Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 476

Chicago Tribune, Sunday, May 1, 1994 Section 13 Page 25 Arts rail had a longer theatrical run. "The Fantasticks" also reigns as the most frequently produced musical in the world, according to its program notes, with more than 12,000 productions in the U.S. and more than 900 productions in 69 foreign countries-including one by the Beijing Opera in Mandarin. Tony Noto says that in the last few years the show has been playing to about half-full houses in the 150-seat theater although a recent Saturday matinee was about three-quarters fulL and Noto reports business has been picking up. Tickets today cost $32, compared with a range of $2.80 to $4.20 when the show opened.

After weathering some initially disappointing reviews, the play has been in serious danger of closing only once, in 1986, when Lore Noto's cancer returned and he decided the time had come to end the show in a blaze of glory. He placed a would be in our show one day." In addition to Roland, other offspring associated with "The Fantasticks" include house manager Christopher Orbach, son of Jerry Orbach, the original narrator (also known as El Gallo), and production consultant Tony Noto, son of Lore Noto, the original producer (who also played the boy's father for 17 years). There's been plenty of time for the next generation to come along. Dwight Eisenhower was president when "The Fantasticks" opened on May 3, 1960. "Ben Hur" was big at the movies.

"Life of Riley" and "Queen for a Day" were television hits. And in London, Princess Margaret was preparing to marry. Last month "The Fantasticks" passed its performanceall at the basement Sullivan Street Playhouse. Only Agatha Christie's non-musical, "The Mousetrap," which opened in London on Nov. 25, 1952, has modest ad in the New York Times, saying it would close in two months.

The reaction, he says, was "astounding. People refused to allow it to happen." Actors who had been associated with the show, and others who hadn't, signed petitions. Letters poured in from all over. One investor threatened to sue. Noto, who is now retired, wound up turning production duties over to a close friend, Don Thompson, and the show went on.

"The Fantasticks" is the kind of show that brings viewers back, sometimes decades later. Said New Yorker Gaynor Wangro, who with his wife, Lore, recently saw it again after 30 years, "I'd forgotten how charming it is." Or as Jones puts it, "Disney can have all the pyrotechnics they want. But a few colored squares can be magic, too." "An Unforgettable Celebration of the Human Spirit, It is Comical, Heartbreaking and Inspiring. Meg Ryan is Amazing." -BUI DieM, ABC RADIO NETWORK "Powerful, Poignant, Exceptional Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia Give the Performances of Their Careersr -Jeffrey Ljoai, SNEAK PREVIEWS LYONS DEN RADIO "Meg Ryan Gives an Astonishing Performance; -Rod Lurie, LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE "Don't Miss Itf -Joy Browne, W0R RADIO NETWORK 4, iri 'N- 'MW 'niM 'lUM" Whmm STARTS FRIDAY WATER TOWER OLD ORCHARD Nev Norm 312 649-5790 Skotat 708 674 5300 DISCOVER THEd 3 MIDWEST'S BEST TRAVEP SPOTS KICK BACKj i I jtil af-pm-- 4 Each week, this feature highlights the week's biggest and best special events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, STARTS FRIDAY OESQUIRE ORICE LAKE SQ. MllW 706 65W567 IWr No 312280-0101 OHAWTHORN fnonHs 708 367-6250 OHILLSIDE SQ.

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