Standing Ovation for The Fantasticks
Congratulations to Director Rosie Gordon, and the cast and crew of The Fantasticks!
Cast for Upcoming Musical, ‘The Fantasticks
Top row, from left: Douglas Ladnier (El Gallo), Abigail Christensen (Luisa), Brooks Hope (Matt); Middle row, from left: Richard Kuhlman (Hucklebee), Marcus Kettles (Bellomy), Denise Heller (The Mute); Bottom row, from left: Michael McCarthy (Henry), James Baker (Mortimer), Ryan Garces (The Mechanic)
The Ojai Performing Arts Theater (OPAT) found a spectacular cast, who take the stage August 25-27 and September 1-3 at Matilija Auditorium. Come see why "The Fantasticks" holds the record for the longest running musical in theater history, with its simple story of first love, first heartbreak, first dreams…told with tenderness, humor, and exquisite music.
OPAT’s CEO Joan Kemper said, “It fulfills an important element of our charter, to use professional actors, combined with beautiful local talent, to make this the best community theater we can be.”
The sexy, golden-voiced, El Gallo is played by Douglas Ladnier, a Broadway veteran who performed 11 roles in the original Broadway production of “Jekyll &Hyde” and appeared in more than 65 countries around the world. The New York Times calls this heartbreaker, simply, “The best.”
Kansas City transplant Abigail Christensen (Luisa) performed in the North Kansas City Ballet. Some of her previous productions include “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Man of La Mancha,” and “The Addams Family.” Director Rosie Gordon said, “Her duet with Brooks will break your heart…in a good way!”
Classically trained jazz vocalist and actor Brooks Hope (Matt) graduated from Bennington College and has graced the stage in several projects such as Schubert’s twenty song cycle “Die schöne Müllerin,” and OPAT’s “A Grand Night for Ojai: the Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein.”
Richard Kuhlman (Hucklebee) starred in numerous Ojai shows, including the noble Macduff in “Macbeth,” and the not-so-noble Toby Belch in “12th Night.” An actor since childhood, he was also the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Festival of Cincinnati and worked with the world famous the Goodman Theater and Second City in Chicago.
Marcus Kettles (Bellomy) performed in numerous shows in Ventura County, most recently playing Frollo in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
Michael McCarthy (Henry) started acting in 2016 as Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family.” Since then, he’s played it for laughs as the sweetly big-hearted elephant, Horton, in “Seussical,” as Little Bo Peep in “Cinderella,” and more.
Ojai resident James Baker (Mortimer) acted with several local Improv groups and local productions. He tickled audiences in OACT’s productions of “Elf the Musical” and “The Music Man.”
Denise Heller (The Mute), probably needs no introduction for Ojai audiences. She has charmed us with her lovely voice in many shows across the years.
Ryan Garces (The Mechanic) rounds out the cast. He’s young, he’s charming, he’s a mover and a shaker!
"The Fantasticks" runs August 25-27, September 1-3 at Matilija Auditorium. Tickets: $40/$35 seniors or students. Opening night VIP tickets ($125) include preferred parking, seating in the first three rows, and entrance to the spectacular opening night post-show party. Go to ojaitheater.org and join the fun!
OPAT’s CEO Joan Kemper said, “It fulfills an important element of our charter, to use professional actors, combined with beautiful local talent, to make this the best community theater we can be.”
The sexy, golden-voiced, El Gallo is played by Douglas Ladnier, a Broadway veteran who performed 11 roles in the original Broadway production of “Jekyll &Hyde” and appeared in more than 65 countries around the world. The New York Times calls this heartbreaker, simply, “The best.”
Kansas City transplant Abigail Christensen (Luisa) performed in the North Kansas City Ballet. Some of her previous productions include “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Man of La Mancha,” and “The Addams Family.” Director Rosie Gordon said, “Her duet with Brooks will break your heart…in a good way!”
Classically trained jazz vocalist and actor Brooks Hope (Matt) graduated from Bennington College and has graced the stage in several projects such as Schubert’s twenty song cycle “Die schöne Müllerin,” and OPAT’s “A Grand Night for Ojai: the Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein.”
Richard Kuhlman (Hucklebee) starred in numerous Ojai shows, including the noble Macduff in “Macbeth,” and the not-so-noble Toby Belch in “12th Night.” An actor since childhood, he was also the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Festival of Cincinnati and worked with the world famous the Goodman Theater and Second City in Chicago.
