(Cheviot, OH) The Drama Workshop’s production of the classic musical, ‘The Fantasticks’, opens on Friday, April 22, at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Avenue in Cheviot. It is the final production of TDW’s record-attendance 2015-2016 season.
‘The Fantasticks’, by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, is the world’s longest running musical – running for over 50 years in Manhattan and entrancing generations of audiences the world over. ‘The Fantasticks’ is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, two meddling fathers and a wall. The boy and the girl fall in love, but then grow apart, thanks to their fathers’ actions. Can the mysterious El Gallo bring them back together, reminding them that “without a hurt, the heart is hollow”? The famous score, which includes the classic songs Try to Remember, They Were You, and Soon It’s Gonna Rain, is as timeless as the story itself.
The cast includes Geoffrey Hill (The Mute), Jonny Hofmann (El Gallo), Jacob Lucas (Matt), Jack Williams (The Old Actor), Mike Robb (Mortimer), Mark Waldfogle (Hucklebee), Russ McGee (Bellamy), and Maria Huey (Luisa).
Wyoming resident Jonny Hoffman plays El Gallo. “I chose ‘The Fantasticks’ as my return to the stage because of the twist on a classic love story and the wonderful and dynamic music within the show, “ he said, “I’m truly humbled to be working with such a talented cast!”
Russ McGee makes the drive from Crittenden, Kentucky, to rehearse in Cheviot as the character Bellamy. “I think the audiences will love the show, the beautiful and classic songs, the silliness, and the overall meaning,” he explained. “Since the first show I saw at The Drama Workshop, I knew I wanted to act on that stage. They have such a reputation for producing quality shows and having a good time while they do.”
Mike Robb, who plays Mortimer, is a long-time fixture in Cincinnati community theatre, and has worked with many groups – but this is the first time he’s performed with The Drama Workshop. “This is the third time that I have been fortunate enough to be cast in ‘The Fantasticks’, and the folk at TDW have welcomed me with open arms. I am very fond of this play and with this cast, I think that the audience will love it!”
‘The Fantasticks’ runs April 22 through May 8 at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave in Cheviot. The show offers Friday and Saturday evening performances beginning at 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinees starting at 2 pm.
Tickets are $16 each when ordered in advance, or $17 at the door. Shows at TDW frequently sell out, so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets may be ordered by phoning the TDW 24/7 ticket line at 513.598.8303, or by ordering online through the TDW website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.
The Drama Workshop was founded in 1954. TDW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education and promotion of the theatrical arts. The Drama Workshop is widely recognized as one of greater Cincinnati’s most accomplished community theater organizations, garnering dozens of awards annually from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati. In 2015, they were the most-recognized group in the greater Cincinnati area for theatrical excellence.
TDW productions are frequently been selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference. TDW was also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the 2013 American Association of Community Theatre regional conference in Hartford, Wisconsin. The Drama Workshop has been recognized the Cincinnati Preservation Association for their efforts to rehabilitate the former Glenmore Bowl into The Glenmore Playhouse.
Prospective members, and individuals or businesses interested in becoming involved or in helping advance TDW’s mission are encouraged to contact the group through our website at www.thedramaworkshop.org, or by phone at 513.598.8303.