ASHTABULA - - Straw Hat Theatre will open the classic musical production "The Fantasticks" tonight.
The production will continue on the Straw Hat stage June 30, July 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. All Straw Hat productions begin at 8 p.m.
Written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt and directed by Douglas Eric Anderson of Ashtabula, the production tells an allegorical story loosely based on the play "The Romancers" ("Les Romanesques") by Edmond Rostand.
Two fathers put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love, because they know that children always do what their parents forbid. After the children do fall in love, they discover their fathers' plot and separate. But love brings them together once more.
"The Fantasticks" is about opposites - - cruelty and tenderness, day and night, laughter and tears - - and how they can't really be separated from each other," said Anderson. "Like Shakespeare in many
ways, this show has a little bit of everything - - dark comedy and sweet romance, profound meaning and goofy slapstick, young lovers tragically parted and happy endings. It's equal parts fairy tale, passion play, and theater of the absurd, and it never fails to keep them all balanced flawlessly," Anderson said.
The show's original off-Broadway production ran for 17,162 performances, becoming the world's longest running musical. The score includes familiar songs which have helped make this show a classic favorite. Many productions followed, as well as television and film versions.
"The songs range from lush operetta to edgy jazz to vaudeville-style comedy," says Anderson. "And of course, everyone knows 'Try to Remember' - - one of the most memorable melodies ever written (pun intended)!"
Straw Hat Theatre is located at the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th Sta. Tickets can be purchased by calling the center at (440) 964-3396. Tickets can also be purchased at the door if seating remains available. Patron seating $12, adults $10, seniors $9 and students/children $8.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 6/29/2007
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