Marcus Kettles (Bellomy) performed in numerous shows in Ventura County, most recently playing Frollo in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
Michael McCarthy (Henry) started acting in 2016 as Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family.” Since then, he’s played it for laughs as the sweetly big-hearted elephant, Horton, in “Seussical,” as Little Bo Peep in “Cinderella,” and more.
Ojai resident James Baker (Mortimer) acted with several local Improv groups and local productions. He tickled audiences in OACT’s productions of “Elf the Musical” and “The Music Man.”
Denise Heller (The Mute), probably needs no introduction for Ojai audiences. She has charmed us with her lovely voice in many shows across the years.
Ryan Garces (The Mechanic) rounds out the cast. He’s young, he’s charming, he’s a mover and a shaker!
"The Fantasticks" runs August 25-27, September 1-3 at Matilija Auditorium. Tickets: $40/$35 seniors or students. Opening night VIP tickets ($125) include preferred parking, seating in the first three rows, and entrance to the spectacular opening night post-show party. Go to ojaitheater.org and join the fun!
Broadway Star Appears in "The Fantasticks"
Rex Reed in the NY Observer said of him: “This guy’s melting baritone could single-handedly revive the art of the ballad, the love song, and the heartbreaker.” The NY Times did not mince words with this very succinct appraisal, “the best.”
Douglas Ladnier is a Broadway veteran, having performed eleven roles in Broadway’s Jekyll & Hyde. He’s also appeared as Sweeney Todd, as Dracula and “torch-songed” in famous club rooms such as New York’s Town Hall, 54 Below, the Metropolitan Room and L.A.’s Viper Room, the Roxy, and the Troubadour. Now he’s set to appear as El Gallo in the Ojai Performing Arts Theater production of The Fantasticks. OPAT asked its Artistic Director, Richard Camp to find out more about him for our audiences.
RC: Douglas, what drew you to the character of El Gallo?
DL: I’m thrilled to be here and so excited to dive into this complex and delightful character. El Gallo is a dream role for me because he is charming, romantic, enigmatic and charismatic but he also has a more sinister side at times. And the songs he gets to sing are iconic musical theater masterpieces like "Try to Remember" and "I Can See It," and actually like the show itself, a masterpiece of musical theater telling a beautiful, timeless love story! Can you see why I'm so thrilled?
RC: What do you hope audiences will take away from this show?
DL: Well, most importantly, I hope our audience members will simply sit back and enjoy themselves, as we tell this hopeful tale of love, happiness, and the human condition. Perhaps we may trigger some self-reflection on each person's unique but somehow universal journey to love and a twinkling memory of everyone's first kiss. But above all...I hope we inspire laughter and joy, and stir up some fun.
RC: How did you get started in theater? Are you from a theatrical family?
DL: I started singing when I was two or three. It's the first thing I remember, actually, that I’m a singer. Strange maybe to know that so young but it's always been my identity since way back when. I grew up mostly in Kansas and did a lot of theater there as a child and as soon as I graduated from college I left Kansas and took my first professional theater job and haven't stopped since. The entertainment business has taken me to more than 65 countries so far and has opened the door to so many wonderful friendships and opportunities. I’m grateful to be able to spend my life doing what I love doing…entertaining. This is all really a dream come true for me, still.
RC: What's your all-time dream role?
DL: El Gallo is a big dream role of mine! Also I LOVE playing Sweeney Todd. He is another beautifully complex character that is wildly satisfying to sing and play. The music and story of Sweeney are genius! A role I want to play but haven't YET is Javert in Les Miserables. One day soon, I hope.
RC: To state the obvious, we’re very excited to have you join the rest of our very talented cast here in Ojai.
DL: I would love to thank everyone involved in OPAT for their terrific work and for welcoming me here with open arms and open hearts. On behalf of the entire cast - we hope EVERYONE gets a chance to come see our show and share some smiles and laughs along the way.
The Fantasticks runs August 25-27, September 1-3 at Matilija Auditorium. Tickets: $40/$35 seniors or students. Opening night VIP tickets ($125) include preferred parking, seating in the first three rows, and entrance to the spectacular opening night post-show party. Go to ojaitheater.org and join the fun!
