BWW Interviews: Jeff Lillico and Krystin Pellerin talk The Fantasticks

The Fantasticks is the longest running American musical, with an off-Broadway run that exceeded 40 years. Beloved and cherished, Soulpepper is currently putting on a production of this delightful show at The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. BWW sat down and talked to the romantic leads, Jeff Lillico and Krystin Pellerin about doing a musical and about their feelings on this show:

The Fantasticks is an American institution, with a 40+ year Off-Broadway run and "Try to Remember" being adopted as an anthem of sorts after 9/11. How do you feel the show translates to a Canadian audience?

JL: I think it translates every bit as much to a Canadian audience as it would to an American. It's incredibly heart-warming, entertaining and compelling and all of the things that make it so are universal. It's no surprise to me that it's been produced the world over, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

KP: I think The Fantasticks is an incredibly accessible piece. It speaks to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are Canadian, American or any other nationality, the lessons that Matt and Luisa learn and grow from are clear and relevant to any individual. The words that have stayed with me the most are ' Without a hurt the heart is hollow'. It is possible for struggle and heartache to lead to deep understanding and wonderful discoveries in time.

Have you seen any other productions of the show (or the movie version)? If so, how do you feel this one compares? What are you doing differently?

JL: I've never seen a production before so I have no idea what we're doing differently. I definitely avoided the soundtrack or any other recordings though and tried to let it develop organically in rehearsal to whatever it would be. We had about 5 weeks so it felt like plenty of time to create something complete that was our own. Hopefully the diehard fans won't be too infuriated if we've not done everything quite the way one might be accustomed to seeing it.

KP: I haven't seen another production or the movie so I'm coming to The Fantasticks with a clean slate really. Our goal from the beginning was always to be as true to the characters and their journey as possible. We didn't really seek out to reinvent the piece as much as stay closest to the essence of the story. The Fantasticks has a beautiful simplicity about it, so we try to stay out of the way as much as we can and let the story speak for itself.

This show is one of the few musicals in the 2011-2012 Soulpepper Season, how do you feel when tackling musicals instead of plays? Is it a welcome change?

JL: I began in Musical Theatre but have been doing far more plays over the past many years. It's a thrill to be back doing a musical again. I love to sing and tell stories through music and wish I could always be doing plays and musicals alongside one another.

KP: Having come back to musical theatre after 5 years, I have a whole new appreciation for people who do it all the time. In the beginning of the rehearsal process is was overwhelming, trying to understand how to sing well, dance well, and act truthfully all at once. A musical is much more physically demanding and because of the three tasks at hand it requires a specific kind of mental dexterity that I definitely wasn't used to. But once we got the hang of it, it was so much fun for us. Especially having just come off playing a hardnosed cop on Republic of Doyle for 6 months, it felt like a dream to be playing somebody so fanciful. Playing a girl who thinks she's a princess is definitely a welcome change.

What is your favourite song in the show? And you can't pick "Try to Remember"...

JL: I think I'd have to say THEY WERE YOU. I love how Matt and Luisa have both been broKen Down to the absolute lowest point possible and suddenly out of nowhere, there they are, sitting a few feet apart from each other. It's like a Beckett play to me in that moment. Without daring to presume any possibility of redemption from the other, they come to the realization of their own mistakes and what they mean to one another. It's a profoundly simple, moving and beautiful song.

KP: I love 'I Can See It' :) It gets me all riled up!

The show is getting fantastic word of mouth through social media channels, what would you say to encourage a younger audience to come see the show?

JL: It's Dope. ....That's what kids like right? No.. I think I would say this is a really fascinating, entertaining, funny, clever, wonderful show. It's not like some musicals from that time period that could be labeled as schmaltzy or sentimental in a two-dimensional way. It's totally unique and turns the whole form of musical theatre upside down and goes places you'd never expect it to. It was way ahead of its time. That's why it's the longest running show in the history of musical theatre and is still hooking audiences today. But I sound like I'm rambling, so maybe I'd stick with -- It's Dope.

KP: It's a definite must see, especially for younger audiences! It has everything, great music, romance, sword fights, pirates, abductions, bandits, it's full of action and it's hilarious too! Not to be missed!!

When and Where?
The Fantasticks
Young Centre for the Performing Arts

For complete performance schedule (including Talk Back Tuesdays) please visit the official website here:

Tickets range from $28 to $60 and are available by phone at 416-866-8666 or online at www.soulpepper.ca

$22 tickets are available for 21-30 year olds through www.stageplay.ca StagePlay is sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group

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