By Jennifer Mustoe and Kendra Hill
One of the things I dislike about rom-coms is it’s all about the finding the sweetheart and getting the sweetheart. Just as they kiss to seal the deal, the movie or play ends with a big ol’ happily ever after. And it’s like–wait. That isn’t real life. Finding and getting the sweetheart is nothing compared to the keeping the relationship alive and well.
In The Fantasticks, there is a love story all right, filled with song and moonlight and sweet young lovers. It is resolved in Act One. In Act Two, though I don’t want to give too much away, that’s when real life happens. It is gritty, it is real, and it is ultimately satisfying–because it has a REAL ending. It isn’t a sad ending–don’t get me wrong. But it’s far more authentic. This is one of the many things I love about this show.
The lovers are Coulson Bingham as Matt. Luisa is played by Kelsi Jeffery. Both of these young actors make not one misstep. Their movement, characterization, voices and chemistry are perfect. I say this rarely. But they are completely believable. I wanted them to be in love. I mean, why not? They’re a great match. And as an aside, because I know Coulson, he stepped into the role the night before opening night. Yes, you read that correctly. He got everything memorized in one day. Bravo to Coulson and the whole cast for getting this great show off the ground. It takes a dedicated group of people to make this happen.
Kudos to director Agnes Broberg for getting this show to its sparkly perfection. She has plenty of movement on the small black box’s stage and has encouraged her performers to work in sync with one another in a most delightful way.
The story is that young lovers’ fathers build a wall (played by The Mute Nate Broberg, who not only plays The Wall but other mimed pieces and brings a lot of laughs) so that their kids won’t fall in love. But the fathers want their kids to fall in love. One of the cutest songs in the show is when the two fathers (Hucklebee (Paul Larson) and Bellomy (Marcx Haddock)) tell the audience (and there is a very thin fourth wall in this show) how they have planned for their children to fall in love by merely telling them they can’t. Fun song.These two gentlemen do a fine job in their roles. Their voices blended well and it was clear they were having fun with their parts. I wish I could have seen a little bit more relationship between the fathers and their respective children. But it wasn’t necessary to the plot and took nothing away from the production. When they get angry at one another in Act Two, it is hilarious.
The dads plan for An Abduction to take place so Matt can look like a hero and seal Luisa’s love for Matt. It will also help to convince the young lovers that the “feud” between the families is over. The Abduction is orchestrated by El Gallo, played by Will Hurwitz. He hires two actors, The Old Actor, played by Dane Allred, and Mortimer, played by Andrew Walsh, who is dressed as a Native American but has a Cockney accent are hired for the Abduction. Hurwitz has an amazing voice and stays distant as the Narrator. Allred and Walsh are fabulous–the parts require the actors to ham it up and boy–these fellas do this very well!
Everything worked well in this show–costumes for the ‘normal’ characters are just plain clothing and The Old Actor and Mortimer are great in their get ups. (I won’t spoil it for you.) What I found as I was watching the show and after was the flip-flop that happens between Act One and Act Two. Act One takes place under the moonlight. Act Two is under the blistering sun. Because we have been having such an amazingly (horrible) hot summer, the difference between these two acts really affected me. In the moonlight, things look lovely. But when it’s bright and hot and uncomfortable and crabby–this is when things get difficult. It is a believable metaphor and one that is important to think about. Should life always be accompanied with moonlight and kisses? Or is life more hot, under the sun and filled with discord? Or is it both?
I am waxing profound. Do not think that this show is brooding. It is not. But is it poignant? Is it memorable? Is it fun? Yes, it is all of these.
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For a nice, cool evening, go to The Covey and see The Fantasticks. It is well worth your time.
The Fantasticks July 15 – August 6 7:30 PM $14-$16
Main Office: (801) 852-7007
Box Office: (801) 852-7007
Covey Center for the Arts
425 W Center St
Provo, UT 84601
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