Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre
(Top) Debbi Fuhrman as the Mute, Norm Lewis as El Gallo, Yuka Takara as Luisa and James Snyder as Matt in the Music Circus production of THE FANTASTICKS playing at Wells Fargo Pavilion through July 25. Photo by: Steve Kolb.
THE FANTASTICKS - playing at Wells Fargo Pavilion through July 25 - is pretty much your typical boy meets girl musical with a few twists along the way. It's simplicity is much of the reason it works so well. There are no deep plots to puzzle over. You just take it for what it is.
The story revolves around a boy and girl - Matt and Luisa - played by James Snyder and Yuka Takara - who have fallen in love after some gentle manipulation by their fathers Hucklebee (Don Mayo) and Bellomy (Steve Routman).
The fathers have feigned a feud and built a wall between their two houses telling their children not to see each other. This, they know, will only serve to drive the two together - and it works as Matt and Luisa fall madly in love.
The production is ushered along by The Narrator (Norm Lewis) and The Mute (Debbi Fuhrman). Lewis, as the Narrator, sets up the scenes and also plays the part of El Gallo, who is hired by the fathers to fake an attempted kidnapping of Luisa, so Matt can rescue her and all will be well between the families again.
Fuhrman's role is rather unique as she often plays "props" in the production supplying objects to the actors and even pretending to be the "wall" between the two houses.
Of course this sweet and simple love story must have its tragedy. Matt and Luisa learn that their fathers have set them up. Matt leaves to travel the world and Luisa becomes infatuated with El Gallo.
The ending is predictable, of course, as most musical love stories are. But THE FANTASTICKS has that touch of magic that really reaches the audience and leaves you with a good feeling inside.
THE FANTASTICKS will be performing at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, located on the corner of 15th and H streets. Performances will take place through July 25, with show times Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and matinee performances Thursday and Saturday at 2 p.m.
Single show tickets are priced from $32 to $47, on sale at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, or by phone at (916) 557-1999. Tickets can also be purchased from Tickets.com at (916) 766-2277.
For more information on the Music Circus, visit CaliforniaMusicalTheatre.com.
