By Tracy Hawkins
The Quintessence Theatre Group has staged a charming production of the classic tale of boy-meets-girl, “The Fantasticks” by the late Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Directed by Megan Bellwoar, the cast brings all of the wit and humor, and the touching sweetness in this tale of the season our lives. Of note, Raffaela Cicchetti’s lovely soprano and girlish glee embody Louisa perfectly, and, as Matt, Brandon Walters brings a wonderful counterpoint in a young man finding his way.
El Gallo is a tough role for any actor since the late Jerry Orbach made the role his own when he first performed in the show’s debut in 1960. Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton steps into the part with a great sense of the physicality and charisma of the character – a little naughty, a lot knowing. His duet with Matt in Act II, “I Can See It” is a particularly powerful moment. His able assistants, Mortimer (The One Who Dies) and Henry (The Old Actor) are hilarious in their arrival, tenure, and even their departure. Kudos to, respectively, John Zak and Frank X, who play their parts in the play, and the play within the play, with a wonderful light touch. I could have watched them all night long.
Rounding out the cast are the parents, Hucklebee (Eleni Delopoulos) and Bellomy (Steven Wright), who have one of the best songs in the show, “Never Say No,” the anthem of every parent. Karen Getz does double-duty as both The Mute and Choreographer for the show. She performs both beautifully.
In a show which is both very simple and yet has a lot going on, the production team is to be commended: Megan Jones (Set Design); Lily Fossner (Lighting Design); Ariel Wang (Costume Design); and Terri J. McIntyre (Fight Director). All of the elements came together to transport the audience to a time when,
“. . . love was sweeter than the berries,
Or the honey,
Or the stinging taste of mint.
It is September,
Before a rainfall —
A perfect time to be in love.”
If you go:
“The Fantasticks” continues through Dec. 31. Tickets/info at (https://www.quintessencetheatre.org/). Plenty of parking in the area, and the theater is comfortably situated.