By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
From left, Tony Caprile, Damian Garcia, (behind) Elena Lucia Terry, Kelly Coates and G.L. James celebrate love.
Even if you have already seen “The Fantasticks” (and who hasn't, the play's long-running history holds numerous records all over the world), you must see the Winding Road Theatre Ensemble's robust production directed by Maria Caprile.
If Caprile ever wrote a book about how to direct, it would be titled “Always Want More.” No matter how much you might expect from this timeless play, this cast is determined to give you more.
Whether you want deliberately outrageous, over the top, maximum ham bone acting (Chad Davies as The Old Actor and Eddie Diaz as Mortimer); sweetly endearing innocent lovers (Kelly Coates and Damian Garcia as The Girl and The Boy); good-natured neighborliness (Tony Caprile and G.L. James as The Girl's Father and The Boy's Father) or a Tall and Distinguished El Gallo (Mark Hockenberry); it's all here. Handcrafted right before your eyes and immediately delivered to your seat.
But my personal favorite is Elena Lucia Terry as the delightfully imaginative clown-like character known as The Mute.
You could also call her The Mime, but that would be terribly misleading. For one thing, she is never annoying. Without a single word of dialogue, Terry creates a fully blossomed personality involved with each of the other characters. Classically trained in ballet, she also gets a couple of chances to perform en pointe.
“The Fantastics” debuted off-Broadway in 1960. A world far removed from the chaotic cultural conflicts of today. Back then, the same year John F, Kennedy was elected President, the homespun show that flaunts its low-budget roots must have reminded audience members of the funny plays they would stage in their school cafeterias.
Seen today – when marriage is something kids might or might not get around to doing sometime – “The Fantastics” seems more like a fairy tale. The premise begins with two fathers who are neighbors, hoping their respective son and daughter get married when they grow up.
So the two fathers insist the two youngsters can never see each other and certainly never think about liking each other. The fathers even build a brick wall dividing their properties.
Of course, the boy and girl become fascinated by each other. They overcome all sorts of obstacles as hilarity ensues. By intermission they have sworn themselves to wed each other.
But it is only intermission. Act Two is when all the real doubts and complications – as well as all the tidal waves of laughter – sweep trough the theater.
As for the songs, “Try To Remember” and “Soon It's Gonna Rain” are the hits. They receive a nice presentation, but the novelty songs seem to work a little better.
Harriet Siskin, as musical director and keyboard accompanist, conducts an ensemble of Katie Damon, harp, Brenton M. Kossak, bass and Darin Guthrie, percussion.
"The Fantasticks” plays through Feb. 18 in the upstairs Cabaret Space of the Temple and Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, matinees at 3 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $22-$28. For details and reservations, 401-3626.
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