Theatre Department to Present The Fantasticks, February 24-28

Posted by: admin on February 9, 2016, No Comments

ESU Theatre Department to Present The Fantasticks, February 24-28

Music and romance will take the stage at East Stroudsburg University as the theatre department presents the American musical classic, The Fantasticks, February 24-28.

“This show is a valentine, blending comedy and romance with a lyrical score to produce an enchanting theatrical experience,” said Margaret J. Ball, D.M.A., associate professor of theatre and the production’s director.

With book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, the musical features two parents who try to trick their children into falling in love, but create a cascade of unanticipated consequences.

Memorable songs like “Try to Remember” and “Soon it’s Gonna Rain” helped The Fantasticks run for more than 17,000 performances in New York City, making it the world’s longest-running musical.
, “The musical is a mash up, paying homage to many popular forms of theatre and entertainment,” Dr. Ball said. “The show combines elements from the ancient myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Commedia d’ell arte, Opera Comique, ’Beat‘ poetry, Latin dance music of the 1950’s and, even Zorro.”

“The Fantasticks was conceived for a small space,” Dr. Ball said., “So, for the first time, the theatre department is presenting a musical in the Dale Snow Black Box Theatre. The production is totally acoustical, using the original orchestration of piano and harp.

“Due to the small cast size, the musical has been double cast so that more of our students will benefit from the performing and educational experience,” Dr. Ball said..
The set and costume designer is Yoshinori Tanokura,associate professor of theatre. Guest artist Bruce Abbot designed the lighting and Associate Professor Betsy Buzzelli-Clarke, Ed.D, is musical director.

Curtain times for the production are 7:30 p.m. February 24-26, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on February 27 and 2 p.m. on February 28.

All performances are in the Dale Snow Theatre of the university’s Fine and Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg. Advance ticket purchase is recommended because of the intimate size of the theatre.

General admission for the production is $12, $10 for senior citizens, faculty and staff with ID,$7 for students with ID and $5 for youth. This play is recommended for ages 10 and above.
Tickets may be purchased in advance online with a credit card at esu.edu/theatretickets. Remaining seats will be available at the box office beginning one hour before the performance. Only cash and checks are accepted at the box office.

For box office reservations or more information about the production, please email esuarts@esu.edu or call 570-422-3483, x.4.