My overall impression
Despite their best efforts, the good folks of Good People Theater Company are unable to recreate the magic they achieved with their 2013 fringe hit, A Man of No Importance, in their current revival of The Fantasticks.
Contributing to the lackluster production are pacing issues and actors without the singing ability, stage presence, or emotional depth to effectively handle the demands of the roles. The exposed nature of comedy makes it even more difficult to pull off than drama and so much more obvious when it isn’t working.
In the absence of real passion, poignancy and an understanding of how to blend the bitter with the sweet – which is what makes this Schmidt & Jones classic so satisfying – it left me feeling restless. Even the more successful comedy songs by the fathers did not keep me engaged for long.
The saving grace is the wonderful harp accompaniment which creates a sparkling mark in the plus column, despite the show’s onstage deficiencies.
Ellen Dostal
Musicals in LA
