Is a musical about illusions: the illusions of the young lovers, the illusions of their parents, the illusions of the old actors. But most of all, it is about the theatrical illusion itself, that tacit agreement between the artists and the audience to create an imaginary world together, to draw forth moonlight from a cardboard disc and, by an act of mutual magic, to transform a few scraps of torn paper into gently falling snow.
Theatre in the Woods (TitW) will present the world’s longest-running musical, “The Fantasticks” at the Erika Quam Memorial Theater, 605 1st. Street, Shell Lake, March 9,10,11 at 7:30 and again Sunday March 12 at 2:00.
“The Fantasticks” is an exquisitely crafted modest tale told through a score that is as wry as it is rhapsodic. According to George Bernard Shaw there are two tragedies in life. “One is not to get your heart’s desire. The other is to get it.” This play takes us on a journey with a boy and a girl, and their parents, to discover that the “happy ending” of fairy tales is not always the whole story.
Cast members are Phil Warner of Cumberland, Sarah Van Etten, Jenny Van Etten and Karen Kaufman of Sarona, Bryant Fox of Shell Lake, Del Bakkum and Laurie Bakkum of Spooner, and Steve Carlson of Trego. Carolyn Burnett of Birchwood directs. Tamara Smith of Shell Lake accompanies. Admission is $10.00, with a Senior Sunday Special of $8.00. Reservations may be made by calling 468-4387.
