By Debbie Blassingame Hale
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre MainStage ushered in its 87th season opener with the off-Broadway classic “The Fantasticks” last weekend.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this staple of American theater originally opened on May 3, 1960, and played 17,162 performances before closing on Jan. 13, 2002, making it the world’s longest-running musical.
Book and lyric writer Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt – the musical genius behind the catchy and unforgettable “Try To Remember” – weave an unparalleled scheme into this no-special-effects, simplistic wood platform set, complete with a cardboard moon and sun setting, allowing the audience to create and “remember” those unique, special simple times of innocent fantasy and unrelenting reality.
CTC director Scott Dunlap put together a strong cast of local favorites and veterans of previous CTC performances who compliment the simplicity of the setting and the nature of the story’s lesson of innocence in love and life and the pursuit of both.
Rob Inman is a favorite. He is suave and debonair in his interpretation of El Gallo, yet endearing as The Narrator. His tender rendition of “Try To Remember” evokes soul-stirring sentiment.
Kyle Howard as The Boy’s Father and Thomas Alford as The Girl’s Father create a whimsical duo in their respective characterizations. Their vocals are very good, and both seem quite comfortable in choreographed moves.
Without a doubt, the two show-stoppers are Ray Laliberte as The Old Actor and Stacy Helton as The Man Who Dies.
Both are hilarious, and both show unrestrained willingness to throw themselves into the role.
Jennelle Gilreath is The Girl and Matt Lynn is The Boy. Lynn really looks the part of the innocent, budding young man while also providing a beautiful vocal performance. Gilreath’s eyes are extremely expressive as her development of the 16-year-old teenage “bundle of energy” is educated in the ways of the world.
Sandra Jennings is The Mute. Busy the entire evening, Jennings provides continuity throughout. She is an excellent wall.
Other members of the production include music director Mike Lees and choreographer Lindsay Fussell. Dunlap also handled scenery and costumes. Tom Goddard did the lighting. Music was provided by Marcia Smith and Mike Lees on piano, with Caroline Brown Hudson and Katherine Newman on harp.
The CTC does a great job in its production in keeping “The Fantasticks” simply the way it was intended, right down to the musical accompaniment of one piano and a harp.