Douglas Ladnier is a Broadway veteran, having performed eleven roles in Broadway’s Jekyll & Hyde. He’s also appeared as Sweeney Todd, as Dracula and “torch-songed” in famous club rooms such as New York’s Town Hall, 54 Below, the Metropolitan Room and L.A.’s Viper Room, the Roxy, and the Troubadour. Now he’s set to appear as El Gallo in the Ojai Performing Arts Theater production of The Fantasticks. OPAT asked its Artistic Director, Richard Camp to find out more about him for our audiences.
RC: Douglas, what drew you to the character of El Gallo?
DL: I’m thrilled to be here and so excited to dive into this complex and delightful character. El Gallo is a dream role for me because he is charming, romantic, enigmatic and charismatic but he also has a more sinister side at times. And the songs he gets to sing are iconic musical theater masterpieces like "Try to Remember" and "I Can See It," and actually like the show itself, a masterpiece of musical theater telling a beautiful, timeless love story! Can you see why I'm so thrilled?
RC: What do you hope audiences will take away from this show?
DL: Well, most importantly, I hope our audience members will simply sit back and enjoy themselves, as we tell this hopeful tale of love, happiness, and the human condition. Perhaps we may trigger some self-reflection on each person's unique but somehow universal journey to love and a twinkling memory of everyone's first kiss. But above all...I hope we inspire laughter and joy, and stir up some fun.
RC: How did you get started in theater? Are you from a theatrical family?
DL: I started singing when I was two or three. It's the first thing I remember, actually, that I’m a singer. Strange maybe to know that so young but it's always been my identity since way back when. I grew up mostly in Kansas and did a lot of theater there as a child and as soon as I graduated from college I left Kansas and took my first professional theater job and haven't stopped since. The entertainment business has taken me to more than 65 countries so far and has opened the door to so many wonderful friendships and opportunities. I’m grateful to be able to spend my life doing what I love doing…entertaining. This is all really a dream come true for me, still.
RC: What's your all-time dream role?
DL: El Gallo is a big dream role of mine! Also I LOVE playing Sweeney Todd. He is another beautifully complex character that is wildly satisfying to sing and play. The music and story of Sweeney are genius! A role I want to play but haven't YET is Javert in Les Miserables. One day soon, I hope.
RC: To state the obvious, we’re very excited to have you join the rest of our very talented cast here in Ojai.
DL: I would love to thank everyone involved in OPAT for their terrific work and for welcoming me here with open arms and open hearts. On behalf of the entire cast - we hope EVERYONE gets a chance to come see our show and share some smiles and laughs along the way.
The Fantasticks runs August 25-27, September 1-3 at Matilija Auditorium. Tickets: $40/$35 seniors or students. Opening night VIP tickets ($125) include preferred parking, seating in the first three rows, and entrance to the spectacular opening night post-show party. Go to ojaitheater.org and join the fun!
Dancing with "The Fantasticks"
What’s a musical without song and dance? “The Fantasticks” will have the best of both, with the classic songs and music overseen by OPAT’s long time and supremely talented music director Andy Street, who needs no introduction to Ojai audiences AND with a newcomer to our “tribe,” the splendid choreographer, Cate Caplin.
Caplin produced, directed, and choreographed more than 200 productions. Her work has been seen on television, in films, and in theatrical venues worldwide from the Paris Opera House to the Broadway Stage. She is a 34 times regional and international Theatrical Ballroom Dance Champion, a theatre and dance coach, and the recipient of a Garland Award, a Women In Theatre Red Carpet Award, multiple LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards and received an Award of Excellence from the LA Film Commission for her work as a Writer, Director, Choreographer and Producer. We’re very excited she found time to choreograph “The Fantasticks” for OPAT, and pleased that she shared some of her thoughts with us through Artistic Director Richard Camp.
RC: Cate, we welcome and thank you for joining us in this venture…. First off, “The Fantasticks” is not considered a big “dance musical,” so how did you approach the dancing in this charming show?
CC: This musical is a poetic time piece from another era of musical theatre and not a typical book musical stylistically. I’ve seen it done a variety of ways over the years and there’s definitely lots of room for individual interpretation. I started my creative wheels turning first by talking to Rosie, our director, discussing HER overall vision for the show, kicking around ideas and references and inquiring if she wanted more acting oriented “musical staging” or to look for ways and moments to have more actual dance choreography. Together we landed on a balanced combination of both!
RC: All the performers are new to you…tell us how you “break the ice.”
