CT's Stamford Center Stages a Fresh Fantasticks June 17-26 | Playbill

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News CT's Stamford Center Stages a Fresh Fantasticks June 17-26 Stamford Center for the Arts' new production of the classic American musical, The Fantasticks, opens June 17 at Rich Forum in Stamford, Connecticut.

The Fantasticks is part of the SCA Theatre Series at the organization that produces its own work and presents tours at two venues in downtown Stamford.

Kevin Connors directs the purposely bare-bones musical (lean and theatrical was the experimental conceit) by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, based on a play by Edmond Rostand. Choreography is by Josef Reiter and musical direction by Stan Wietrzychowski.

The Equity cast includes William Broderick, Kathryn Calahan, Jamie Cronin, Bob Del Pazzo, Jack Doyle, Ken Parker, Justin Paul and Jim Schilling.

The coming-of-age fable is the world's longest-running musical, and played a record-breaking run of more than 17,000 performances in Greenwich Village. The score includes "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "Try to Remember." The musical remains one of the most-produced shows of the past 40 years.

The plot "involves two fathers who decide that they want their children to fall in love. The girl, Luisa, is a daydreamer with an active imagination, and the boy, Matt, is a romantic. The fathers plot mock feud between themselves hoping the starry-eyed boy and the girl next door will fall in love. The fathers believe that the feud will give them an excuse to say no to their children's relationship, which, of course, should simply encourage the children's love for each other even more. The fathers even hire El Gallo to stage a mock abduction of Luisa, allowing Matt to become a hero and save her." Director Connors' Connecticut credits include Babes in Toyland (book, new music and lyrics, now in its fourth season at the Rich Forum), Bah Humbug (writer/director), Six Feet Under the Big Top (composer/lyricist), Just Like a Woman (composer/lyricist, Music Theatre of Connecticut), Baby (Polka Dot Playhouse), Christopher Columbus and Operetta in Red, White and Blue.

The Fantasticks begins performances June 17 and continues through June 26. Performances are 8 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 PM matinees on June 25 and June 26 as well as 7:30 PM on June 19.

Tickets are $34 and $44 (includes theatre restoration fee).

For information, visiting Telecharge.com or call (800) 233-3123 or visit www.onlyatsca.com

Rich Forum and the Palace Theatre are at 307 and 61 Atlantic Street, respectively, in downtown Stamford, CT.

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Stamford Center for the Arts (SCA), a not-for-profit arts organization, is dedicated to serving as the region's premier center for the performing arts.

SCA operates two facilities: the restored historic Palace Theatre (61 Atlantic Street) and the Rich Forum (307 Atlantic Street), both within four blocks of each other in downtown Stamford, Connecticut.

Each season, SCA creates, presents and promotes entertainment, education and outreach programs by offering more than 250 individual events that include live theatre, concerts, comedy and dance entertainment from throughout the world, plus art exhibitions.

The Palace Theatre, a 1580-seat Thomas Lamb designed vaudeville house, was acclaimed as "Connecticut's Most Magnificent" when it opened in 1927. It was restored and re-opened in 1983 for live theatre, concerts and art exhibitions in the Sackler Gallery. A recently completed multi-phase Palace Improvement Project has provided the Palace Theatre with an enlarged stage, new dressing rooms and other technical-support facilities, and improved services.

Rich Forum, which opened in 1992, is an arts and communications center that includes the 757-seat Truglia (proscenium) Theatre; the Leonhardt Studio (black box theatre) for more intimate performance events or social gatherings; the Mercede Promenade, which is the main lobby and reception area that can also serve as an alternative performance/display space. The front-of-the-house upper level includes the elegant Rossi Salon, with a panoramic view of downtown Stamford, which can accommodate up to 25 people for small business or social gatherings/receptions and the Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Gallery, which overlooks the Mercede Promenade.

Both the Rich Forum and Palace Theatre seasons include performances by Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra, Stamford Symphony Orchestra, New England Lyric Operetta, Ballet School of Stamford, Young Artist Philharmonic, Lumina String Quartet, Zig Zag Ballet, The Perry Players, as well as stage productions specifically for young audiences.

SCA produces an annual fringe festival of new works, plus readings and workshops of new shows throughout the year. SCA's executive director is Douglas C. Evans, its artistic director is George E. Moredock III. Jenny Ober is general manager.

 
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