Times-Press-Recorder from Arroyo Grande, California • 15

umi July 21, 1989 Five Cities Times-Press-Recorder, Arroyo Grande, Calif. Page 15 Worlds longest-running musical returning to PCPA Theaterfest i "Like our first productions, The Fantastics opened in a small performance space, he said. When the musical by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt opened May 3, 1960, in the 135-seat Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York, there was doubt whether it would last out the week. But word spread and the show not only became a sellout, it became a phenomenon: It recouped its capitalization in less than a year, and by 1962, productions were being performed worldwide. By the time the musical celebrated its 25th anniversary, there had been nearly 500 productions in more than 60 countries.

Popular songs from the musical include Try to Remember, Soon Its Gonna Rain and They Were You. The Fantastics is part of PCPA Theaterfests six-play summer season, and with Evita, The Nerd, Fiddler on the Roof and A Man For All Seasons will play in rotating repertory at the Festival Theater in Solvang and in the Marian Theater in Santa Maria. "Quilters plays in Solvang only. Evening performances begin at 8:30 p.m. Summer season matinees are scheduled at 2 p.m.

on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday in Santa Maria only. Season subscription plans, which range from $37.50 to $72, are now on sale. Two new subscription options this summer are the Theaterfest Pass, a set of vouchers for each show which may be redeemed at any time during the season in either theater for the best seats available at that time, and the Weekender Plan, which enables theater patrons to see five plays in three days at both theaters. Single tickets range from $7 to $15.50. Special discounts and benefits are available to groups of 15 or more by calling (800) PCPA-123.

Tickets for all PCPA Theaterfest productions can be purchased at both box offices, located in the Marian Theater, 800 S. College Drive in Santa Maria, and at the Festival Theater, 420 Second St. in Solvang. For further information and tickets people may call 922-8313 or (800) 221-9469. SANTA MARIA The Fantasticks, the worlds longest-running musical and the first musical performed at PCPA Theaterfest in its 25-year history, began a summer-long run under the stars at the Festival Theatre in Solvang on July 20 and will start Thursday, Aug.

10, in the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College. PCPA Theaterfests Outreach Director Roger DcLaurier will direct the whimsical and poignant musical story of young love, age and human nature, which will run in rotating repertory with five other PCPA Theaterfest productions through Sept. 23. The Fantasticks is a wonderful way to smile at what we once were, what we are, and perhaps what we always will be, said Managing Artistic Director Jack Shouse, who designed the set for the production. It was the first musical ever performed at PCPA, back in 1965 in the original Interim Theatre.

We did a second production in 1971 in the Marian Theatre, he added. The Fantastics" marks the second summer directing assignment for DeLaurier, who also staged Quilters. The complete title of this musical is The Fantastics: A Parable About Love, DeLaurier noted. The idea of parable a story pointing to a lesson or moral is the heart of the piece. The lessons learned are about love between a boy and a girl and between parents and their children as they journey from romanticism and illusion to maturity and perspective, he continued.

"What better device to explore this journey than the theater itself and its multi-layered and often deceptive illusions? DeLaurier asked. The creative team for The Fantastics has gathered bits and pieces of PCPAs 25-year history for the set pieces, props and costumes. We hope to have created a magical world unique to PCPA, yet one that represents theater everywhere a world in which reality is confronted and lessons learned, DeLaurier said. Audiences will discover props and furniture from such productions as Carnival, Kiss Me, Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, and others. They will make other discoveries as well, Shouse noted.

Productions at PCPA Theaterfest are always an opportunity for our audiences to enjoy exciting young talents working with professionals as peers, he said. Thats an important tradition here. The goal of our coaservatorys training program at Hancock College is to provide our students with skills and experiences which form the foundation for successful theatrical careers. Our alumni have demonstrated time and again that our program works. Shouse noted.