CC: I make it my job to find movement that serves the piece but most importantly choreography and staging that makes the actors shine. I listen to the music over and over, jot down lots of ideas and possible dance sequences I envision and then I custom design and build the choreography on the actors as we go. I also remain open and flexible adjusting and collaborating with the director and the actors.
RC: Please share with us the importance of movement and dance in a show such as this.
CC: This show has a whimsical, lighthearted, and jovial feel but there are also moments that feel dramatically theatrical, vaudevillian and in the style of classic Broadway. The musical staging and dances help to heighten the emotion and lyrics of the songs and the story being told.
RC: What’s your favorite number from the show? Why?
CC: “Soon it’s Gonna Rain” and “Try to Remember” are two beautiful songs that touch my romantic heartstrings. Of course I’m tickled by the comic tango and soft shoe elements in the father’s numbers together as well. Honestly I’m excited to finesse and refine all the puzzle pieces, transitions, and everything in-between.
RC: What’s it like working with Rosie and the cast?
CC: I had the pleasure of Directing Rosie in Kenneth Lonergan‘s “Lobby Hero“ last summer, and I feel honored to be collaborating with her again but this time for her debut directing a musical. Ultimately when it’s all put together and it’s time for opening night, if Rosie’s happy, I’m happy!
We trust your audience members will be very happy as well! “The Fantasticks” runs for two weekends only, August 25-27, and September 1-3. Don’t miss your chance to experience some of the most beautiful singing and dancing of the summer.
Caplin produced, directed, and choreographed more than 200 productions. Her work has been seen on television, in films, and in theatrical venues worldwide from the Paris Opera House to the Broadway Stage. She is a 34 times regional and international Theatrical Ballroom Dance Champion, a theatre and dance coach, and the recipient of a Garland Award, a Women In Theatre Red Carpet Award, multiple LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards and received an Award of Excellence from the LA Film Commission for her work as a Writer, Director, Choreographer and Producer. We’re very excited she found time to choreograph “The Fantasticks” for OPAT, and pleased that she shared some of her thoughts with us through Artistic Director Richard Camp.
RC: Cate, we welcome and thank you for joining us in this venture…. First off, “The Fantasticks” is not considered a big “dance musical,” so how did you approach the dancing in this charming show?
CC: This musical is a poetic time piece from another era of musical theatre and not a typical book musical stylistically. I’ve seen it done a variety of ways over the years and there’s definitely lots of room for individual interpretation. I started my creative wheels turning first by talking to Rosie, our director, discussing HER overall vision for the show, kicking around ideas and references and inquiring if she wanted more acting oriented “musical staging” or to look for ways and moments to have more actual dance choreography. Together we landed on a balanced combination of both!
RC: All the performers are new to you…tell us how you “break the ice.”
CC: I make it my job to find movement that serves the piece but most importantly choreography and staging that makes the actors shine. I listen to the music over and over, jot down lots of ideas and possible dance sequences I envision and then I custom design and build the choreography on the actors as we go. I also remain open and flexible adjusting and collaborating with the director and the actors.
RC: Please share with us the importance of movement and dance in a show such as this.
CC: This show has a whimsical, lighthearted, and jovial feel but there are also moments that feel dramatically theatrical, vaudevillian and in the style of classic Broadway. The musical staging and dances help to heighten the emotion and lyrics of the songs and the story being told.
RC: What’s your favorite number from the show? Why?
CC: “Soon it’s Gonna Rain” and “Try to Remember” are two beautiful songs that touch my romantic heartstrings. Of course I’m tickled by the comic tango and soft shoe elements in the father’s numbers together as well. Honestly I’m excited to finesse and refine all the puzzle pieces, transitions, and everything in-between.
RC: What’s it like working with Rosie and the cast?
CC: I had the pleasure of Directing Rosie in Kenneth Lonergan‘s “Lobby Hero“ last summer, and I feel honored to be collaborating with her again but this time for her debut directing a musical. Ultimately when it’s all put together and it’s time for opening night, if Rosie’s happy, I’m happy!
We trust your audience members will be very happy as well! “The Fantasticks” runs for two weekends only, August 25-27, and September 1-3. Don’t miss your chance to experience some of the most beautiful singing and dancing of the summer.
