Viva Lorenzo

For those who just couldn't get enough of Lorenzo Lamas in Falcon Crest, where he played playboy grandson Lance Cumson from 1981 to 1990, or his occasional guest appearances on The Love Boat (also in his 1980s heyday), Fort Worth's Casa Mañana Theatre has a treat for you. Lamas will be starring as El Gallo, the narrator/bandit, in Casa's upcoming production of The Fantasticks, which has the distinction of being the longest running musical in history. (Bet you thought it was Cats.) The length of its original Off-Broadway run (42 years, 17, 162 performances) is nearly overshadowed by the frequency with which the show has been produced in this country (more than 2,000 separate American productions). That's what sparse sets, a small cast and time-tested score (Lamas will sing "Try to Remember") will do for you. The book has two matchmaking dads feigning a feud and building a wall between households to subliminally encourage their children to fall in love, since as everyone knows, kids will do the opposite of what their parents tell them. (Certainly, mine do.) Tom Jones wrote the lyrics for the original production and will direct Casa's production. The Fantasticks Tuesday through June 8. For additional information and tickets, call 817-332-2272 or visit casamanana.org.
June 3-5, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., June 6, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 7, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., June 8, 2 & 7 p.m., 2008