The Fantasticks

The Bergen County Players version of the longest running musical is as simple as the one that I saw back in the late 80's at The Sullivan Street Playhouse in The West Village. With limited staging, Director Ray Yucis is able to move his talented cast about the stage with ease.

Over the years I have personally enjoyed the choice of shows that The Players put forth. The rendition of "Spamelot" was as good a performance that I have seen (I enjoyed it more than my recent visit to the Broadway production!). Much of the cast and crew at this wonderful theatre are as good if not better than most off off Broadway shows of recent. In last nights performance of " The Fantasticks" the audience is treated to very good singing and acting.

The musical is as common as most... boy meets girl, boy loses girl, then boy gets the girl back. Why this particular musical ran for so long is that it's a playful, simple show; one in which any audience age can enjoy. The songs are nothing special in there lyrics, however, they catch the audiences ear. As playful as the acting is, the songs add to the spoof that is this musical. As silly as the plot is, the nature of it is wholesome and fun.

The premise of the story is that the two fathers, Hucklebee (Steve Bell) and Bellamy, the girls father (Peter Downing) scheme a plan to pretend that they hate each other; they even build a wall between one another. In the hopes that the 20 year old boy, Matt (Damon Quattrocchi) will fall in love with the 16 year old Luisa (Grace Marie Callahan). Both Matt and Luisa are young and naive; but their love shines through. Conflicted by their parents, they see each other in the night time where no one can see them.

A plan to have the girl kidnapped by El Gallo (Larry Brustofski) who actually doubles as the narrator is more of a philosopher than a bandit. His saddle rash has put him in retirement as a true bandit, he now postulates about life and love. With the help of two buffoonish characters, Mortimer (Adam Mahonchak) and Henry, The Old Actor (Bob Russell), El Gallo is able to pull off the ruse. All seems to be fine at the end of the first act.

Act two is when it all goes array; the over confident Matt is set straight. Angry, he runs off into the real world. Luisa is upset and turns to El Gallo for advise. The two fathers are now feuding for real this time. All seems lost until it isn't. Even in dark times the lyrics and book by Tom Jones and the music by Harvey Schmidt lock this loose and fun show in tight which makes the two hours plus go quickly.

Even though it is simple, Michael Smith's set design keeps the show interesting. The costumes too are first rate. Thomas Carey Gsell, Olga Garey had very insightful and creative ideas in the dress of the actors. The warm glam lighting of Allan Seward and Jim Lupfer's sound design too works and blends well in this production.

What also works and makes this show memorable is that Callahan and Quattrocchi work and blend so nicely; as do Bell and Downing as the fathers. The four actors make this Fantasticks worth seeing. Ray Yucis keeps these four locked in and a lot of the good things that happen between all the actors is attributed to his great direction.

Robert M. Massimi writes for Metropolitan Magazine, Mann About Town Magazine, Nimbus Magazine and My Life Publications. Member Dramatists Guild.