Original Off-Broadway cast album cover. Courtesy/wikipedia.com

CLC News:

“The Fantasticks” musical opens at Christ Lutheran Church, 1701 Arroyo Chamiso in Santa Fe, with performances three nights only at 7 p.m., Aug. 14,15 and 16. The production is sponsored by Christ Lutheran Church, 

“The Fantasticks” musical first opened at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York in May 1960. Since then, it has become the longest running production of any kind in the history of American Theatre. Music includes the familiar “Try to remember, the kind of September…” sung by El Gallo, who serves as the narrator. 

The story begins with two fathers who pretend to feud and forbid their children to see each other, because they really want them to fall in love. They reveal this plot in the song: “Why did the kids pour jam on the cat? They did it ‘cause we said no!” When it becomes apparent that the boy (Matt) and the girl (Luisa) are madly in love, the fathers arrange a mock abduction in order to end the feud. 

They hire “El Gallo” to pretend to fight Matt so that he can become a hero. However, at the beginning of Act II, it is apparent that the course of true love is NOT running smoothly. The boy goes off to see what the rest of the world has to offer, but the girl must stay home. She is beguiled by the appearance again of El Gallo who shows her in fantasy what the world is like. The ending is a happy one, with much to delight the audience throughout,  which makes its long-running history understandable.

The Santa Fe production is sponsored by Christ Lutheran Church. Proceeds will go toward roof repair. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased online at www.church@christlutheransantafe.org. or by calling 505.471.6596.