Calendar

ACT 2 Theatre Co. presents "The Fantasticks"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The ACT 2 Theatre Company Contact: Lydia Mong (304-476-6742) or Jerry McKeen (304-931-4424) http://act2theatre.org

SUMMARY Event: THE FANTASTICKS When: October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 2014 Time: Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sunday at 2:00 pm Where: Friedlander's Center (home of Starving Artists Studio), 354 West Main Street, Clarksburg, WV Seats: $12 Reservations: email via act2theatre@gmail.com (preferred) or leave a message at 304-918-0010 with name, date of show, and number in party. Photographs could be taken during rehearsals on September 24, 25, 26, 30 and October 1 at the Friedlander's Center. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fantasticks, a musical by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, has the notable title of "world's longest running musical." And now, it will be run in Clarksburg by the ACT 2 Theatre Company at the Friedlander’s Center on Main Street. Based upon a late 19th century play by Edmond Rostand called Les Romanesques (The Romancers) it is the story of young love complete with it’s naïveté. When their fathers conspire to have their children marry they hire the bandit El Gallo to stage an elaborate kidnapping that will allow the boy to be seen as the hero. All is a happy ending, or so it seems. But the romance under the moon soon appears differently under the bright light of day. After learning of their fathers’ deception, the boy and the girl part ways to journey toward maturity each in their own ways. They find each other again, but both with a very different view on life. The show opens October 2 and will run Thursday through Sunday until the final performance on October 12. Sunday performances are at 2:00 pm. All other performances are at 7:30 pm. Seats are $12. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via email at act2theatre@gmail.com (preferred) or by calling 304-918-0010. The Fantasticks is a family friendly show with great music and a wonderful local cast. Doug Seckman who recently played Sal in Holy Cannoli is the dashing El Gallo who is the narrator of the piece. Bekah James plays The Girl, Luisa. Dan Hawkins is The Boy, Matt. The fathers are hilariously played by Richie Stull and Hunter Riley. Local favorite Phyl Charnes is the Old Actor, Henry who has a sidekick named Mortimer (played by Callia Byard) who is an expert at dying on stage. The most unusual character in the cast is that of The Mute, also known as The Wall and is played with fluid grace by Jordan Kennedy Rea. Jerry McKeen, the director of the show, chose The Fantasticks because it is an important piece of American theatre has not been produced in this area for many years. The show was produced twice by the Clarksburg Art Center, first in 1971 (directed by Jerry McKeen) and later in early 1980s (directed by Dan Renz). It fits perfectly with ACT 2 Theatre’s mission to produce quality theatre experiences for the local audiences using available local and amateur talent. It also fits the Friedlander’s Center venue perfectly. McKeen says, "The music and story of this American classic are both memorable and meaningful and are sure to stimulate the warm, yet piercing, memories of real life experience for all of us.” The music for the show is under the expert direction of Joshua Stubbs who will also serve as accompanist for the show. Bethany Kalalau is the choreographer. A little history… The Fantasticks opened in 1960 with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones at a small off-Broadway theatre in Greenwich Village in New York City. It ran for 42 years making it the longest running musical ever. The show closed in 2002 after 17,162 performances, but it wasn’t long before a revival of the show was staged. In 2006, the show opened again, this time at the Snapple Center Theatre where it is still playing. It's longevity speaks for the timeless nature of the story—that of a boy and a girl, their meddling parents, the moon, some magic and some truly memorable songs. The Fantasticks is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684. The ACT 2 Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.