Pierce theater production brings more than a typical relationship

Cucuzza said.

said, laughing.

Showtimes

Friday, Oct. 25 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct 26 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 27 2 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 1 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 2 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 3 2 p.m.

Pierce College’s theater department starts the 2013 - 2014 season with “The Fantasticks,” a production with magic tricks and enticing visual and sound effects, which premieres this Friday at 8 p.m.

The production features a love story between a seemingly starcrossed couple, Matt and Luisa, according to Michael Sande, managing director.

“The musical is magical, poetic, and sometimes even haunting,” Sande said. “It’s a classic. The most produced and longest-running show of any kind in the history of the world.”

The storyline resembles that of Romeo and Juliet mixed with boy-meets-girl, where Matt and Luisa fall in love. As the musical progresses, they realize that they were set up and manipulated by their fathers, Director Robert

Matt and Luisa reject their love and split apart to experience the world. Only after they mature through their own adventures do they come together again with a deeper love for each other, according to a press release written by Sande.

“The story is darker and weirder than I expected,” Cucuzza said. “It’s not sentimental hogwash, but it’s still a very charming love story.”

“The Fantasticks” ran offBroadway for 46 years, from 1960 to 2002, and then re-opened in 2006 and continues to run to this day, according to the press release. In 1991, it was awarded the Tony Honors for Excellence in theatre.

“In this era, the young crowd may not have heard of this show before,” Sande said. “But it speaks to generations, no matter the time period.”

The show has a lot to offer, from a professional magician taking part in the show, to video and sound that will tempt the senses, Sande said.

“It’s visually entertaining,” Sande said. “There’ll be lots of surprises. It’ll be the best show (the students) have ever seen,” Sande

There’s everything an audience could expect, like big song numbers and love, but there’s also an “underlying tone of being yourself,” according to Samantha Labrecque, who plays Luisa.

“The cast and director are phenomenal,” Labrecque said.

“Bob has taught me more in this show than in high school. I’m so lucky to be able to work with him.”

Furthering the magic, the Pierce’s musical production is dedicated to a longtime friend and former director of Pierce College, who turns 100 years old this November, Sande said.

In 1969, Ellen Dow, a former student and director for Pierce, directed “The Fantasticks” when it was still a fairly new musical, Sande said. It only seems right that a slice of this production is shared with Dow for her birthday.

“The Fanstasticks” will run from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3 in the Temporary Performing Arts Complex. Tickets can be purchased for $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors by calling (818) 719-6488 or online at http://info.piercecollege. edu/theater/.