Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Feb. 24, 2000, edition 1 / Page 5
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February 24,2000 The Banner Features "The Fantasticks" a humoroiis break By Kay Alton staff Writer Well, glory hallelujah, and bring on the band. The cur rent UNCA ’ drama department’s production of “The Fantastic^” presents real entertainment for the sheer pleasure of the audience. What a relief it was to be treated to singing, dancing and plot without a dutiful re sponse of condemnation over ome unsolvable social issue. StudenK have the opportu- ity from-Feb. 23-27 to enjoy one of the performances at the Carol Belie Theatre on cam pus. The story of two lovers who become victims of their parents’ cockeyed attempts at reverse psychology has been the longest running musical in the world. Since an off-Broadway open ing night in 1960, “The Fantasticks’” cast has included stars like Anna Maria Alberghetti, Richard Cham berlain, Bert Lahr, Liza Minelli, and Glenn Close. Review UNCA’s chairman of the drama department, Scott Walters, is the director for the play that was written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. This production demon strates several innovative and creative enhancements unique to the UNCA production. Some of the traditional roles are altered with good results. Also, the dark and lackluster sets some productions use for “The Fantasticks” have been brightened and improved. The first observation of the wall around which much of the singing and conversation occurs, is actually a stick held very steadily by the mute, Jenny Prather, whose makeup cleverly resembled that of the famous mime Marcel Marceau. Two of the roles often cast using men were filled by women. The character of Matt’s mother, hilariously performed by Lauren Hobbs, and Luisa’s father, excellently portrayed by Zach Walker, present an other clever deviation from the original script. The mother’s character, Hucklebee, originally called for Matt’s father in the role. The casting change required Walters’ adaptation of the script to fit a female character. It worked very well, and Hobbs’ strong voice and co medic style improved on the For those who may not be familiar with the play. Matt, played by Matthew Rossi, and Luisa, played by Terry Sum mers, are teenage sweethearts separated by a wall between their backyard gardens. The same wall is really a ploy to ensure that they discover each other as future husband and The ongoing matchmaking attempts of Luisa’s father and Matt’s mother provide funny lines, great songs, spiffy dance steps and maybe a moral les son or two craftily concealed as entertainment. The set was designed using a cityscape on the raised back drop that supported the mu sicians. Autumn colors of gold and hues of red and blue set the season for Matt and Luisa’s love adventure. El Gallo, portrayed by Tracy Hackney, made a convincing and swashbuckling narrator of the story as well as a believ able seductive intruder into Luisa and Matt’s romantic duo. Hackney performed his spoken lines boldly and with gusto when arranging for the farcical altercation set up by the parents to ensure that Matt becomes Luisa’s hero. The costumes and props, in cluding the sun and moon, hidden in a giant trunk gave a convincing setting of a more simple time. It was refreshing to be involved in a duel with wooden swords and slapstick boxing bouts between Henry and Mortimer, played by Ja son Allen and Liam Bryan, while trying to capture Matt. Who would not be impressed with Henry’s bumbling Shakespearean misquotes and his faithful sidekick of 40 years, Mortimer? At one point, Bryan crouched in that excru ciatingly difficult Russian dancing position and success fully threw his legs out in perfect time without falling on his derriere. The musical production had some very strong voices, in particular. Summers, Hobbs and Walker. Training for dance and voice are evident in the performance. Summers’ very clear voice carries both in the songs and in her dialogue. She remained poised and ar ticulate throughout the dif ferent ups and downs over the garden wall, as well as the ins and outs of the dance steps. Mother Hucklebee had the gestures down pat and her musical voice was strong and clear as well. She has the co- medic timing necessary to keep the audience involved in a humorous interaction. The stronger voice among the male performers was defi nitely Allen. Dressed