The Fantasticks at Mad Cow Theatre
Friday night Mark, Gary, Karen and I were back at Mad Cow Theatre in Downtown Orlando. This week it was to see the world famous and longest running off-Broadway production of Tom Jones' The Fantasticks. Mark and I had seen The Fantasticks in 1999 on our trip to NY. We were taken about by this unexpected gem and fell in love with the show. It was a no-brainer to jump at the chance to see the Mad-Cow production.
The premier of what is now known as The Fantasticks, played at New York's Sullivan Theatre in the Village. The show was an instant success and continued, uninterrupted for 42 years at a record 17, 162 performances. The plot is a modern take on Pyramus and Thisbe, which as you know is a mini-play done inside of Midsummer Night's Dream. It is a tale, pre-dating Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but is often believed to be the Bard's original inspiration for the star-crossed lovers.
Mad Cow director, Alan Bruun, staged a wonderful locally based production of the lively and witty adventure of two lovers separated by a wall. Bruun's direction was simple and superb, especially for the challenges faced by a room that is divided clear down the center with a wall-literally. His actors navigated the split stage with ease, always moving between the two sides of the room. Alan ensured that neither side of the audience was completely left out of the action. I do have to comment here, that I will be happy if/when Mad Cow, as promised, gets a real stage at the upcoming Orlando Performing Arts Center.
Kudos must go out to the cast, they were charming and at times, extremely talented. Stephan Jones as El Gallo was the best of the bunch. His voice was a clear deep tenor/baritone and resonated with perfect pitch throughout that tiny theatre. Every one of his numbers were extremely enjoyable.
I immediately recognized Blake Logan (Boys Boys Boys from Orlando Fringe) as he is impossible to forget since he is an exact double for Ryan Phillipe. I was disappointed in his acting during the first act. He tried really hard to be corny and dramatic as per the character. However his voice became whiny and high pitched and he was too effeminate for this part. We wanted to see the "boy next-door" and Blake didn't immediately pull that off. In act two, Blake seemed to lower his voice, tone down the dramatics, and he and Stephan Jones sung the best number in the play with a stellar "I Can See It."
The girl was played by Marissa Montigney. She hit some incredibly high notes, but her voice seemed out of character and too operatic for the part. There is no question this girl can sing, but the piercing notes were uncomfortable and distracting. The dad's were terrific. They had solid singing voices and amped up the vaudvillian antics just enough without seeming clown-like. That was pretty much how I remember the NY version. Also a quick honorable mention for Trenell Mooring. Mark, Gary and Karen all commented how much they loved her expressions. She was a beautifully, fun mime.
This was the last weekend for The Fantasticks, so no recommendations to get out and see the show, however I can certainly recommend Mad Cow for future productions. They're shows are charming and certainly worth the $24 price of admission. Plus, you never know who you are going to meet in the audience. We ran into Phillip Nolan from Orlando Shakespeare and had the opportunity to chat with him briefly. I found out for sure that his stage antics at Fringe with Poufey du Vey were not planned.
The premier of what is now known as The Fantasticks, played at New York's Sullivan Theatre in the Village. The show was an instant success and continued, uninterrupted for 42 years at a record 17, 162 performances. The plot is a modern take on Pyramus and Thisbe, which as you know is a mini-play done inside of Midsummer Night's Dream. It is a tale, pre-dating Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but is often believed to be the Bard's original inspiration for the star-crossed lovers.
Mad Cow director, Alan Bruun, staged a wonderful locally based production of the lively and witty adventure of two lovers separated by a wall. Bruun's direction was simple and superb, especially for the challenges faced by a room that is divided clear down the center with a wall-literally. His actors navigated the split stage with ease, always moving between the two sides of the room. Alan ensured that neither side of the audience was completely left out of the action. I do have to comment here, that I will be happy if/when Mad Cow, as promised, gets a real stage at the upcoming Orlando Performing Arts Center.
Kudos must go out to the cast, they were charming and at times, extremely talented. Stephan Jones as El Gallo was the best of the bunch. His voice was a clear deep tenor/baritone and resonated with perfect pitch throughout that tiny theatre. Every one of his numbers were extremely enjoyable.
I immediately recognized Blake Logan (Boys Boys Boys from Orlando Fringe) as he is impossible to forget since he is an exact double for Ryan Phillipe. I was disappointed in his acting during the first act. He tried really hard to be corny and dramatic as per the character. However his voice became whiny and high pitched and he was too effeminate for this part. We wanted to see the "boy next-door" and Blake didn't immediately pull that off. In act two, Blake seemed to lower his voice, tone down the dramatics, and he and Stephan Jones sung the best number in the play with a stellar "I Can See It."
The girl was played by Marissa Montigney. She hit some incredibly high notes, but her voice seemed out of character and too operatic for the part. There is no question this girl can sing, but the piercing notes were uncomfortable and distracting. The dad's were terrific. They had solid singing voices and amped up the vaudvillian antics just enough without seeming clown-like. That was pretty much how I remember the NY version. Also a quick honorable mention for Trenell Mooring. Mark, Gary and Karen all commented how much they loved her expressions. She was a beautifully, fun mime.
This was the last weekend for The Fantasticks, so no recommendations to get out and see the show, however I can certainly recommend Mad Cow for future productions. They're shows are charming and certainly worth the $24 price of admission. Plus, you never know who you are going to meet in the audience. We ran into Phillip Nolan from Orlando Shakespeare and had the opportunity to chat with him briefly. I found out for sure that his stage antics at Fringe with Poufey du Vey were not planned.
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