Barn Theatre - THE FANTASTICKS

The Barn Theatre proudly presents

Directed by DUSTY REEDS

Choreography by CHARLIE MISOVYE

Musical Direction by STEVEN ZUMBRUN

SEPTEMBER 7 at 8:30 and playing through SEPTEMBER 19

book and lyrics by tom jones music by harvey schmidt

September 7 – 19 THE FANTASTICKS - The longest-running musical in the world and the longest-running stage production of any kind in American theatre history comes to the Barn Theatre-having been produced here forty years ago in 1964. Having celebrated over 17,000 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village, and a 41 year run that only recently ended, THE FANTASTICKS is freely adapted from Edmond Rostand's 1894 play Les Romanesques , and tells an age-old tale. Its ingredients are simple: a boy, a girl, two fathers, and a wall. THE FANTASTICKS follows the scheming of the two neighboring fathers who attempt to spark a romance between their children by faking a feud. When a mysterious carnival of illusions rolls into town, the fathers enlist the aid of its enigmatic impresario, El Gallo, only to add an unexpected tangle to their matchmaking web. Using only bare essentials, the author and composer have managed to bring to life a funny and quite touching story of innocence--and of knowledge. This bewitching musical comedy re-introduces such classic songs as "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain . "

The production features Barn favorites; Scott Burkell as the narrator El Gallo, who sings the classic “Try to Remember” and Joe Aiello and Eric Parker as the “feuding” fathers; Hucklebee and Bellomy. It stars third-year apprentice, Emily May Smith as the girl Luisa and second-year apprentice, Eric Petersen the boy Matt. Matt and Luisa are irreversibly drawn together by their fathers' phony feud, too caught up in the romance and the drama of it all to see the other's imperfections. They lament the argument that has torn their families apart and wish desperately for a way to be together. Also featured in the cast is Howard McBride as Henry, the old actor; Roy Brown as Mortimer; and Kelley Bray and Ben Bucher as the mutes.

Producer Brendan Ragotzy was doubly pleased to add this glorious musical to this summer's offerings -- “It was one of my dad’s favorite musicals and continues this summer’s tribute to him – it’s the perfect show to end the summer.” Don’t miss this musical theatre classic running for only two weeks; September 7 – 19. Tickets on sale now!

The Barn Theatre is located on M-96 West of Augusta. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM , Saturday at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM , and Sunday at 5:00 PM . Tickets are $25.00 Tuesday through Thursday and $27.50 Friday through Sunday. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For tickets call (269) 731-4121. The box office is open daily from 10:00AM-10:00 PM .

Enjoy refreshments in The Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show. There is free cabaret-style show in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge after the main stage performance.

CAST LIST

El Gallo .................................. SCOTT BURKELL

Luisa .................................. EMILY MAY SMITH

Matt .......................................... ERIC PETERSEN

Hucklebee ........................................ JOE AIELLO

Bellomy ........................................ ERIC PARKER

Henry (the old actor) ......... HOWARD McBRIDE

Mortimer ........................................ ROY BROWN

Mutes .............. KELLEY BRAY, BEN BUCHER

THE FANTASTICKS

SCOTT BURKELL

Scott comes back to the Barn for a 22 ^nd summer season after another eventful year in New York spent workshopping and refining his various projects: SIX OF ONE (his musical with a score by Barnie Paul Loesel), and his play OUT OF IT. His Burkell/Loesel songs are being performed by several prominent Broadway names, like Barnie Marin Mazzie, her husband and Main Stem actor Jason Daniely, Susan Egan, and Rebecca Luker, and Kristen Chenoweth to name but a few. He was also on Broadway and in the First National Tour of TITANIC. In Augusta , his career has been unforgettable. Some favorites include Molina in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, George (opposite Marin Mazzie) in SHE LOVES ME, Felix in THE ODD COUPLE, Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Claude in HAIR, and perhaps his all-time gem, Riff-Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Last season Scott played in ROCKY HORROR again, as well as Reuben in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, Gus in CATS, Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Mother Superior in NUNSENSE A-MEN, and an acclaimed turn as the Emcee in CABARET. Scott dedicates his season to the memories of Jack Ragotzy as well as his own father, “the two Dads” in his life.

EMILY MAY SMITH

Emily is excited and thankful to return to the Barn Theatre for her third summer in a row! Emily is a graduate of Capital University with a degree in Music Theatre, where her favorite roles included Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Lucinda in INTO THE WOODS, Winifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Smitty in HOW TO SUCCEED…, and Tiny Tim in A CHRIST MAS CAROL. Favorite Barn roles include Vicki in CAUGHT IN THE NET, Jessie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (with Tom Wopat), and Jemima in CATS. This season Emily has been featured in AIDA, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, GUYS AND DOLLS, and BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL.

ERIC PETERSEN

Happily joining us for his second season, Barn audiences will undoubtedly remember Eric as the hysterical waiter in this summer’s farce TWO INTO ONE, as well as Rick , Lorraine , Doctor and Dillon in BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL and Rusty Charlie in GUYS AND DOLLS. Last fall Eric went on to perform at Charleston Stage in South Carolina as Bill Sykes in OLIVER! Shortly after moving to New York City he was cast as The Duke in Theatreworks USA premiere cast of THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN (national tour). Last season Eric was featured in such shows as CABARET (Ernst Ludwig), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Simon Zealotes), ANNIE (Fred), and many Bar Shows. Other past favorite roles include Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Einstein in PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, and Sky Masterson in GUYS AND DOLLS. Eric has a degree in Theatre Performance from Bradley University .

