Gettysburg Community Theatre to Present THE FANTASTICKS, Beginning 1/25

The Gettysburg Community Theatre will kick off their new 2013 season with the musical The Fantasticks (yes that is the way the show title is spelled), which is the world's longest running show. It will play at GCT located at 49 York Street within the first block of Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg January 25 and 26 at 7pm and January 26 and 27 at 2pm. Tickets are $15 reserved seating and include a wine reception. Tickets can be ordered online at www.GettysburgCommunityTheatre.org or by calling the theatre at 717-334-2692 or at the door one hour before show time.

The Fantasticks tells the story of a young man and the girl next door, whose parents have built a wall to keep them apart. The youngsters nevertheless contrive to meet and fall in love. Their parents, meanwhile, are congratulating themselves, for they have erected the wall and staged a feud in order to achieve, by negation, a marriage between their willfully disobedient children. A narrator sets the imagined scene and, in due time, progresses to the role of professional abductor, convincing the giddy youngsters that they are deeply embroiled in a melodramatic encounter in a garden under the moonlight. The evening itself is entirely concerned with the notion that children - of whatever age - cannot fall in love unless their love is forbidden. The abductor pretends to fall before the onslaught of the young man, letting the boy think he is a hero when he rescues the girl from a band of villains. The night is full of moonlight and romance. The sun comes up and the day brings an end to dreams. The lovers must be taught to face reality. The dashing vagabond, who was their guide to romance and illusion, becomes their instructor in disillusionment. It is only when he has shown the boy the harshness of the world that looks so filled with promise of bright adventure, and has let the girl see that love can be false, that they come to understand each other. Written in 1960 by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, The Fantasticks is considered timeless by many avid theatre goers. It's original off-Broadway production ran a total of 42 years and 17,162 performances, making it the world's longest-running musical.

The current cast at GCT includes veteran performer and loving called "The Baritone of Gettysburg", Mr. Wayne Hill as El Gallo, Steve Herr and Ed Riggs as the fathers, Chad-Alan Carr as the boy, Kyleigh Grim as the girl, Jill Herr as the mute, and Greg Trax and Hans Schroeder as the old actors, along with Mary George and Jane Johnston as the pianists on stage in this romantic musical comedy sure to bring love and laughter to all ages.
Wayne Hill is a favorite local performer having been born in Gettysburg and graduated from Susquehanna University in 1970 with a degree in Economics. In 1968 he performed the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks at Susquehanna. He has performed at the York Little Theater, has had the baritone lead in ten Harrisburg Opera performances, and sings regularly in "Music, Gettysburg!" programs and for Civil War remembrance events. He has been a member of the St. James Adult choir since 1974. Recently he has performed in Florida for friend raising concerts for the Gettysburg Seminary. He is married to Susan and has three grown daughters, and two grand children. Wayne is the Treasurer of the GCT board.

"Seeing these seasoned community actors on our tiny stage in our intimate 80 seat theatre", says Chad-Alan Carr, GCT's Founding Executive/Artistic Director, "is a true delight for a show such as The Fantasticks. Our stage is the perfect place for such a quaint, simple and charming musical such as this. I know our students will enjoy seeing these grown ups have fun and play act this very silly and ridiculous comedy, as will the public. It's great for all ages."

The Fantasticks plays January 25-27, 2013 for four performances only at GCT. Tickets are available online or at the door one hour before show time.

Upcoming performances at GCT include With Love From Gerhswin, a cabaret starring Pamela Cooper-White, playing February 1-3, 2013, and The Wizard of Oz with a cast of 40 local children playing February 22-24, 2013. Auditions will be held at GCT at 7pm February 24 and 25 for ages 4-18 plus adults for upcoming musicals: Dora The Explorer LIVE, Grease, The Civil War, and The Children of Gettysburg (a new musical).

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