LaCause Is El Gallo in Dehnert's Fresh Twist on Fantasticks in DC

By Kenneth Jones
30 Sep 2009

Rising American director Amanda Dehnert re-imagines the classic musical The Fantasticks, placing it in the setting of an abandoned amusement park, for Arena Stage this fall. Broadway's Sebastian LaCause will play El Gallo.

Casting for the Tom Jones-Harvey Schmidt fable was announced Sept. 30. Performances will play Nov. 20, 2009-Jan. 10, 2010, at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.

Musical direction is by George Fulginti-Shakar. Set design is by Eugene Lee.

Opening night is Nov. 27.

LaCause appeared in Broadway's The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Chicago, Once Upon a Mattress, Minnelli on Minnelli and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

The cast also includes Addi McDaniel (Luisa), Timothy Ware (Matt), Michael Stone Forrest (Hucklebee), Jerome Lucas Harmann (Bellomy), Terrence Currier (Henry), Nate Dendy (The Mute) and Jesse Terrill (Mortimer/The Handyman).

The creative team includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, choreographer Sharon Jenkins, costume designer Jessica Ford, lighting designer Nancy Schertler, sound designer Timothy Thompson and stage manager Martha Knight.

Lincoln Theatre (a borrowed space while Arena refurbishes its main home) is at 1215 U Street, NW Washington, DC.

Visit arenastage.org.