THE PLAY

"The Fantasticks" is the longest-running musical in the world, and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. The result is a timeless fable of love.

As a carnival arrives to bring some excitement to the sleepy village, two fathers decide to instigate a mock feud amongst themselves in order to bring their children Luisa and Matt together in a romance. The fathers persuade a mysterious interloper, El Gallo, to stage an abduction of Luisa that will prompt Matt to come to her rescue…

"The Fantasticks" is an intimate show that engages the audience's imagination and showcases a strong ensemble cast. Its moving tale of young lovers who become disillusioned, only to discover a more mature, meaningful love is punctuated by a bountiful series of catchy, memorable songs, many of which have become standards.

"It is a delight - bewitching, bright and tasteful."

"A sophisticated story about innocence...the songs are distinguished and delightful."

A play with something for every member of the family!

THE CAST

DEAN SCOFIELD (El Gallo)
Dean, a native of Los Angeles, USC Theatre Alumn and Acting Coach, has just returned from Edinburgh, Scotland where he starred in the U. K. premiere of last year's New York hit: "JOHNNY GUITAR - THE MUSICAL". Dean has also starred in the world premiere and award winning productions of LUMINARIAS, CHEATIN', JELLYROLL SHOES and THE BLACK DUCK. His many other Theatre credits include the musicals: GREASE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, FOLLIES, and GODSPELL. Last year, Dean produced and starred in the play GREETINGS and produced AN INSPECTOR CALLS for the Advent Theatre. Dean is very pleased to be with the Advent Theatre again, particularly to perform this show.

'When I was younger, it was as "Matt", I took the stage.
But now older and wiser, it's "El Gallo" that comes with age.
How wonderful to come full circle.'

BRIANNA LEE JOHNSON (Luisa)
Brianna is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University where she studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory. She's enjoyed appearing in principle roles in THE THREE SISTERS, THE TROJAN WOMEN, LA RONDE, ANNIE, OLIVER, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and others. She also filmed her first television pilot VELOCITY last fall.

She grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, lived in New York City and now resides in Los Angeles. Her hobbies include singing, playing the flute and horseback riding. She is extremely pleased to be a member of FCCNH and to be able to perform in this production, her 2nd on the Advent Theatre stage, following her dubut in last spring's AN INSPECTOR CALLS.

WILLIE CALDWELL (Matt/Muscial Director)
Willie is very excited to be returning to the Advent stage in the revival of THE FANTASTICKS. A small town boy raised in southern Virginia, Willie moved to New York City before his eighteenth birthday. After graduating from the American Music and Dramatic Academy, decided to move to L.A. and persue acting in film and a career in music. Currently he is attending Los Angeles Valley College as a commercial music major. He would like to thank friends and family for all their love and support.

MICHAEL "TUBA" HEATHERTON (Hucklebee)
Michael “Tuba” Heatherton, a Rhode Islander, began his career as a 5-year-old singer and magician. As a teenager he took up the tuba and began acting in plays and musicals. For 8 years he toured the United States and Japan with “RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS as a clown, teacher, and singing ringmaster. “Tuba” has performed in Hong Kong, Korea, The Philippines, The Caribbean, and at Disneyland. He’s appeared in films, commercials, daytime dramas, sitcoms, and in comedy spots on JIMMY KIMMELL LIVE! and THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO. When scheduling permits he continues to study performing arts in London, Paris, Stockholm, Ireland, and the Nevada Desert. Look for “Tuba” in EVEN STEVENS reruns and in future Advent Theatre productions. "See Veda, I really WAS at rehearsals!"

MICHAEL IMMEL (Bellomy)
Biiten by the show business bug nearly forty years ago, Michael is now in remission. Graduate (cum Laude) of ChapmanColelge (now University) he has performed in venues on three continents, knocking 'em dead from Tokyo to Berlin, the real Axis. Last seen on the big screen with Adam Sandler in PUNCH DRUNK LOVE, Michael is a veteran of film, radio and, television. Chicago viewers may remember him as Spiffy, Bozo the Clown's second banana on WGN-TV. For his contributions to that show, Michael is in possession of two Emmys (and since possession is nine points of the law, they ain't getting 'em back!). A private pilot, Michael is currently seeking to upgrade his ratings and acquire his own airplane. Anybody got a Grumman AA-5 for sale?

