The Green Earth Players fall production is a Broadway classic musical, according to director Lary B. Etten, Sioux Falls.
“‘The Fantasticks’ is the longest-running show in New York and Broadway history,” said Etten, founder and former artistic director of the Sioux Empire Community Theater.
“It originally opened in 1960 and continued through 2002, but after four years off, popular demand brought it back and it’s still running there today.”
Etten and the Green Earth Players will bring that classic romantic comedy to the Palace Theatre stage for the next two weekends, Nov. 11-13 and Nov. 18-20. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays.
Etten said the quality of the material combined with what he knew about live theater in Luverne prompted him to apply for the director’s role this fall.
“Luverne is a relatively small town, but the joy and professionalism with which they approach doing live theater is remarkable,” he said.
“Tapping into that is something I’ve looked forward to … That’s why I was very excited to be offered the opportunity to work with them.”
“The Fantasticks” music was written by Harvey Schmidt with lyrics by Tom Jones and includes the songs, “Try To Remember” and “Soon It's Gonna Rain.”
The story is loosely based on the play, “The Romancers” (Les Romanesques), by Edmond Rostand, about two neighboring fathers who trick their children, Luisa and Matt, into falling in love by pretending to feud.
Green Earth Players actors Shawn Kinsinger and Jim Harsma play the roles of the fathers, and Erik Friestad and Gabrielle Ferrell appear as Matt and Louisa. Nathan Sparks is the ringleader of the play as El Gallo.
Rounding out the cast are J. (Murph) Murphy as Henry, Greg Olsen as Mortimer and Nancy Henrichsen as The Mute.
Green Earth Players board member Hayley Koeritz is assisting Etten with the production.
Jane Ruud, Sioux Falls, accompanies on the piano.