in a bowler derby and obnoxious plaid sport coat peculiar the era, he belted ( of Never Say ‘No’” and couple of duos th Hobbs They fought and gh several intricate song and dance numbers While El Gallo opened the per formance very ely by singing the traditional hit number “Try To Remember,” his quite strong come the domi nation of the p nist and keyboard The music loud for the solo performances of Matt and the For those of who have been heavily burdened demic projects spring self to a real belly laugh by attend ing a fun perfor mance of “The PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROL BELK THEATRE Fantasticks. The I deserved. you ao too “The Fantasticks,” an off-broadway musical, will be at the Carol Belk Theatre Feb. 23-27. Terry Summers (front left) and Matthew Rossi (front right) play teenage sweethearts. m Fill'\(iiir Information I feb 24 1 thru march 2 UNCA academic notices Study Abroad application deadlines: Angers, France • 3/1; HC 30 for more LSAT Prep Program, cost $300 (includes study materials), register by 3/3 (x6558); meets every Wed. for 8 weeks, 6-9 pm, UNCA Campus • 3/15-5/3 GRE Prep Program, cost $300 (includes study materials), register by 3/3 (x6558); meets every Tues. for 8 v/eeks, 6-9 pm, UNCA Campus • 3/14-5/2 Term I classes end • 3/3 athletics Women's & Men's Basketball: Big South Conference Tournament, gome times TBA, Asheville Civic Center *3/1-4 Women's & Men's Tennis vs High Point, 2 pm • 2/25 • Writers at Home: Readings by A. Von Jordan & Dole Neal, 3:30 pm, LF • 2/27 • America Reads - Read Across America Day - Volunteer to visit one of the schools, coll x6536 *3/2 • Blood drive, 10 am-3:30 pm, HC Lounge (sign up in DH 2/21-2/25) • 3/1 Seth Goodman Exhibition, University' Gallery, OH, opening 6:30 pm • 2/25- 3/14 Dorthy Hartsock Exhibition, 2nd Floor Gallery, OH • 2/25-3/7 "They Coll 'em the Blues: A Collection of Images Celebrating the Blues," Randy Marrs Exhibition, Blov/ers Gallery • thru 2/28 - Asheville YWCA photos, newspaper clippings, documents from 1907 to present, RL • thru 3/21 black history month Poet & Essayist Nikki Giovanni, Lipinsky, 7 pm • 2/24 Lecture: "The Political Philosophy of Nelson Mandela," by Dr. Kibujjo M. Kalumba, HLH, 3:15-4:30 pm • 2/24 health & fitness center Softball, Soccer & Innertube Water Polo info meeting, HFC 203, 6 pm • 2/28 Soccer & Softball Officials Clinics, HFC 205, 8 pm • 3/14 career opportunities/jobs Summer Employment Fair 2000-30 organizations; 1-3 pm, HC Lounge • 2/29 Career Center Webpage - vww.unco.^u/career; job listings available or visit WHC; job openings, in Career Resources Library I To be notified of part-time job openings via e-mail, e-mail kdkeller@unca.edu | Summer Employment Fair: Camps & other organizations, HC, 1 -4 pm •2/29 WNC Consortium Job Fair: Grodutating seniors & alumni are invited to met & interview with employers. Renaissance Hotel • 3/28 R.A. applications available. Housing Office, questions? call Melanie x6700 • due 3/14 College Television Network • $250 a semester • call Becky 1 -800-586-4636 i leadership opportunities R.A. applications available. Housing Office, questions? coll Melanie x6700 due 3/14 "The Military: What Role in U.S. Foreign Policy?" by Lt. Col. Steve Horn, 7:30 pm, OCC • 2/28 FYI is a service of the Student Activities and ^ * Student Affairs I concerts/live entertainment Poet & Essayist Nikki Giovanni, Lipinsky, 7 pm • 2/24 "The Fantasticks," musical, CBT • 2/23-27 "Blues in the Night," Musical, 8 pm, LH Aud. • 2/28 Lillian Pearson, Pianist, HLH, 7:30 pm • 3/1 "The Slow Way Back," a reading by Judy Goldman, LF, 7 pm • 3/2 outdoor programs - HC (x6001) Summer Employment Fair 2000 - comps, porks, etc., 1 -3 pm, HC Lounge • 2/29 Equipment Rental - backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, mountain bikes, HC Ski Wolf Laurel-College Nights - Tuesdays and Thursdays - $17 (lift/rental) tickets - discounts - he 27 - 10 am to 4 pm Asheville Art Museum, $3 Blues in the Night - students $5 • 2/28 Biltmore House, $22 Chimney Rock, $6 Ski Wolf Laurel - Lift ticket Vouchers, $12 Smoke Hockey tickets, $4 • 2/24, 2/26, 2/27 United Artists Theatres Movie tickets, $4 Student Rush $5 Ticket - to Diana Wortham Theatre Moinstage events, call 257-4530 for availability
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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Feb. 24, 2000, edition 1
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