‘The Fantasticks’ Shines Bright in Ojai
"Douglas Ladnier as the devastatingly handsome swashbuckling brigand, El Gallo, who nonetheless plays for laughs is an immediately winning character. One Broadway critic writes 'he has a baritone voice that is richer than Fort Knox.' I can only add that there is some tone or element to it that pins you to your seat and makes you feel richer for the pinning. It is with this at once spellbinding and spell-breaking voice that he guides the narrative, taking us from tableau to action and angst and transformation and back again, humorously, poignantly, assuredly, deep-throatedly. You may not know it yet, but you need this show." - Sami Zahringer
Dedicated to Memory of Tom Jones
“The Fantasticks” closes Sunday on the Matilija stage…actually, that’s not quite true. The show happens on a beautiful extension of the Matilija stage, created and built by the quiet man behind the scenes. Our excellent set designer John Mirk has worked with OPAT for six years, building the frameworks for our shows. The set extends a dozen feet into the audience which helps the cast and director fulfill the wishes of the composer and lyricist, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones…“it should be played as closely to the audience as possible.”
This intimacy heightens the beauty of the dialogue and lyrics of Tom Jones, who recently left this world, but left behind a legacy that will stay with us long afterward. “The Fantasticks” is one of the most beloved musicals in the history of theater as well as holding the record for longest running. It does so by fulfilling the promise of what theater should be, from the very first storytellers in the Stone Age, through the ancient Greeks, through the medieval miracle/mystery plays to Shakespeare, to the Restoration plays, to the present. It continues a tradition of storytelling that helps us understand not only who we are but what we can be. And does it with tenderness and humor.
Both those sentiments are expressed gloriously in this score and libretto, which borrow liberally from “Romeo & Juliet,” “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Tristan & Isolde.” Love and magic weave a theatrical tapestry throughout the centuries.
Tom Jones, with Harvey Schmidt, also wrote the Broadway musicals "I Do! I Do!," "Celebration," and "110 in the Shade." They received Tony nominations for "I Do! I Do!" and "110 in the Shade," and Tom was a 1998 inductee into the American Theatre Hall of Fame, plus the recipient of an Obie Award, an ASCAP Richard Rodgers Award, and a special Tony Award for "The Fantasticks."
When we first announced this production of “The Fantasticks,” so many people said, “Oh, I love this show!” and “This was the first show I was ever in,” and “I saw this for my 12th birthday,” and on and on. Perhaps one of those people is you. Or, if it’s your first time, we invite you to come watch and listen, and try to remember the first time you fell in love, your first kiss, your first heartbreak, your first swim in a clear blue stream, the first time you danced in the rain, the first time you went to sleep with a dream beside your pillow…
We dedicate this production to his memory. It’s a show where, as he says, we can “Recall that secret place…where once, just once, in your crowded sunlit lifetime you hid away in the shadows from the tyranny of Time.”
This intimacy heightens the beauty of the dialogue and lyrics of Tom Jones, who recently left this world, but left behind a legacy that will stay with us long afterward. “The Fantasticks” is one of the most beloved musicals in the history of theater as well as holding the record for longest running. It does so by fulfilling the promise of what theater should be, from the very first storytellers in the Stone Age, through the ancient Greeks, through the medieval miracle/mystery plays to Shakespeare, to the Restoration plays, to the present. It continues a tradition of storytelling that helps us understand not only who we are but what we can be. And does it with tenderness and humor.
Both those sentiments are expressed gloriously in this score and libretto, which borrow liberally from “Romeo & Juliet,” “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Tristan & Isolde.” Love and magic weave a theatrical tapestry throughout the centuries.
Tom Jones, with Harvey Schmidt, also wrote the Broadway musicals "I Do! I Do!," "Celebration," and "110 in the Shade." They received Tony nominations for "I Do! I Do!" and "110 in the Shade," and Tom was a 1998 inductee into the American Theatre Hall of Fame, plus the recipient of an Obie Award, an ASCAP Richard Rodgers Award, and a special Tony Award for "The Fantasticks."
When we first announced this production of “The Fantasticks,” so many people said, “Oh, I love this show!” and “This was the first show I was ever in,” and “I saw this for my 12th birthday,” and on and on. Perhaps one of those people is you. Or, if it’s your first time, we invite you to come watch and listen, and try to remember the first time you fell in love, your first kiss, your first heartbreak, your first swim in a clear blue stream, the first time you danced in the rain, the first time you went to sleep with a dream beside your pillow…
We dedicate this production to his memory. It’s a show where, as he says, we can “Recall that secret place…where once, just once, in your crowded sunlit lifetime you hid away in the shadows from the tyranny of Time.”