October 20, 2023
K-State School of Music, Theatre and Dance opens 'The Fantasticks'
Submitted by the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
K-State will present the musical theatre classic "The Fantasticks" from Oct. 19-22 and Oct. 26-29 in the Chapman Theatre. View ticket information.
"The Fantasticks" by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt has been one of the most produced and longest-running musicals in history. Originally opening off-Broadway in 1960, it ran for 42 years, closed for two years then reopened for another 11 years.
K-State will feature students David Mathes, Belle Chavey, Drew Scrivner, Lindsey Edwards, Michael Pierce, Parker Freeby, Naliya Contreras and Rachel Kuenzi. The understudies for this production are Elm Guzman, Dylan Dean, Zac Mead, Olivia Payne, Jacob Rogers, Jack Cannell, Ana Vasquez and Ann Stegman, who also serves as the dance captain of the production.
The team features K-State theatre students Alex Shine, costume designer; Clever Christman, sound designer and lead electrician; Rose Brown, paint charge artist; and Bernice Poulter, wardrobe supervisor. The rehearsals and production are run by student stage manager Ginger Harris and assistant stage manager Ari Hornbeck. Alumnus Joe Klug provided the scenic design, and Kristen Cruz worked on the prop design.
Faculty on the production are Jerry Jay Cranford, director/choreographer; James K. Davis, lighting designer; Amy Rosine, vocal director; Fredrick Burrack, music director; Ben Stark, technical director; George Wame Matthews, scene shop supervisor; Melissa Neville, costume shop manager; and Chuck Leonard, props supervisor.
The story of "The Fantasticks" is based on Edmond Rostand's 1894 French play, "Les Romanesques," a cynical, reverse "Romeo and Juliet," in which two fathers and best friends concoct a fake feud to get their rebellious kids to meet behind their backs, fall in love and marry. In turn, "Les Romanesques" was based on a 13th-century musical fable, "Aucassin and Nicolette," which was just as groundbreaking and quirky as its descendant, "The Fantasticks." Many of the songs became radio hits of the day recorded by such artists as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Gladys Knight and many others.