Jason Cabral as Matt and Christina Flynn as Luisa in 'The Fantasticks' at the Hilberry Theatre. Photo: Kelly O'Connor
Eyebrows were raised when Detroit's Hilberry Theatre announced plans to open its 47th season with "The Fantasticks." Long recognized for its emphasis on the classics, Wayne State University's graduate theater program only infrequently dabbles with musicals. Local thespians half-jokingly whispered,
"Well, it will certainly be a well-acted 'Fantasticks'" – and it was, since the guests attending the 2009 Presidential Preview on Sept. 26 were treated to one of the best-acted "Fantasticks" to hit a local stage in a couple of decades.
But – also as expected – it was not the best sung.
"The Fantasticks," which ran off-Broadway for nearly 42 years, borrows elements from a variety of authors and theatrical styles (including Shakespeare and the Italian commedia dell'arte) to tell the story of "a boy, girl, two fathers and a wall." The fathers secretly plot to arrange a marriage of their children by employing reverse psychology: They build a wall between their properties to keep the kids apart. Clandestine meetings blossom into love, so the fathers orchestrate an abduction of the girl – and her rescue by the boy – to end their charade. But the harsh realities of life often trump good intentions.
Director Jesse Merz places the action under the big top, commedia's somewhat modern-day second cousin. As such, Corey Globke outfits the actors in colorful costumes that suggest various circus-folk. (Dressing The Mute prop man, played by Erman Jones, as a roustabout instead of a mime or clown is especially inspired.)
More important, however, is the fine character development Merz requires of his actors.
Christina Flynn, more than any other local actress in recent memory, understands and enjoys toying with 16-year-old Louisa's erratic mental state. (Conversely, she's also the weakest singer of the troupe.)
Jason Cabral, as 20-year-old Matt, nicely balances the struggle between childhood and adulthood. And with an undergraduate degree in musical theater, he possesses one of the strongest singing voices in the show. (So too does Alan Ball as El Gallo.)
Also enjoyable are Brian P. Sage (Hucklebee) and Peter C. Prouty (a Ned Flanders-like Bellomy) as the fathers.
The most delightful performances, however, are given by Jordan Whalen (as Henry, the old actor) and Justin Vanden Heuvel (as his sidekick, Mortimer).
Jacee Rohlck's set is colorfully lit by Thomas H. Schraeder, but the execution was noticeably off in a handful of places. And the show seemed to briefly lose steam and focus midway through the second act.
REVIEW:
'The Fantasticks'
Hilberry Theatre, 4743 Cass Ave., Detroit. Thursday through Saturday Oct. 2-24, plus Wednesday, Oct. 14. $25-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
