A ‘fantastick’ performing experience

On March 6 & 7, the Lawrence Woodmere Academy community gathered in Hessel Hall to watch LWA students perform “The Fantasticks,” a show that first opened in 1960 and became the longest running show in history (the professional version will close on May 3).
LWA’s adaptation was performed by the school’s drama club and directed by Kathleen Glasberg and Alex Altieri. Given all the rehearsal time that was lost because of the terrible winter weather, everyone was impressed by how great the show was. The cast and crew worked wonders with such limited time.
“The Fantasticks” is a timeless, comedic production that breaks the “fourth wall” on stage. Breaking this wall means that the characters on stage talk directly to the audience at points in the show. This usually increases audience involvement and easily stimulates your attention during the entire. The script never says where or when the show takes place, which is one of the reasons it is so unique.
There also are only eight characters: a boy, a girl, a narrator, two fathers, two actors and a mute. In Act I, fathers of both the boy and the girl pretend to dislike each other — because we all know that kids like to do the opposite of what their parents want — and what they want is for their children to be married one day. Of course, the boy and the girl fall in love and everyone is happy. This works, until Act II, when the children discover their parents arranged it all. The four of them grow hostile towards one another and cut off communications for months. Finally — spoiler alert — everyone comes to their senses, and all is well again.
Probably the most amusing part of this particular production of the show is that the two fathers were played by girls, one of whom was me. I was unrecognizable as I walked out in my fat suit, fake mustache, salt and pepper wig, and colorful men’s clothing.
My friends and family said they probably would not have known it was me if had not I told them beforehand. Playing a character so different from myself was fun and has given me a new experience as an actress. Because this character didn’t have an insane amount of lines to memorize, this gave me time to develop him and perfect him by the opening night. Playing a father is something I will always remember.
By the feedback received by those involved in the production, everyone who came to see LWA’s “The Fantasticks” enjoyed it. The ability of the audience to directly communicate with the actors made the play seem realistic and easy to understand. This comedy had situations that everybody could relate to and jokes everybody found funny. I can’t wait to put on the next production, so I can add another unique character to my repertoire.