Among the cast of our 197 1 production pf The Fantasticks were our students Jeff McCarthy, who recently played Javert in the Los Angeles production of Les Miserables, and Boyd Gaines, who just received a Tony Award. The 1989 production features several performers well-known to PCPA Theaterfest audiences, including artist-in-residence Jonathan Gillard Daly, who has headed the cast of such productions as A Christmas Carol and The Foreigner and who directed the Interim Theatre series production of Betrayal this winter. Cast as the young lovers are Matt Hindmarch and Pippa Winslow. Hindmarch recently played another young lover during the PCPA Theaterfest winter season in Romeo and Juliet. Audiences may also remember the pair from their performances last summer: Hindmarch played Tobias and Winslow was Johanna in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Also featured are Steve Irish, who played Marleys Ghost and the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol in addition to the husband in Betrayal, and summer company members Charlie Bachmann, John Oswald, Beau Bishop, Polly Firestone and Kevin Jones. PCPAs choice of The Fantasticks for its first venture into the world of musical theater in 1965 was fitting for a group of players who would start modestly and then grow tremendously, Shouse noted. RETURNING Matt Hindmarch, left, Jonathan Gillard Daly, standing, and Pippa Winslow take a whimsical and poignant look at love and human nature in the PCPA Theaterfest production of The Fantasticks, which was the first musical presented by PCPA in 1965. Photo by Tom Smithlmages i I i I I I SI i 4 1 1 5 4 vl A I I I 1 1 1 I For romantic adult comedy in 1 989, know when to say When Dead Poets Society and seek another alternative to the insubstantial summer sequels. Rated PG for adult situations, When Harry Met Sally opens this weekend at the Festival Cinemas in Arroyo Grande and the Mission Cinemas in San Luis Obispo.

Sally should keep her from doing any more claptrap like her last film, The Presidio. When Harry Met Sally contains two memorable scenes. One is a humorous and unique four-way telephone conversation in which two of the parties have separate lines in the same bedroom. The other scene occurs in a crowded bistro, where Harry assures Sally that a woman cant fake an orgasm. Sally proves him wrong most emphatically.

Ryan doesnt even get the best laughs in that scene. The cinematic punchline of the year is delivered by Reiners mother, Estelle, in a bit part. When Harry Met Sally is an oasis for those whove already seen of Vintage Theatre no plays. York; she has no interest in seeing anyone. When Sally tries to match Harry with her best friend, a window dresser (Carrie Fisher), and Harry tries to match Sally off with his best friend, a magazine writer (Bruno Kirby), the best friends hit it off instead.

Then Harry and Sallys relationship takes a different turn. Nora Ephrons intelligent script allows only for the slightest of improbabilities. For example, the main characters are both just exiting long-term relationships. Harry sounds a little too much like a stan-dup comic, but this may be because Crystal, who is one, wrote some of his own dialogue. Ryans sterling performance as Twenty five Years Life shouldn't be all By Vicki Kite Staff Writer ARROYO GRANDE Do not see Rob Reiners latest film alone.

When Harry Met Sally must be seen with a loved one. Director Reiner, whose string of pleasant comedies includes This is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride and Stand by Me, delivers a full-fledged summer valentine, a celebration of adult relationships that dont start or end in the sack. His new film can be divided into three pans: When Harry meets Sally in 1977, 1982 and 1987; whether Harry and Sally will make love; and whether Harry and Sally will get Burton Gilliam fitting jeans at PISMO BEACH Burton Gilliam, veteran of 100 television appearances and film performances in Blazing Saddles, Paper Moon, Night School, and Fletch, among others, will be the featured guest at Rancho El Pismo Western Days. The event is scheduled for Sept. 15 through 17 and is sponsored by the Pismo Beach Business Improvement Group.

Gilliam will participate in the western fashion show planned as one of the free Saturday afternoon activities scheduled by BIG during the Western Days weekend. The Central Coast Modeling and Talent Agency will coordinate the fashion show, using merchandise from local retail shops, said a BIG spokesman. Gilliam and his wife are expected to help judge the best-fitting jeans segment of the show, which is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, Sept. 15. A regular visitor to the Central Coast, Gilliam just last March was the host for the fifth annual Burton Gilliam Celebrity Golf Classic at BlackLake Golf Course, an event benefitting the South County YMCA building fund.

Poetry reading set MORRO BAY An open poetry reading is scheduled for Sunday, i July 23, at 7 p.m. in the Coalesce 1 Bookstore Chapel at 845 Main St. All poets arc invited to share their original work, said a bookstore spokesman. A $1 donation at the door is suggested. Further information may be obtained by calling 528-0359, 772-3138, or the bookstore at 772-2880.

