Press release

Mammoth Lakes, Calif. – Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre (MLRT) and Artistic Director Shira Dubrovner announce the opening of “The Fantasticks,” the fun, charming, timely and longest running musical about love, loss, adventure, growing up, and vegetables.

“Yes! Vegetables!,” said Dubrovner. “Come to the Edison Theatre December 15-30 to answer that question for yourself. All kidding aside, I love this musical. It’s intelligent and accessible; funny and touching; thought-provoking and memorable. ‘The Fantasticks’ is just what we all need to celebrate the holiday season.”

The musical was written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (“110 in the Shade,” “I Do! I Do!” in addition to a musical version of “The Rainmaker”). Created originally for a Barnard College summer theatre production, it was produced Off-Broadway by Lore Noto and debuted at the Sullivan Street Playhouse on May 3, 1960.

It ran for 42 consecutive years—17,162 performances—before closing in 2002. It received the Obie Award and a 1992 Special Tony Award. It has been produced in every state in the union and in countries too numerous to mention. There is a new revival currently running in New York City at the Snapple Theatre.

Dubrovner’s production takes a unique spin on the production with a new opening written by Phil Olson (L.A.-based published playwright) and Dubrovner that places the entire production 1,000 years into a rather bleak future.

“I wanted to give a fresh perspective to the show,” said Dubrovner, “I found it appealing because it has an eccentricity combined with a classic love story. Also, setting this production in a post-apocalyptic world gives a whole new meaning to the song ‘Try to Remember,’ that has become a classic in its own right.” Others memorable songs in the show include “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” “I Can See It, and “Never Say No.”

The show features a mostly local cast. The narrator El Gallo is played by Maurice Cooper; Matt, The Boy, is played by Matt Chaconas; The Girl is played by Cassie Burgenbaugh; the two fathers are portrayed by Juliana Olinka-Jones and Charles Scatolini; The Mute by Jeff Frome; Henry, by Kenji Kawaguchi of Bishop; and Mortimer by Troy Whitaker of Los Angeles. Fight sequences were staged by Doug Oliphant, who recently staged scenes for Dubrovner’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The Music Director is Diana Lanane of Bishop.

Tickets are available online at www.MammothLakesRepertoryTheatre.org for $20 general admission, $18 for seniors and students, or $22 at the door (sorry, no discounts). This production is suitable for children ages 10 and above.

For more information about the season visit the theatre’s website at MammothLakesRepertoryTheatre.org.

FACT SHEET:

WHAT: THE FANTASTICKS

WHEN: December 15 – 30, 2016; Thu-Sat at 7pm, Sun at 4 pm (Dark Dec, 24 & 25)

WHERE: Edison Theatre; 100 College Parkway

COST: $20/$18 ($22 at the door–no exceptions)

BUY TICKETS: www.MammothLakesRepertoryTheatre.org

The Mammoth Lakes Foundation offers free education (books and tuition) to any Mono County resident and/or high school graduate who pursues an AA degree at Cerro Coso Community College and provides year-round theatre programming at Edison Theatre. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to the theatre or to the Foundation, please contact Shira Dubrovner at 760.934.6592, the Foundation office at 760.934.3781 or visit MammothLakesFoundation.org. Our nonprofit work is only possible through your generosity.

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