|
The Fantasticks
Friday June 20th, 2003
Lagniappe
By David Cuthbert
Theater writer
The still-potent but elusive
charms of
"The Fantasticks" are apparent intermittently in the production of the
timeless Harvey Schmidt-Tom Jones musical now at the Fine Arts
Center.
The show is strongest
in its deployment
of old pros Vatican
Lokey and "Uncle Wayne" Daigrepont as
neighboring fathers who scheme to draw their children together
romantically.
They bring a knockabout, show-biz brio to their roles, and two catchy
patter
songs, "Never Say No" and "Plant a Radish," are highlights.
Producer-director
Roland "Butch" Caire Jr. has a strong, reliable voice as wily El
Gallo that he modulates to put across the wistful "Try to Remember." In
traditional black and Mephistophelian goatee, he presents a slick,
dramatic
image. Stocker Fontelieu as Henry, the Old Actor, is by turns funny,
poignant and outrageous in his red long johns, Veronica Lake wig and
other
outre guises.
At the heart of "The Fantasticks" is the
romance of Matt and Luisa, physically embodied perfectly by Michael
Santora and Ariel Assaf. Santora sings loudly and fearlessly,
but has a pitch problem, resolved finally in the well-sung, delicate
duet
with Assaf, "They Were You." Assaf has a true but thin soprano, does
nicely
with "Much More" and holds up her end of "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and
"Round
and Round." Completing the cast are Jeff Riddick as Mortimer, the
Man Who Dies, and Peter Gabb as the Mute, adding mimed, deadpan
grace notes.
The ravishing score is played flawlessly
by Shirleen Gill and Justice Buras, the counter-melodies
and underscoring reminding you why you fell in love with the show in
the
first place. The production is a good fit at the Fine Arts, and with
more
vocal work, this "Fantasticks"
could be a charmer.
|
