Theater Reviews : ‘Fantasticks’ Voyage: Fresh Is Familiar

LA HABRA — Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s “The Fantasticks” has been running in New York City for 3 1/2 decades, and with good reason: It’s still a charmer, in spite of its coloring-book guilelessness.

A successful production of this little classic rests entirely on how willing the director and cast are to let it speak for itself. At La Habra Depot Theatre, director Larry Blake and his cast do just that, infusing it with just enough individuality to keep it fresh.

David Frederick Fogg is a stalwart El Gallo, narrating the story of star-crossed lovers who finally manage to get their star uncrossed enough to live happily ever after. Fogg’s gentle baritone is just right for his gentle approach to El Gallo’s trickery.

Charlie Visnic and Heather Dickenson are youthful and charming as the boy and girl who have grown up on opposite sides of the wall that their fathers have built between their houses. Both sing well and maintain nice qualities of naivete and wonder.

William Engle and Dan Stroud are both as goofy as they should be as the fathers, though Engle has a sharper feel for the vaudeville tone of their arguments and their musical numbers.

Ian Downs, who also did the appropriate choreography, could have more of the aura of an old Shakespearean ham, but he manages frequently to be funny anyway. And he is a perfect Mutt-and-Jeff match for his cohort Mortimer (Dennis Montgomery), who certainly dies well and has been doing it for 40 years. They both revel in their endless shtick, and it works.

And Bob Goff’s musical direction is perky enough to make even the familiar “Try to Remember” sound new.

* “The Fantasticks,” La Habra Depot Theatre, 311 S. Euclid St., La Habra. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends July 2. $8-$10. (310) 905-9708 or (310) 905-9625. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes. David Frederick Fogg: El Gallo

Heather Dickenson: The Girl

Charlie Visnic: The Boy

William Engle: The Boy’s Father

Dan Stroud: The Girl’s Father

Ian Downs: The Actor

Dennis Montgomery: The Man Who Dies

Lara Kaplan: The Mute

A La Habra Depot Theatre production of the musical by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, directed by Larry Blake. Produced by Chris Montgomery. Musical direction: Bob Goff. Choreography: Ian Downs. Costumes: Lorilee Tagaloa. Lighting design: Dennis Montgomery, Larry Blake. Stage manager: Matt Smith.