THE FANTASTICS PLAYS ON SHAKESPEARE, FUNNY BONE
by Reina Newton Tefs
Naples Sun Times
9/22/2004
Naples Dinner Theatre is presenting The Fantasticks, a play that ran over 40 years, making it the longest running musical in history.
Although many plays show a Shakespeare influence directly, this musical comedy opened with a reverse twist to the Bard's Romeo and Juliet scenario. Eight actors including a mute (Kate Phillips)
create characters that will entertain your memory long after the musical's finale.
Young lovers Luisa (Pamela Brumley) and Matt (David Perlman) face their first true love test as they disobey their fathers (Dominic Quin-Harkin and D. Tomas Desimone), who had tricked them into believing that they were not to associate with each other. The neighbors built a wall that forbids them to speak. The cunning fathers sang that if you wanted children to "do" something, the solution was to say an emphatic "no!"
When the fathers hired a kidnapper to bring the young lovers together, the plan backfired. They are ineptly aided by Henry (Richard Westlake), a frustrated Shakespearean actor and his sidekick Mortimer (Brice Corder), whose zany characters make your funny bones ache from laughing. The fathers' hobbies were planting vegetables and flowers and growing them to perfection; they learn that plants like plans don't always grow or go as you expect.
Charming El Gallo (Scott Dispensa) reminded me of Zorro as he parried onstage wearing a black cape and hat. He plotted the abduction or Luisa during an Abduction Ballet performed with The Company. When Luisa was captured, she seemed entranced by El Gallo's charm.
Will Luisa willingly leave her beloved Matt for the intriguing El Gallo and destroy the secretly-contrived wedding plans their fathers had made? Unlike the Montagues and Capulets, these two meddlers want their children to marry and their fictitious feud is part of their plan.
The fathers manage to keep their friendship secret for years, but once discovered, their friendship is tested and a hilarious scene where an eggplant gets squashed and flowers crushed keeps the audience laughing. Love, like a garden, can die without care, and even the best laid plans can go awry.
As candlelight glowed before the show, I enjoyed a delicious variety of food. Buffet tables laden with tempting varieties of fruits, salads, entrees and assortments of desserts are a fantastic combination for an entertaining afternoon or evening out. Service was friendly and reflected the welcoming ambiance of the theater.
Managing Director Stuart Glazer, Artistic Director Michael Wainstein, Choreographer Christopher Noffke, Costume Designer Susie Hartman, Scenic Artist Cecilia Balbiani, Executive Chef Elvis Gloade and the entire cast of actors deserve encore applause.
Group Sales Associate Molly King said the dinner theatre, which is usually filled to capacity, has been affected by hurricanes. Many loyal customers come from Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Ft. Lauderdale and local retirement communities like The Carlisle and Aston Gardens.
"We come as a group to every performance," Eleanor Brightenback from Aston Gardens said. "We always enjoy the show."
The Fantasticks runs until Sept. 26. / Do! I Do! starts Sept. 30. Naples Dinner Theatre offers a unique and entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening. For tickets or information call 239-7827 or visit www.naplesdinnertheatre.com.
by Reina Newton Tefs
Naples Sun Times
9/22/2004
Naples Dinner Theatre is presenting The Fantasticks, a play that ran over 40 years, making it the longest running musical in history.
Although many plays show a Shakespeare influence directly, this musical comedy opened with a reverse twist to the Bard's Romeo and Juliet scenario. Eight actors including a mute (Kate Phillips)
create characters that will entertain your memory long after the musical's finale.
Young lovers Luisa (Pamela Brumley) and Matt (David Perlman) face their first true love test as they disobey their fathers (Dominic Quin-Harkin and D. Tomas Desimone), who had tricked them into believing that they were not to associate with each other. The neighbors built a wall that forbids them to speak. The cunning fathers sang that if you wanted children to "do" something, the solution was to say an emphatic "no!"
When the fathers hired a kidnapper to bring the young lovers together, the plan backfired. They are ineptly aided by Henry (Richard Westlake), a frustrated Shakespearean actor and his sidekick Mortimer (Brice Corder), whose zany characters make your funny bones ache from laughing. The fathers' hobbies were planting vegetables and flowers and growing them to perfection; they learn that plants like plans don't always grow or go as you expect.
Charming El Gallo (Scott Dispensa) reminded me of Zorro as he parried onstage wearing a black cape and hat. He plotted the abduction or Luisa during an Abduction Ballet performed with The Company. When Luisa was captured, she seemed entranced by El Gallo's charm.
Will Luisa willingly leave her beloved Matt for the intriguing El Gallo and destroy the secretly-contrived wedding plans their fathers had made? Unlike the Montagues and Capulets, these two meddlers want their children to marry and their fictitious feud is part of their plan.
The fathers manage to keep their friendship secret for years, but once discovered, their friendship is tested and a hilarious scene where an eggplant gets squashed and flowers crushed keeps the audience laughing. Love, like a garden, can die without care, and even the best laid plans can go awry.
As candlelight glowed before the show, I enjoyed a delicious variety of food. Buffet tables laden with tempting varieties of fruits, salads, entrees and assortments of desserts are a fantastic combination for an entertaining afternoon or evening out. Service was friendly and reflected the welcoming ambiance of the theater.
Managing Director Stuart Glazer, Artistic Director Michael Wainstein, Choreographer Christopher Noffke, Costume Designer Susie Hartman, Scenic Artist Cecilia Balbiani, Executive Chef Elvis Gloade and the entire cast of actors deserve encore applause.
Group Sales Associate Molly King said the dinner theatre, which is usually filled to capacity, has been affected by hurricanes. Many loyal customers come from Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Ft. Lauderdale and local retirement communities like The Carlisle and Aston Gardens.
"We come as a group to every performance," Eleanor Brightenback from Aston Gardens said. "We always enjoy the show."
The Fantasticks runs until Sept. 26. / Do! I Do! starts Sept. 30. Naples Dinner Theatre offers a unique and entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening. For tickets or information call 239-7827 or visit www.naplesdinnertheatre.com.