The Fantasticks
The Fanstasticks is coming to the Historic Ritz Theatre in Talladega, Alabama, June 8th through the 11th only! This beloved fairytale is the longest running musical in Theatre history, and is an absolute wonder for all ages.
This special production will star former Gadsden State Music Instructor Christopher O'Rear as El Gallo. Christopher has given his voice to operatic characters such as the villainous Scarpia in Puccini's "Tosca", Tonio in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci, and Don Alfonso in Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte", among many other credits. dr. O'Rear holds degrees from Winthrop University, Sanford University and The University of Alabama. He has toured throughout the US and Europe as both an accomplished soloist and clinician, and was featured soloist at the Bassi Brugnatelli International Symposium for Conductors and Singers in Robbiate Italy. The production will also feature a CASTING FIRST for The Fantasticks! Playing the Boy will be Sawyer Shealy, and playing The Boy's Mother will be Judy Shealy. Yes-His real mother! Playing The Girl will be Alabama state acting winner Ramsey Whitney. Playing The Girl's Father will be Scott whitney. Yes-Her real father! All 4 are equally well-renowned locally for their amazing voices and acting. The rest of the ccast features the very best and most respected actors and musicians in the area, including funny men Gleen Davenport and Mike Crosby, Dancer Chloe Cater, Harpist Diedre Henson Aqustin and J. Michael Fauss, who brings to the stage his 40+ years of experience with the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, and three Broadway credits including "Peter Pan", "Quilters", and the ground breaking National AIDS Benefit Tour of "Heartstrings". His musical direction has won numerous awards both in Atlanta and New England, and has taken him to Europe on several occasions-including a german production of "Beauty and the Beast". Michael has also performed with the acclaimed Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
This special production will star former Gadsden State Music Instructor Christopher O'Rear as El Gallo. Christopher has given his voice to operatic characters such as the villainous Scarpia in Puccini's "Tosca", Tonio in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci, and Don Alfonso in Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte", among many other credits. dr. O'Rear holds degrees from Winthrop University, Sanford University and The University of Alabama. He has toured throughout the US and Europe as both an accomplished soloist and clinician, and was featured soloist at the Bassi Brugnatelli International Symposium for Conductors and Singers in Robbiate Italy. The production will also feature a CASTING FIRST for The Fantasticks! Playing the Boy will be Sawyer Shealy, and playing The Boy's Mother will be Judy Shealy. Yes-His real mother! Playing The Girl will be Alabama state acting winner Ramsey Whitney. Playing The Girl's Father will be Scott whitney. Yes-Her real father! All 4 are equally well-renowned locally for their amazing voices and acting. The rest of the ccast features the very best and most respected actors and musicians in the area, including funny men Gleen Davenport and Mike Crosby, Dancer Chloe Cater, Harpist Diedre Henson Aqustin and J. Michael Fauss, who brings to the stage his 40+ years of experience with the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, and three Broadway credits including "Peter Pan", "Quilters", and the ground breaking National AIDS Benefit Tour of "Heartstrings". His musical direction has won numerous awards both in Atlanta and New England, and has taken him to Europe on several occasions-including a german production of "Beauty and the Beast". Michael has also performed with the acclaimed Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.