#the fantasticks

[natakesgamingcorner]

Does your favorite musical have a bad song?

Yes

No

Voting ended onAug 17, 2024

[rayatii]

Uni was cancelled today for not-so-great reasons that I mentioned earlier in my #sonic boom chronicles tag, so I found a window of time to check out The Fantasticks for the first time, listening to the original cast album (I read the play that it was based on). And let's just say that "Try To Remember" hit a bit too close to home for me, because for me it evokes the 2024 war on my country (it started in mid-to-late September, and ended at the tail-end of November of that year).

Not sure if it might be a mix of all the tension in the air what with last night's bombing and the fears of a new escalation, Jerry Orbach's velvety voice, and the fact that I may be currently PMSing, but at any rate it made me weep more than once. I know it was often performed as a memorial of 9/11, but as @ariel-seagull-wings has said in the DMs, it should truly become an anthem for the SWANA region now.

[bewareofitalics]

FANTASTICKS BROADWAY CASTING BREAKDOWN!!!!!!!! BIGGEST THEATRICAL NEWS OF THE NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All characters are listed as "All Ethnicities." Also, "LGBTQIA+ identifying performers are encouraged to audition."

Lewis Lead. Male. 18 A boy-next-door romantic idealist who hungers for more than his small-town life. Energetic and playful with an active imagination. A very strong tenor voice.

Hmmmmm. Is Lewis eighteen in the script now? Possibly in hopes of keeping the show safe from age gap complaints? It wouldn't be the end of the world, but the character feels so sixteen.

Matt Lead. Male. 19 Handsome in a boyish way. An innocent, romantic and kind young man. Proud, honest, hopeful and loving. He yearns to be respected like a man. A very strong baritone or baritenor voice. El Gallo Lead. Male. 35-55 A sexy, mysterious, and dangerously handsome gallant. The narrator of the play. He represents everything Lewis is enamored with. A very strong baritone voice. Bessie Mae Bellomy Lead. Female. 40-60 Lewis’ mother. Also a meticulous gardener. Like Mildred, she wants her son to fall in love with Matt and live happily within her garden walls. Has great, subtle comic timing and a strong musical theatre soprano.

Hey Fantasticks on Broadway, get a proofreader. I doubt Mildred wants her son to fall in love with Matt. Anyway, with that "strong musical theatre soprano," I'm guessing they're keeping Bessie Mae doing the Luisa harmonies like they worked out with Lisa Vroman in the CV Rep production. I wouldn't be surprised if Vroman is in the running, she's about the level of "name" I've been expecting for this.

Mildred Hucklebee Lead. Female. 40-60 Matt’s mother. Bold and buxom. A former navy soldier and meticulous gardener. Honest yet eccentric. Wants her son to fall in love with Lewis and live happily within her garden walls. Has great, subtle comic timing and a strong musical theatre alto.

...buxom? Interesting thing to specify.

Henry Lead. Male. 60-80 An aging, over-the-top thespian. Was a world-famous stage actor in his day. Has no idea he is no longer a star. A comedian with great comic timing and a strong sense of physical comedy, even if slight and simple. Carries himself with grace and poise although he can hardly walk. Non-singing role.

No mention of drag, hmmmmm. I wonder if that's been dropped. Or if it was ever actually in the script. Also, interesting that he apparently was actually super famous once?

Mortimer Lead. Male. 50-75 Henry’s goofing sidekick with a cockney accent. Odd, off-centered and distinct, in appearance and behavior. Has no idea Henry is no longer a star. An excellent physical comedian with great comic timing. The Mute Lead. All Genders. 18-35 A speechless presence who watches and acts as the wall. An excellent dancer and have great miming abilities, as well as the ability to hold still for a long period of time.

How much dancing is the Mute going to do. Don't overcomplicate this, Christopher Gattelli.

Also, there's an end date! February 7. About what I'd figured, with the next production starting in March.

[ariel-seagull-wings]

JERRY ORBACH AS EL GALLO IN THE FANTASTICKS (1960)

@thealmightyemprex @the-blue-fairie @princesssarisa @themousefromfantasyland

[nyphilemonic]

Every time somebody says that Phantom is the longest running musical ever, an angel is slipped some poison in their drink and left to suffer a long, treacherous death.

[offarawaysnfuturedays-inmydreams]

ALI EWOLDT: When You Wish Upon A Star LIVE from 54 Below | 10.August 2025

[mayor-mclikeme-please]

Putting the Drop Out posse into classic plays #3

The Fantasticks

Music by Harvey Schmidt

Lyrics & Book by Tom Jones

El Gallo - Paul F. Tompkins

Matt, the boy - Ross Bryant

Luisa, the girl - Rashawn Scott

Hucklebee - Brennan Lee Mulligan

Bellomy - Zach Reino

Henry - Brian David Gilbert

Mortimer - Ally Beardsley

The Mute - Vic Michaelis

[dailydoseofkimwhalen]

Daily dose of Kim Whalen #52