Ashton Appadu ’26, Blake McGregor ’27, Emmalee Shirley ’27, and Brazil Taylor ’28 have each appeared in Arcadia Theater productions previously. From “Twelfth Night,” to “Urinetown,” to “She Kills Monsters,” these actors have had their fair share of time on the Arcadia stage. What is new for this group and their castmates in the upcoming production of “The Fantasticks,” however, is that it will take place in Arcadia’s Black Box Theater.

“While there have been student theses performed in the Black Box, ‘The Fantasticks’ is our first mainstage production,” explained McGregor, who is majoring in Acting with a concentration in Musical Theatre. “Figuring out how to cater to every seat in this three-way thrust [stage] design has been challenging, but still exciting.”

Formerly known as the Steele Building, the Black Box Theater underwent major renovations over the past few years. This included new seating, additional drapery to conceal backstage areas and equipment, and upgraded lighting and sound capabilities. These renovations will allow the Arcadia Theater program to hold mainstage productions there moving forward, the first being “The Fantasticks,” and the second coming this January.

“The University made a major investment in the space last year for renovations and upgrades to turn the space into a theater suitable for performances,” Dr. Jonathan Shandell, co-director of the Theater Arts program, said. “The next production there will be an original piece that students are currently creating collaboratively through our class this semester called ‘Devised Theater and Collaboration.’”

Philadelphia-based actor and director Jamison Foreman is the director of “The Fantasticks.” He has been part of shows at several major theaters in the area, including The Sedgwick Theater, Arden Theatre Company, and Walnut Street Theatre. The cast has found extreme value in working with him.

“Working with Jamison has been a pleasure,” Appadu, an Acting major, said. “He is bursting at the seams with ideas and can’t wait to share them with us. We are also working with an extremely talented cast who could not make this experience more exciting and fun to collaborate on.”

“It’s been an exciting process,” McGregor added. “Jamison’s experience in the theater world flows into every inch of this show, and it is exhilarating. I have loved working with directors and designers from around the area, and Jamison did not disappoint.”

“The Fantasticks,” which is the world’s longest-running musical, features the story of Matt and Luisa, two young lovers whose fathers trick them into falling in love by pretending to feud. As they experience the magic of romance, they are eventually led from the dreamy moonlight into the harsh realities of life, where their relationship is tested by heartbreak, betrayal, and self-discovery.

Shirley plays Luisa, a young woman with dreams of seeing the world and living a life full of adventure and romance. “The Fantasticks” is Shirley’s sixth Arcadia Theater production.

“My favorite part of the process has been learning the music and understanding why Luisa sings the words she does,” said Shirley, an Acting major with a concentration in Musical Theater. “I’ve also enjoyed realizing the significance of the lyrics in the songs that are more powerful sung instead of spoken.”

For Taylor, an Acting major with a concentration in Musical Theater, there’s a lot she hopes the audience will get out of the production.

“This show will undoubtedly cause our audiences to reflect on their own life and how change affects them,” she said. “Whether it’s transitioning from childhood to adolescence, or losing someone crucial in their lives. It’s a lovely story that audiences can connect with, laugh at, and even cry over. It conveys a message of remembering pivotal moments in our lives, whether good or bad, and recognizing how far we’ve come.

“This is a very big thing for our department, and I’m so happy to be a part of it. We really hope y’all enjoy the show,” she added.

Cast:
Luisa: Emmalee Shirley ’27
Matt: Raymond Hairston ’27
Bellomy: Blake McGregor ’27
Hucklebee: Kat Wetmore ’27
El Gallo (Female): Shaelyn Nuschke ’28
El Gallo (Male): Ashton Appadu ’26
Mute: MJ Kirsche ’27
Madame Henri: Brazil Taylor ’28
Mortimer: Elias Haslett ’28

Understudies:
Luisa: Alyssa Fusco ’28
Matt: Evan Wagg ’28
Bellomy: X Bradley ’27
Hucklebee: MJ Kirsche ’27
El Gallo (Female): Lainie Lombardo ’28
El Gallo (Male): Jaymes Lewis ’28
Mute: Mikayla Monclova ’28
Madame Henri: Rosemary McBratnie ’29
Mortimer: Derrick Williams ’29