R.M. JOHNSON (Henry)
Richard has appeared in many plays throughout California. Some of his favorite roles he has performed are: Aloysius in SISTER MARY IGNATIIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU; Charlie in CHARLIE'S AUNT; Kinesias in LYSISTRADA; Harry Houdini in ADVENTURES OF THE CLOUDED CRYSTAL; Will Parker in OKLAHOMA; Arnall in LINE; Bernardine in MEASURE FOR MEASURE and John/Judas in GODSPELL. He is a produced and published writer, a trained mime and juggler, and wishes to thank God for all the gifts he has bestowed upon him.

TODD BURGESS (Mortimer)
"THE FANTASTICKS" is Todd's second production with the Advent Theatre. His debut was SHADOWLANDS. "Playing the role of Mortimer has been such a fun experience. It has been such a pleasure to be able to work with such a wonderful and talented cast, crew and director."

PHIL RESTIVO (The Mute)
This is Phil's 3rd effort on the Advent Theater stage, and one of peculiar note: He played the title role in AN INSPECTOR CALLS, and C. S. Lewis in SHADOWLANDS. Both roles requiring lots o' lines to memorize and being on stage throughout the entire play if not, major chunks of it. Always looking for a new adventure, he's decided that he'd like to know what it's like being a prop, or scenery - a role that requires him to be on stage the entire time with - no lines. Mmmm, very interesting. He is having the time of his life working again with Glenda, and members of the cast he has worked with in both of the aforementioned productions as well as the members he is working with for the 1st time. Many thanks Bob and Louise and the entire family here at FCCNH.

MIKE MARTINEAU (Hucklebee)
Mike is delighted to be appearing with the Advent Theater again, having played Max in LEND ME A TENOR. He has also appeared in THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT and sings baritone with the FCCNH Chancel Choir. Mike and his wife Karen have been members of FCCNH since 2000. He is a writer for such television shows as THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, MAD ABOUT YOUR, THE JOB and RESCUE ME, but considers his greatest role to be father of Talia, 8 and Ava, 2.

GLENDA MORGAN BROWN (Director/Artistic Director)
Glenda has been directing theatre for more than a quarter of a century (she started as a toddler). While living in the Akron, Ohio, area, she shared season directing duties with her husband, David Colwell, at the Coach House Theatre. Some of her favorite projects include THE CONSTANT WIFE, DIAL 'M' FOR MURDER, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, and of course, the Advent Theatre's GREATER TUNA, LEND ME A TENOR, SHADOWLANDS, GREETINGS and AN INSPECTOR CALLS. In addition to directing, Glenda enjoys acting: you may have seen her on PASSIONS, STRONG MEDICINE, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and ACCORDING TO JIM.

Glenda would like to thank everyone involved in making THE FANTASTICKS come together, and you, the audience, for your support.

DAVID COLWELL (Producer)
David has produced nearly 100 productions, from 1986 to the present, in locations as diverse as Phoenix, AZ, upstate New York northeastern Ohio and Hollywood, CA, for a variety of organizations including Bristol Valley Playhouse, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Porthouse Theatre Company, Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance, and Coach House Theatre. His primary avocation is stage directing; since returning to Los Angeles in 1999, David has directed eighteen shows including ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (Stella Adler Theatre, Hollywood), the critically acclaimed DINNER WITH FRIENDS (NoHo Actors Studio, North Hollywood), and a recent "sold-out" production of OVER THE TAVERN (Long Beach Playhouse). David is married to Glenda Morgan Brown, artistic director for the Advent Theatre.

DIANA MacNEIL (Choreographer)
Diana is artistic director of the PostHouse Dance Group and her choreography has been commissioned by the Yorke Dance Project, Loyola Marymount University and Occidental College as well as by jazz artist Ronnie Laws. In 1986, she was invited to join the Idyllwild Arts Academy as part of the founding team of faculty members, heading the dance program and dance for the theater program. Ms. MacNeil has been on the faculty of Loyola Marymount University, Occidental College and the Westland School. Currently, she teaches at the Idyllwild Arts Academy and the PostHouse, a local center for Modern Dance.

Her performing career has included a long tenure with the Lewitzky Dance Company as a soloist, master teacher, choreographic reconstructor and costumier. She has most recently been performing with her own company as well as the Francisco Martinez Dancetheatre and American Repertory Dance Company. Recently she received the “Nice Modernist” award from Dwell magazine for her work in the LosAngeles dance community, a nomination for excellence in choreography from the Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles and was honored with the 1999 Lester Horton award for individual performance.

PRODUCTION STAFF