Nov 2 through Nov 17; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Sundays and some Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.
A shiny new production of The Fantasticks opens at the Firehouse Arts Center in downtown Pleasanton on Saturday, November 2, and plays weekends through November 17. Professional theater company Tri-Valley Repertory Theater brings the classic to life, presented through special arrangement with MTI (Music Theatre International).
The heart-warming musical proudly wears the crown for longest-running Broadway musical (over 42 years), with good reason. "At the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers," notes producer Kathleen Breedveld. "The result is a timeless fable of love that manages to be nostalgic and universal at the same time."
The story is both funny and romantic, and concerns two neighboring fathers who trick their children, Luisa and Matt, into falling in love by pretending to feud. The narrator, 'El Gallo,' asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic.
Tom Jones penned the lyrics, and Harvey Smith wrote the beautiful music, which includes "Try To Remember," among many other gems. The allegorical story is loosely based on the play The Romancers by Edmond Rostand (author of Cyrano de Bergerac), which draws on elements from Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and other iconic tales. Over 250 new productions continue to be staged every year. Come see and hear why.
The Firehouse production team is Lexie Lazear (Director), Sierra Dee-Rankin (Musical Director), Erin Carrino (Choreographer), and Brian Olkowski (Stage Manager), all veterans of the company. The cast: Joshua Gonzales as El Gallo, Brenna Sammon as Luisa, Matt Skinner as Matt, Jim Rupp as Huckelbee, G. Scott Phillips as Bellomy, John Blytt as Henry, M. Javi Harnly as Mortimer, and Kate Henderson as The Mute.
Show times: November 2 through November 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Sundays and some Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.