Monroe Youth Challenge. Be the Change! Monroe Youth Challenge
Home
About Us
Press Releases
Stories of Change
Programs
Register for Challenge Day
Register for Next Step
Service Learning Projects
Partners
Schools
Calendar
Student Resources
Contact Us

Press Releases:

"The Fantasticks" Raises Roof

MARATHON, Fla. – A few fantastic students from Marathon High School plan to help raise funds for a new roof on the Marathon Community Theater by presenting the off Broadway hit The Fantasticks this week. Sponsored by the Monroe Youth Challenge Program (MYCP) the students chose to do this show as a community service project for school and designate the funds raised to be used to repair the theater roof which was damaged during Hurricane Wilma last year.

 

  
Monroe County School District Safe School Coordinator Sunny Booker, who spearheads MYCP, said, “Kudos really go to students Katie Greenman and Reggie Paros, and SAC President Jackie Eigner for being instrumental in making sure the students at MHS could perform a play this year.

The MHS School Advisory Council gave the kids a donation to pay for half the royalties. The students were so grateful that the Marathon Community Theatre allowed them to stage the show there at the last minute , they wanted to give back..” The Fantasticks opens Thursday, June 1 at the Marathon Community Theater with two shows following Friday and Saturday June 2 and 3 all of the performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $7.50 for students. “They sell out fast so it’s best to reserve them at the box office,” advises Booker. Call (305) 743-0994 for ticket reservations.

There are a few especially exciting aspects about this production, including the return of live music to the Monroe Community Theater after a long hiatus thanks to a loaner piano from Linda Lee Byars Music Store in Marathon. The real surprise is who is scheduled to play the piano Eileen Downey, a professional that played piano for the Broadway tour of Annie. She comes as a special guest with Wendy van Gent, who is flying in from Michigan to be the music director for this show as a favor to Booker because of a friendship they developed when van Gent was her boss in Virginia. “She has directed ‘Fantasticks’ several times so this will be nothing but the best for my kids in Marathon – go Dolphins!” Booker exclaimed.

“The Fantasticks” is America’s longest running Off-Broadway musical. It’s touted as a delightful, romantic comedy, which has thrilled millions throughout the world. “It’s a heartfelt, sort of abstract, boy meets girl that everybody can find themselves in,” said Booker. Also interesting is that all of the actors stay on stage the whole time, although it is a short program according to officials. The lead female “Louisa” is played by Mariah Cheatham. Opposite her is “Matt” played by Reggie Paros. The show is carried by Devin Clarke, a 2005 MHS graduate studying at FKCC, as the lead male. The two mothers are Shannon Allison and Katie Greenman. The mute, is played by Ricardo Dominguez and, for comic relief, Christina Suddarth plays “Henry” and Hunter Nickless as “Mortimer”.

Booker added, “They all sing like angels. I hope the community will come out and support these hard working students who want to make a difference in their community.”

Monroe Youth Challenge Program is a project of the Monroe County Education Foundation to foster acceptance, respect, and success in the youth of Monroe County. For more information about this project, Challenge Day, Next Step, or any other MYCP sponsored program call Monroe County School District Safe School Coordinator Sunny Booker at (305) 293-1400 ext. 319. or go to www.keysschools.com.

Contact MYCP