For Mt. Hebron students, the end of September marked a fantastick start to the new school year, with the drama department’s production of The Fantasticks.

“This show is quirky, yet charming,” said math teacher Mr. Tom Sankey, the director for musicals and plays at Mt. Hebron. “It’s really delightful. You really can’t compare it to other shows because it’s so different.”

The show had a minimal set and small cast with iconic songs and characters. Since the play ignores the first wall, it used a simple set and props to paint a shining world filled with love and despair.

“It has a simplicity that makes it magical,” said theatre teacher Mr. Steven Barker, the producer of the show.

Senior Jake Scarbath and sophomore Leah Reineck starred as Matt and Luisa, the two lovers. Hucklebee and Bellomy, the lovers’ fathers, were played by sophomore Kaegan Stottlemeyer and junior Kevin Aguilera, respectively.

“There’s a loss of innocence, a lot of family connections and feuds, and magic,” said Reineck.

“Pure love is what the show’s really about,” added Stottlemyer.

Reineck excellently portrayed a young girl foolishly in love through the ditzy delivery of her lines and carefree movements. Scarbath was a believable young man swayed by the influence of love. With a powerful voice, his songs were genuine and proud.

Junior Joe Nolan played the scoundrel, El Gallo, and sophomore Ian Luk played the Mute. The Mute was the “backstage” for the show, pulling props from an onstage prop box and breaking the fourth wall at any given moment. Junior Ryan McClure and senior Max Nzone played the quirky pair of actors, Mortimer and Henry, respectively.

As the scoundrel, Nolan expertly blended villainy with style, capturing the picture of a smooth criminal. Aguilera and Stottlemeyer depicted a ying-yang duo, dancing in sync, complementing one another with their respective songs and artfully contrasting personalities.

Through his expressions and movements, Luk illustrated the most masterful of paintings. Nzone and McClure played off of one another as the comics of the show, encouraging a laugh from anyone.

In addition to Mr. Barker’s guidance, this show was also led by new student director, senior Jennie Hardman. Before The Fantasticks, Hardman either worked backstage on tech or performed as an actress.

“Being a director is so different from anything I’ve ever done before,” said Hardman.

Students participating in the play were excited to work with a student director. Cast members agree that it was nice to collaborate with their peers. They believed it was more casual, and they were given more creative freedom.

“It is much easier to talk to a student director than it is to an adult director,” said junior Andrea Sicoli, the show’s backstage tech director.

“There is a lot more connection and communication between the cast and the directors,” said sophomore Samantha Yakaitis, the assistant student director of the show.