After a 42-year haul, the longest running musical on Broadway, "The Fantasticks," recently closed its doors on January 13, 2002. However, the famous love story that has become so memorable in American society still lives on. This weekend on campus, The Farley Hall Players will perform their own version of "The Fantasticks."

The musical itself is relatively simple and small. This is not "Les Miserables" with swarming crowds and intricate subplots. "The Fantasticks" is a clever and charming story filled with love, deception and eventually, renewal. In the words of Lizzie Bracken, the show's director, the production "is a great size musical for Farley Hall Players and is told in a simply beautiful way. The characters are interesting and provide a great opportunity for the actors."

The set is very plain, consisting of two chairs, an imaginary wall, a curtain backdrop that changes throughout the performance and a few props. This humble setting works well with the basic storyline and cast of eight characters. "There aren't many boundaries so every person involved in the production can be as creative as they want," Bracken said.

The musical starts off with an overture presented by the pianist, Lauren Prieto. Throughout the show, Prieto skillfully plays each melody. Her timing and rhythm keep the show going at a constant rate.

The short intro segues into "Try to Remember," perhaps the most well-known song from the musical. With deep and powerful vocals, The Narrator (Zack Linnert) establishes one of the central themes of the play — to remember the good times, even through times of sorrow or depression. He sings, "Try to remember when life was so tender/ That no one wept except the willow."

Next, the Narrator presents the primary characters. Luisa, played by Devon Candura, is a beautiful, young, self-absorbed and self-proclaimed "princess." She desperately wants to try new things and discover the outside world. Matt, played by Matthew Curtin, is a little more experienced through age and education, and believes he knows everything there is to know. Ironically, the two hopeless romantics live right next door to one another.

Yet, their love does not come easy. The lovers' fathers have constructed a wall between the two properties and have organized a fake feud between the families. Comically shadowing Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the lovers secretly meet against the phony wishes of their fathers and talk about their grand future.

While love brings Luisa and Matt together, the strange hobby of gardening allows the fathers to bond and talk of their own plans. Christopher Scott plays Luisa's father, Bellomy, and Tommy Curtin plays Matt's father, Hucklebee. Their quirkiness, physical comedy and hilarious interactions are some of the highlights of the musical. Bellomy is constantly watering his garden and proclaims, "Vegetables are dependable," while Hucklebee is wearing goofy suspenders and always trimming his bushes.

After the lovers go inside, the two proud fathers meet to discuss the futures of their children. They agree that their phony plan has worked thus far, but Matt must rescue Luisa so he appears worthy of her hand. Hucklebee tells Bellomy that he has propositioned a villain to appraise their situation and to abduct the innocent Luisa.

El Gallo, also played by Zack Linnert, is a greedy and sneaky character whose world revolves around money and deceit. He bargains with the two fathers on what type of "rape" Luisa should receive in the dark number "Depends On What You Pay." In 1960, when the play was originally performed, there was much controversy over the subject matter and language in the song. Even in 2002, a viewer's initial reaction may be one of surprise or shock, but the carefree and confident performance of the song reassures the audience.

At this time, El Gallo introduces his partners in crime. Molly McShane plays the perpetrating poet, Henry, and Mary Beth Asmussen plays the incognito Indian sidekick, Mortimer. This criminal odd couple seems out of place at first, but their absurdity parallels the ridiculous deal made with El Gallo and the fathers.

Eventually, the time comes for the pretend attack to occur. All three of the criminals fall and play dead as Matt emerges as the hero of the night. The fathers are elated and publicly allow Matt and Luisa to continue their relationship. The closing scene of the first act shows the two lovers embracing as their fathers observe affectionately. Still, the Narrator asks the question, "Will it last?"

In the beginning of the next act, the question is answered with the tune "This Plum is Too Ripe." The classic lesson of "things being too good to be true" is taught as the characters realize things have changed. Luisa and Matt each have different perceptions of one another in the sunlight. After the song "I Can See It," Matt believes he knows the secrets of the outside world and leaves home in a hurry. Meanwhile, Luisa falls into a miserable state, sadly daydreaming each day.

Just as things seem like they could only get worse, the two fathers run into each other and reconcile their differences by starting up a conversation on vegetables. "Plant a Radish" is an entertaining song and dance number, which has the fathers kicking their feet and tipping their hats. At the same time, El Gallo has taken Luisa to the city and is trying to seduce her as Henry and Mortimer are torturing Matt.

Luisa and El Gallo next perform "Beyond That Road," a song that corresponds with "I Can See It." This time around, Luisa is trying to discover what the outside world holds. Zinnert's deep, serious and convincing voice bellows with the beautiful and clear voice of Candura. Shortly after, Matt and Luisa meet again and rekindle their romance. They realize that the happiness they were looking for in other places was false, and that in reality, what they were really searching for was right next-door.

All in all, the production is a great success. The talent of the actors and their vocal skill is very impressive. At times, the show seems a little congested, with multiple things going on at once, but this is a result of the space limitations of the staging. Also, the ending is somewhat brisk, and the play seems to jump from confusion to instant happiness. However, the strong parts of the play, such as the amusing interactions between Luisa and Matt, and Bellomy and Hucklebee, make the production very worthwhile.

Perhaps the element that makes the musical so enjoyable, however, is its comic and witty take on love. Everyone can relate to innocent love, goofy friends and the dorky parental figures found in the show. To Bracken, "`The Fantasticks'" is about letting go of youthful illusions and finding the joy in reality. It's about growing up and learning all the terrible and wonderful truths about the world particularly those truths about love. It's an interesting story because I think everyone in the audience will be able to relate, but which character they relate to and why will vary quite a bit."

The Farley Hall Players will perform "The Fantasticks" this Sunday, April 28 at 3 and 6 p.m. in the LaFortune Ballroom. Admission is $5 and tickets will be available at the door. A special Farley Hall performance will be also take place on Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m.

Contact Mike Schmuhl at mschmuhl@nd.edu

• The four freshman of the theatre
  
• The Fantasticks