Sean McGrath, Bill Osman, Emily Applebaum, Benjamin Menahem, Brent Tuccillo, Peter Saurer and Matthew Cassidy; kneeling, Jina Nam. (Photo by Robert Terrano.)
PinnWorth Productions is set to present “The Fantasticks” Fridays, September 25 and Octobert 2 at 8 p.m., Saturdays, September 26 and Octobert 3 at 8 p.m. and Sundays, September 27 and October 4 at 2 p.m. Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC)’s Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew is set to follow the opening night show on September 25, 2015.
Drawing on plot elements reminiscent of Shakespeare and Rostand, “The Fantasticks” chronicles the budding romance between a boy named Matt and his neighbor Luisa. Their fathers hatch a plot to bring them together by appearing to be feuding, knowing the teens will be even more drawn to each other if they believe their love to be forbidden. They do fall in love, but are then separated by family events and their need to mature and explore the world. When the lovers finally reunite, they possess a deeper understanding of life and an even greater appreciation of each other.
With book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, the original Off-Broadway production at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village premiered in 1960 and ran for a record-breaking 17,162 performances over 42 years. After closing in 2002, a revival directed by Jones opened in 2006 at The Theater Center, where it continues to captivate theater-goers almost ten years later.
The show is packed with familiar tunes, including the memorable songs “Try to Remember,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” and “I Can See It.” The cast features Matthew Cassidy of Morrisville, Pa., and Peter Sauer of Yardley, Pa., as the Old Actors (Mortimer and Henry); Benjamin Menahem of Plainsboro as El Gallo, the narrator; Brent Tuccillo of Hamilton and Emily Applebaum of Lawrenceville as young lovers Matt and Luisa; Jina Nam of New York City as The Mute; and Sean McGrath of Churchville, Pa., and Bill Osman of North Brunswick as the scheming fathers, Huck and Bell. The production team includes director LouJ Stalsworth, set and costume designer Kate Pinner and choreographer Koren Zander. Lighting design and publicity photographs are by Robert Terrano and the stage manager is Nicole Schulnick. Calla Tisdale and Dennis Tolentino are assistant stage managers.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $16 for students and children. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at (609) 570-3333.
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