Thursday, May 9, 2013

The Fantasticks in Sierra Madre June 7-July 13

 “The Fantasticks.” The hit musical.

WHO: Book and lyrics by Tom Jones. Music by Harvey Schmidt. Directed by James Fowler and Barbara Schofield. Choreography by James Fowler. Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse.

WHERE: Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024, Ample free parking behind theatre.

WHEN: June 7- July 13, 2013. Fri. & Sat. at 8:00, Sun. at 2:30. The Gala Opening Night performance on Friday, June 7 is followed by a Champagne reception and light buffet.

ADMISSION: $25. Seniors (65+) and students (13-17), $22. Children 12 and under, $15.

RESERVATIONS: (626) 355-4318.

ONLINE TICKETING: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

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            “The Fantasticks” is one of the American musical theatre’s most enduringly popular musicals. It ran off-Broadway for 46 straight years, 1960-2002, then re-opened in 2006 and is still running in New York today. But you don’t have to fly to New York to see it. It’s coming to Sierra Madre Playhouse.

            It begins as a tale of young true first love, as next-door-neighbors Matt and Luisa, grown up together, fall for each other. Their fathers approve, and conspire to bring them closer together. Once the young man and woman learn of their fathers’ approval, they reject their dads’ plan (as kids always do). Matt sets off on adventures to experience the world. Luisa stays close to home, but, separated from Matt, she encounters temptations.  They are each hurt a bit by the world, as the world can inflict pain and sometimes does. After a bitter taste of disillusionment, Matt and Luisa find their way back to each other, with a wiser, more mature and deeper love for one another.

            It’s a simple story, to be sure, but one that has resonated with audiences for half a century, with classic songs like “Try to Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.”

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