The Fantasticks

Sydney's Genesian Theatre is staging The Fantasticks, the show famous for being the longest running musical in history - it's been running in New York since 1960. 

The Sydney production features spirited performances on a shoe-string budget. Katerina Vigh (Luisa) and Zach La Cava (Matt) are superbly cast. Their young voices carry the audience with them on their journey of youthful love. The score presents some vocal challenges early on which they deliver with confidence and precision.

After sitting silently with their backs to the audience for what seems like an eternity at the opening, fathers Vincent O'Neill (Hucklebee) and Robert Green (Bellomy) come to life and plot to get their children together.

Musical Director Adam Majsay supports the singers on piano with subtlety and grace.

This low-tech production relies on old fashioned staging techniques which are a welcome change to the dancing lights and everything's possible approach of the megabucks big shows. They complement the sweet love of Luisa and Matt and take us back to a time when story line and music ruled supreme over whiz-bangery on the stage.

The Fantasticks is a feel good musical, director Roger Gimblett's production is bound to leave you with a smile on your dial.

David Fisher