MOVIES of Chicago. Harry wears sideburns, spits grape seeds out the car window and dates her best friend. Sally uses aerosol hairspray on her Farrah Fawcett-feathered hairdo and drives him to New York as a favor for the friend. They part when they reach the Big Apple, partly because they drive each other crazy her meal orders are very particular, his statements are overblown generalities and partly because she indignantly interprets his compliment of her looks as a pass. Harry next meets Sally at an airport five years later.

This encounter is brief: Hes engaged; shes in love. Theyve no time to reminisce about a car trip. In 1987, Harry runs into Sally in a bookstore section devoted to literature for women who cant live without men. Hes divorced; shes broken up with the boyfriend from 82. This time Harry and Sally spend a lot of time together, although their habits havent changed.

He dates half the girls in New Watercolor society slates workshop SAN LUIS OBISPO The Central Coast Watercolor Society will sponsor a watercolor workshop with Charlotte Britton on July 26-28 at the San Luis Obispo Art Center. Britton has conducted workshops throughout the Untied States as well as Europe and is an excellent teacher, said a watercolor society spokesman. The cost of the three-day workshop is $85. For further information, people may contact Nila Collini at 772-5570. Perfect Gift Gift Certificated On Sale Now At All Theefree Dead Poeta Society (PG) 1 00 4 10 700 9 40 Peter Pan (G) 11 30 1 20 3 10 5 00 7 00 I Ghostbusters II (PG) 8 30 10 30 Licence to Kill (PG-13) 11 15 1 50 4 25 700 9 45 Weekend afBemlea (PG-13) 12 40 2 50' 5 00 7 40 9 50 12 20 2 30 4 401 750 955 UHF (PG-13) MOVIE GUIDE FESTIVAL CINEMAS 481-7553 Arroyo Grande on Hwy 101 between Oak Park Brisco Rd.

Exits Dead Poets Society Peter Pan Ghostbusters II Honey I Shrunk the Kids UHF Batman Weekend At Bernies Do the Right Thing When Harry Met Sally Lethal Weapon II Licence to Kdl FAIR OAKS THEATRE 489-2364 Arroyo Grande, 1007 Grand Ave. Star Trek The Final Frontier MADONNA PLAZA THEATRE 544-3488 San Luis Obispo Hwy 101 and Madonna Road Lethal Weapon II Honey I Shrunk the Kids Batman MANN-FREMONT THEATRE 543-1121, San Luis Obispo 1035 Monterey Indiana Jones The Last Crusade MISSION CINEMAS 541-2141 San Luis Obispo, 1025 Monterey Licence to Kill Dead Poets Society When Harry Met Sally SUNSET DRIVE-IN 544-4475 255 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo (56 a car, max. people 6) Peter Pan Who Framed Roger Rabbit? UA MOVIE 3 922-0361 Santa Maria Town Center Mall Lethal Weapon II Batman Weekend at Bernies HI-WAY DRIVE-IN 937-3515 3085 Santa Maria Way, Santa Marla Peter Pan Who Framed Roger Rabbit? PARK-AIRE DRIVE-IN 925-7991 295 E. Donovan, Santa Maria Indiana Jones The Last Crusade Ghostbusters II back together afterward. Every so often, the story is interrupted to hear elderly couples relate their first meeting, documentary-style, to someone off-camera.

These brief interruptions are nice character studies, as is the film itself. Harry (Billy Crystal) first meets Sally (Meg Ryan) at the University to judge best Western Days Burton Gilliam Gilliam is an avid golfer and enjoys many other sports as well, such as boxing, the spokesman said. While still a fireman in Dallas, Texas, before becoming an actor, Gilliam won more Golden Glove championships than anyone in history. Today, he serves as a professional boxing referee from time to time, in addition to pursuing his acting career. He also travels the country lending his name as a celebrity participant in sports activities for charitable causes.

nnr vr JU.U 1 Batman (PG-13) 11 45 2 15 4 55 7 35 10 15 Lethal Weapon II (R) 11 50 2 10 4 35 7 25 10 05, Honey I Shrunk (PG) I The Kldi 12 30 2 40 4 45 7 20 9 30 I When Harry Met Sally (R) 12 35 2 45 5 00 7 45 9 50 rDo The Right Thing (R) 11 40 2 05 4 30 7 00 9 25, i ji i i i i JUNE 15 -SEPT. 23 FESTIVAL THEATRE, SOLVANG MARIAN THEATRE, SANTA MARIA 1-800-221-9469 922-8313 Groups I-800-PCPA-12J sr i 1.