The Robinson Theater will open with its first play — a musical called The Fantasticks — of the semester on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. in the Ogle Center.

The original production of The Fantasticks first premiered in May 1960 in Greenwich Village, NY, and has been appearing on off-Broadway for the past 70 years. It is he longest-running show in the U.S.

“It’s become such a classic show,” Jesse Brown, theater graduate, said. “I think that’s in large part due to the fact that it tells such a simple story, one we can relate to on some level.”

The Fantasticks tells a story of a young couple, Matt and Luisa, who are separated by a wall between their neighboring houses, constructed by their fathers who pretend to feud, all in belief that they can trick their disobedient children into falling in love.

Jim Hesselman, assistant professor of theater and director of The Fantasticks, said it was time for him to put on this show again.

“As you get older and have more experiences, the show tends to grow with you,” Hesselman said. “I also thought it fit our current group of students well and could be a real challenge to present something with such a pure heart and message in a world that tends toward cynicism and defensiveness.”

Jenna Underhill, theater and biology freshman, plays the part of Luisa.

“Yes, it is the typical ‘boy meets girl’ story, but it means so much more than that,” Underhill said. “This play has a message for everyone.”

Brown, who plays Luisa’s father, Bellomy, said his character is high-energy.

“He can be a bit bumbling, even clueless, but it’s always well-intentioned,” Brown said. “He’s fun, but I haven’t played many similar roles, so it really forces me to stretch my skills.”

Gabriel Vanover, theater junior, plays Matt’s father, Hucklebee, and said his character is fairly straight forward.

“Usually I don’t get to play these types of characters, so, in the rehearsal process, I am enjoying the challenge of building a new type of character for myself,” Vanover said. “I like how relatable Huck is.”

Robbie Steiner plays the part of El Gallo, a narrator who also becomes a part of the story when he becomes the bandit.

“I enjoy being able to create two characters that are unique, yet somehow unified,” Steiner said.

Not only is The Fantasticks an original off-Broadway play, but it is also the world’s longest-running musical.

“I personally enjoy doing both musicals and straight plays the same,” Vanover said. “Both are different forms but have the same goal — to share a story.”

Vanover said musicals tend to have one advantage over straight plays.

“In a musical, you do have the songs to help develop your character and the plot,” Vanover said. “I think music helps set the tone for a show much faster than a straight play.”

Brown said he seems to agree.

“Of course, every performance, whether it’s a musical or straight play, has a certain rhythm to it,” Brown said. “In musicals, that rhythm can be a lot more obvious.”

Steiner said he usually prefers musicals over straight plays.

“Music has a way of reaching the soul and telling stories in a way words simply cannot do on their own,” Steiner said.

By TAYLOR FERGUSON

Staff

tayfergu@ius.edu