JOE AIELLO

Joe is pleased to return to the Barn for his 24 ^th season. Year after year he has proven his talent and versatility such as this summer’s glorious musical AIDA where he portrayed the villianous Zoser, Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Lee in TRUE WEST, Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Mozart in AMADEUS, Albin/ZaZa in LA CAGE AUX FOLLIES, Arthur in CAMELOT, and half the town in both GREATER TUNA, and A TUNA CHRISTMAS. A gifted director as well, Joe has won accolades for his Barn productions of CHESS, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, SHE LOVES ME, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SWEENY TODD (co-directed with Scott Burkell), and last season’s CABARET. He lives in New York City and is currently Director of Sales for Match-Tix Group Sales and Promotions and co-owner of Allied/Hit-Tix Inc. Joe dedicates his season to the memory of Jack Ragotzy.

ERIC PARKER

Having just starred as the Beast in this summer’s mega-hit BEAUTY AND THE BEAST -- Eric couldn’t be more pleased to return for a 12 ^th go-‘round in Augusta . Last year he was featured throughout the summer, with Judas (opposite one of his favorite ‘90s rockers, Gary Cherone) in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR topping his list, followed by his turns in THE FOREIGNER, and ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT as well as his cameo as Bustopher Jones in CATS. Other favorite Barn credits include major roles in JOSEPH…, six productions of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, CHESS, BIG RIVER, TOMMY, CITY OF ANGELS , SOUTH PACIFIC, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, PIPPIN, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook. Eric has continued his career at the Drury Lane , with featured performances in their JOSEPH…, ANYTHING GOES, ANNIE, CAMELOT, and their TYA ALADDIN and CHARLOTTE ’S WEB. Favorites elsewhere include the title roles in AMADEUS, THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Claude in HAIR (European Tour). TV: GUIDING LIGHT. Eric lives in Chicago and is a proud Adrian native.

HOWARD McBRIDE

In his 23 summers in Augusta , Howard has given a series of wonderful performances in the range known as “first business.” Adding to his impressive list of credits are Arvide Abernathy in GUYS AND DOLLS and Maurice in this summer’s mega-hit BEAUTY AND THE BEAST this season. Last season Howard reprised his beloved Dr. Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW for the 7 ^th time and played President Roosevelt in ANNIE, but his favorite performance was as Herr Schultz in CABARET. Other favorites include Jacob in JOSEPH…, the Governor of Texas in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Colonel Pickering in MY FAIR LADY, the head of Big Harp in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and one of his early leading roles, Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA. He has stage managed tours of A CHORUS LINE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and JANE POWELL: INSIDE OUT. With us, though, Howard lends his unique charms to his role as the Barn’s General Manager. He also appears annually at the Gull Lake Café Christmas Show. Unfortunately, his role in that little pageant remains top secret.

ROY BROWN

Roy is returning for a fourth summer season at the Barn with his full Equity membership awaiting him in September. Roy’s credits here in Augusta include SOUTH PACIFIC, CAMELOT, CHESS, Renfield in DRACULA, and hilarious turns last summer as Sr. Mary Amnesia in NUNSENSE A-MEN, and the Jimmer in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, which he reprised to the delight of Barn audiences and for which he has become a local celebrity. Originally from Hastings , Roy now calls New York City home.

KELLEY BRAY

Kelley recently graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, Dance minor. Her wonderful portrayal of Shelley in this season’s BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL was a highlight of the summer. Other credits include Helene in SWEET CHARITY at Millikin, Lucy Understudy/Ensemble in JEKYLL & HYDE, Ensemble in NO, NO, NANETTE, and Lydia in CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD. Other Barn credits include Rumpleteaser in CATS, Soul Girl/Ensemble in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (with Gary Cherone), and Annette in ANNIE. Kelley has also performed at numerous theme parks around the East Coast.

BEN BUCHER

Ben is happy to be back after recently finishing the national tour of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN. Barn audiences saw him last summer as Rocky in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Mungojerrie in CATS. After the 2003 Barn season Ben performed shows at Busch Gardens , VA and the Gateway Playhouse ( Long Island , NY , with fellow Barnie, Nick Dalton of the 2000 season). A Ball State graduate and University Singer, Ben looks forward to another great season.

CALENDAR NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2004

NOW PLAYING: Added Barn show September 7-19 -- THE FANTASTICKS! The Fantasticks is the longest running show of any kind in the United States , and the longest running musical in the world. Having celebrated over 17,000 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village and a 41 year run that only recently ended, THE FANTASTICKS is freely adapted from Edmond Rostand's 1894 play Les Romanesques , tells an age-old tale. Its ingredients are simple: a boy, a girl, two fathers, and a wall. The story unfolds, radiating a timeless sweet and sunniness: the starry-eyed girl and boy next door fall in love, yet yearn for the dangerous attractions of the world outside. Using only bare essentials, the author and composer have managed to bring to life a funny and quite touching story of innocence--and of knowledge.

COMING: Our 60 ^th Anniversary season – May 2005 ! Join us for more spectacular plays and musicals with Broadway and television actors as well as your favorite Barn stars!

The Barn Theatre ;

Located on M-96 1 mile west of the village of Augusta .

Box Office Phone ;

269 731-4121 Open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Performance times ;

Tuesday through Friday at 8:30pm

Saturday (2 shows) 6:00pm & 9:00 pm

Sunday 5:00pm (8:30 Added performance, if applicable)

Ticket Prices p;

Tues. Wed. Thurs.: $25.00

Fri Sat (both shows) and Sun $27.50

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

Group rates available (10 tickets or more)

Professional Equity resident summer theatre. Our 59 ^th season

Listed on the Michigan Register of Historic Sites – Free and easy parking

Air-conditioned Theatre and Restrooms handicapped accessible.

Enjoy refreshments in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during

intermission and after the show. Free cabaret-style entertainment follows main stage

performances. Brendan Ragotzy, Producer