Summer Production Of ‘Fantasticks’ Continues Off-Broadway’s Run In Brookfield

By Shannon Hicks

BROOKFIELD — Matt Grimes, the executive producer of Brookfield Theatre & Dance Co., has announced the company’s summer production of The Fantasticks will be performed at Brookfield High School, on Longmeadow Hill Road, from July 27 to July 29. Performances will be Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Saturday afternoon at 2.

BTD comprises talent from Brookfield, Newtown, Bethel, Danbury and New Milford, with a sprinkling of talent from the remainder of Fairfield County. Harriet Siskin, a BTD veteran of Bethel, is working with the company for her third show as musical director. Raymond Pflomm of Brookfield is master carpenter. Janice Knight, of Knight Sales/New England Apparel Agents, is designing the costumes.

The small cast was working on blocking early this week, and Tuesday night’s rehearsal had a number of actors choreographing their way through the play’s big fight scene. Director Dan Turkenkopf was spending much of his time on the stage working with the cast members in the fight scene, music director Mrs Siskin was rehearsing some of the show’s songs with individual cast members, while a small group of actors was rehearsing yet another song in the back of the auditorium. Mr Grimes was overseeing all of the activity that was ongoing simultaneously.

The Fantasticks opened off-Broadway (and is still playing) on Sullivan Street in the SoHo section of Manhattan in 1960. It celebrates its 40th anniversary this year as the longest running musical in the world.

BTD chose to produce the show as something small and simple, yet a classic loved by many that tells a great tale for the whole family. Combining the elements of love, scheming, kidnapping, comedy and family values, The Fantasticks is told through music and drama.

“It’s good to be working with a small cast this year,” Mr Grimes said this week. “Everybody fits their role like a glove.

“We wanted to keep things on a smaller scale this year,” continued the producer, “and when we started talking about The Fantasticks, Dan thought he could direct this and I thought I could produce it. We’ll go larger-scale again next year, with a cast ranging from kids to seniors, something like Mame or along those lines, but this year’s cast is a perfect fit.”

Director Dan Turkenkopf, previously BTD’s assistant director, is working with a cast of nine including Patrick Curran, a Newtown High School senior, as Matt; Glenn Anderson as the boy’s father, Hucklebee; and Stan Watkins as the girl’s father, Bellomy.

The cast also features WCSU junior Mike Kulbeida of Brookfield (returning to the stage after a two-year sabbatical) as the enchanting, cunning El Gallo. Returning to the stage after a ten-year absence is Joe Consalvo, a 27-year veteran of Brookfield Minstrel Show (1957-84), who is playing Henry. The cast rounds out with Matthew Austin of Danbury as The Mute and Kegan Finlayson of Newtown, who will be returning to UConn for his junior year in the fall, in the role of Mortimer, The Cockney Actor.

The female role of Luisa will be performed by Tracy Mulholland, who leaves for Northwestern University in the fall. Tracy has been involved in theatre productions since eighth grade, when she had the opportunity to take part in Newtown High School’s presentation of The King and I. Although she was an eighth grader that year, Tracy also became a member of the NHS Drama Club when she played one of the children in the cast of the musical.

She continued as a member of the club through her four years as a student at Newtown High, performing in Guys and Dolls, Brigadoon and Fiddler on the Roof. She culminated her high school career this past spring when she won the role of Mary in The Music Man. In addition to her work with the high school drama department, Tracy is also wrapping up performances this weekend in Evita, the current offering by the Danbury theatre company Musicals at Richter.

Like many people in the theatre, Tracy came to know of Brookfield Theatre & Dance Co. by watching one of the company’s performances. She saw one of last year’s performances of The Wizard of Oz, and liked what she saw. Friend and fellow NHS student Pat Curran was in the BTD production last year, and when an opening came up for the role of Luisa this year, he mentioned it to Tracy.

“I’m definitely enjoying this. I enjoy being part of this group, I feel very lucky,” Tracy said during rehearsals Tuesday night.

“I actually saw The Fantasticks when it was at [Musicals at] Richter last year, and wanted to play this part,” she continued, “especially because there are not that many plays that center around a girl my age.”

“It’s a fun show,” offered musical director Harriet Siskin. “The music is a little bit different. What makes it challenging is there is no pit crew, it’s just a piano and a harp.”

Mrs Siskin feels programs such as the summer theatre offered by Brookfield Theatre & Dance Co. is not only beneficial for those who are participating, who are expanding their theatrical talents, and the public, who will be entertained by a talented group of young actors next weekend, but also for the positive outlook the actors’ efforts offer.

“It has been so wonderful working with these kids,” Mrs Siskin said. “You hear so much of the bad — the kids who get into trouble, or who cause problems in one way or another — and it’s great to know there are good kids out here.”

The cast for The Fantasticks ranges from age 16 to 60, and Mrs Siskin said everyone is enjoying the camaraderie that has been building during the recent weeks. The cast and crew members are from different towns, and new friendships have been built during the rehearsals.

“We’re all getting to know each other,” she said. “It’s so nice to see the generations mixing. It’s a great outlet.”

Dan Turkenkopf  isn’t worried about opening night, which is coming up fast.

“We’ll be ready, of course,” the director said confidently. “It’s been my experience during my years of working in theatre while I was in high school and even my past two years here as the assistant director that everything comes together during the final week before opening.

“We’ll be just fine.”

A Millennium Celebration

The company will combine its opening night performance on July 27 into a celebration of Brookfield Millennium 2000 Night. The evening will include an ice cream social and arts display prior to the show, and a revival of the town song “Brookfield is My Home Town” following the performance. All area residents are welcome to take part in the event.

As a bonus to the audience, each performance will feature an opening act from various musical groups of the area.

“Bring children to this one, because it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Mr Grimes. “There is a lot of imagination at play here. There are two acts, but only one set. Everything is pantomimed out.

“And of course, it does end happily ever after.”

Tickets may be purchased at the door or ordered in advance by calling the BTD box office at 775-9494. Evening performances are $12 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and children 18 and under, while matinee tickets will be $10 and $7, respectively.

Matt Grimes suggests audience members bring a sweater or light jacket with them into the show because the auditorium’s air-conditioning system keeps the room chilly at times. For additional information, call 775-9494.