Ranney Students Capture the Magic of Young Love in The Fantasticks

It may be fifty years since The Fantasticks premiered at New York’s Sullivan Street Theater but Ranney’s recent revival of this familiar classic hasn’t lost any of the play’s original charm, freshness or vitality thanks to the winning performances of its young cast of students.

Presented by Ranney International Thespian Troupe #630, the March 4-6 production not only commemorates the golden anniversary of the original off-Broadway play by composers Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, but gives a celebratory nod to Ranney’s 50th milestone, as well.

Under the capable direction of drama teacher John Doyle, musical director Tess Nielsen, and Kevin Cotter on lighting design, the production also featured guest musician and harpist Maryanne Meyer who provided just the right musical backdrop to the world’s longest running musical.

The story of young love is the essence of The Fantasticks and what better way to demonstrate the trials and tribulations of those tender and poignant moments than with performers who are almost the same age as the play’s protagonists, Matt and Luisa. The intimacy of the Commons Black Box Theater gave almost all theatergoers ‘front-row seats’ as members of the Ranney community, family and friends hummed in unison to the musical’s opening and signature song “Try to Remember.” The familiar and cherished number was a fitting melody to tell the timeless love story of young love, lost love and the rediscovery of love as audience members followed the youthful protagonists, Matt and Luisa on their road to romance and adventure. Their journey is cleverly interrupted by their conspiring fathers, played with great humor by Ross Bernstein as Hucklebee and Ben Mooney as Bellomy, and the dashing El Gallo, played by Ben Puvalowski.

But what made this production shine was the polished yet tender performances of young Hannah Simpson and Peter Giovine. Simpson gave a perfectly pitched and disarmingly sweet performance as young Luisa, while Giovine lent an insightful and youthful urgency to the role of Matt.

Ranney’s production of The Fantasticks stayed true to the original and, in doing so, remained as timeless and enjoyable for today’s audience as it did 50 years ago. Bravo to Ranney’s cast and crew on yet another magical night of theater!

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