Southampton Cultural Center Presents The Fantasticks

Southampton, New York, January 4, 2008: The Southampton Cultural Center will present "The Fantasticks" for three weekends beginning February 8th. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:00 PM and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM. Southampton Cultural Center is located on Pond Lane, directly across from Agawam Park. Michael Disher directs and choreographs this production. Jeff Wentz provides musical direction and accompaniment and Miriam Shilling brings additional magic with her harp.

"The Fantasticks" is the 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. It tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the play "The Romancers" ("Les Romanesques") by Edmond Rostand, concerning two fathers who put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love, knowing that children will always do that which their parent forbid. After the children do fall in love, they first discover their fathers' plot and then discover the harsher realities of life experiences. Their subsequent choices are based upon wisdom and knowledge gained.

Elements of this play are directly drawn from the story of "Pyramus and Thisbe" and Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

The off-broadway phenomenon ran for an unprecedented 42 years (17,162 performances), becoming the world's longest running musical.

Southampton's cast includes Rusty Kransky as El Gallo, Brett Chizever as Matt, Isabel Alvarez as Luisa, Andrew Stein as The Mute, Paul Alexander as Bellomy, Dan Stein as Hucklebee, Dan Becker as Henry and Joey Giovingo as Mortimer. Tom Rosante, Ken Rowland and Rich Gardini are also featured.

"'The Fantasticks' is a timeless tale of love and understanding that all of life is a lesson," said Mr. Disher. "Stunning in its vibrant simplicity, The Fantasticks has charmed generations and will continue to do so. Whether this becomes a return visit to the show, or a first, a warm and whimsical February evening awaits you and your memory and your imagination."

Tickets are $18.00 for Adults and $15.00 for Students and Seniors.

Performance dates are February 8-10, 15-17 and 22-24, 2008. Reservations are highly recommended. For further information and reservations, call Southampton Cultural Center at (631) 287-4377 or e-mail scc@southamptonculturalcenter.org.

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