Culture
OU Lancaster Theatre’s ‘The Fantasticks’ to Open March 29
< < Back to ou-lancaster-theatres-the-fantasticks-to-open-march-29Ohio University Lancaster Theatre will put on its spring production, The Fantasticks, in the Wagner Theatre March 29 – April 2, 2017. Tickets are available now.
The Fantasticks is a musical about a boy (Matt), a girl (Luisa), and their fathers who try to keep them from falling in love.
Junior communications major Brooke Hamlin plays the role of Luisa, the girl who falls in love with Matt. “I became interested in the role of Luisa for two reasons: first, it was the only female lead and second, it was a soprano role,” said Hamlin. “As I studied the character more, I really started to like the role. I really connect with the character – she’s a romantic and a dreamer, which I have to say I definitely am as well; this is one of my favorite roles I have played.”
Freshman Theatre major and Lancaster High School graduate Adam Dominick will be playing the role of Matt, who falls in love with his neighbor Luisa. “Matt is a huge romantic. When it comes to love, he goes above and beyond to express his feelings to Luisa,” said Dominick. “Plus, Matt gets to sing some of my favorite songs in the show. He has such an interesting character growth.”
Both young actors are excited to be cast in The Fantasticks, the longest running musical in the world.
“With that kind of tradition and history comes a lot of responsibility,” said Hamlin. “This show means so much to so many people and as a cast, we have to deliver on a promise to tell this beautiful love story.”
“The show has a lot of history behind it, and people expect certain things when they see this show,” said Dominick. “It’s extremely exciting to put on this classic musical story, and to bring our own life to these characters.”
The Fantasticks is coming full-circle from earlier days at Ohio University Lancaster. It was first performed in 1974 under the direction of Jeff Wagner.
Ohio University Lancaster theatre director A. Victor Jones had this to say about why he chose this show, “I was looking for a small cast musical that would allow our musical theatre students to shine. We have so many talented students who are just as passionate about musical theatre as I am.”
The musical includes famous theatre standards such as “Soon it’s Gonna Rain” and “Try to Remember” but when it originally opened, the show was expected to be a flop.
Hamlin said that was short-lived however, “People came back again and again – they loved it. It touched hearts with its beautiful and tender tale of love that endures. The show has beautiful music, comedy, love, moments of sadness, and even moments of hurt. Most of all, though, it has a story that will resonate with people of all ages and experiences. It is definitely a show I would recommend that people see.”
Dominick agrees, saying, “The Fantasticks is a beautiful love story with songs that audience members will be humming as they leave. It teaches lessons about love and life.”
Hamlin currently holds two part-time jobs while attending Ohio University Lancaster full-time. After graduation, she hopes to continue her involvement with local theatre, in either costume designing or marketing while planning to continue acting on the side. Upon his graduation, Dominick plans to pursue theatre as a career, whether through acting, directing, or lighting.
Ohio University Lancaster’s box office is staffed Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., beginning Wednesday, March 8, 2017 – and one hour before shows, 740-681-3353. The box office is located in the OUL north lobby in front of Wagner Theatre, 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster, Ohio.
The Fantasticks is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
