This week, just before Valentine’s Day, the Performing Arts Society of Kingsborough Community College will present Jones & Schmidt’s longest-running musical love story, The Fantastiks.
The Fantasticks tells the story of the courtship and relationship of Matt and Luisa. Thanks to a timeless and beautiful score, witty dialogue, and ample touches of theatricality, we see how love courses through the heart … and the mind. The Fantastiks was a highlight of the off-Broadway movement; ran for 42 years; and gave the world Jerry Orbach as the original balladeer, El Gallo.
The Fantastiks opens the spring 2006 season of the Society. A season which welcomes many guest artists to the group, including Eric K. Johnston, currently an orchestra sub for Broadway's Jersey Boys, as musical director.
The production is directed by Eric Fitzgerald, the president of the Society.
The Performing Arts Society with Jay Michaels as faculty advisor, has presented over 20 productions in two years including six projects which have moved off-off Broadway.
The Fantastiks marks the Society's third musical production.
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The Gallery Players, Brooklyn's premier Off-Off Broadway theater, is proud to present the cult musical SIDE SHOW, February 18-March 12, 2006.
Matt Schicker, who previously helmed The Gallery Players productions of THE FULL MONTY directs.
Two special post-show “Meet The Freaks” talk-backs will take place following the matinee performances on February 19th and February 26th, featuring cast members Amazon and Roc-It of the Disgraceland Family Freak Show.
SIDE SHOW tells the story of Daisy and Violet Hilton, the talented real-life Siamese Twins who were plucked from the dingy carnival side shows to star in Vaudeville. The remarkable singing sisters were immortalized by their unforgettable appearance in Tod Browning's infamous 1932 movie Freaks.
About SIDE SHOW, director Matt Schicker writes, “SIDE SHOW is operatic in its pathos and in its musical ambition. The Gallery Players has proven in the past that the ingenuity of theatrical designers and the sheer talent of wonderful New York actors can make an intimate production as thrilling (and sometimes more) than Broadway, and SIDE SHOW will be no exception. In SIDE SHOW, we watch the ascent of the Hilton sisters' careers and the simultaneous descent of their personal lives.
In the end, the sisters find the answer to the question posed at the finale of the first Act: “Who Will Love Me As I Am?” The answer may not be what we would like – it certainly isn't what we expect at the end of a musical – but it makes us all consider what happiness in our lives really means and what we are willing to compromise for that happiness.”
Robin Mishik-Jett is Producer of SIDE SHOW; Cindy Gerlach is Musical Director; Joe Barros is Choreographer; Scenic Design by Joseph Trainor; Costume Design by Melanie Swersey; Lighting Design by Kevin Hardy; Norva Bennett is Production Stage Manager.
The cast includes Emily Battles, Jeff Bush, William Cabrera, Lorraine Cink, Anthony Daniel, Jonathan Brian Furedy, Kathryn Gerhardt, Tauren Hagans, Greg Horton, Dennis Lue, Adam MacLean, Jimmy Hays Nelson, Suzanne Pilzer, Kristen Sergeant, Melvin Shambry, Traci Skoldberg, Tiffany Diane Smith, Matt Witten, Christopher Yee, and Minami Yusui.
Joining the cast on stage will be professional, self-proclaimed “freaks” Amazon and Roc-It of the Disgraceland Family Freak Show, who will add an exciting element of authenticity to the production. (See www.disgracelandfamily.com for more information about these remarkable performers.) See “On Stage” for info and showtimes.
