Bay Weekly

Backstage Romance

By Diana Beechener

 

The curtain goes up on a real life love story in Infinity Theatre Company’s production of The Fantasticks. The play, which tells the tale of two lovers overcoming familial obstacles, opens at the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis this Friday. The production is the first for fledgling Infinity Theatre Company, whose founders Anna and Alan Ostroff found love and creative fulfillment on stage.

“We both have been in love with the show since we can remember,” explains Alan.

The production also honors the 50th anniversary of The Fantasticks, which began as an off-Broadway production in 1960. Starting as a production in a black-box theater, The Fantasticks grew into a Broadway hit and earned the title of longest-running musical in the world.

The play also commemorates the first production of the Ostroffs’ new venture, Infinity Theatre Company.

“Alan and I have worked professionally all throughout the country,” says co-founder Anna Ostroff. “But it was pretty rare that we would get cast opposite each other.”

In their own company, the Ostroffs finally get to play a romantic duo. As lovers Matt and Luisa, Alan and Anna draw on both their skills and their real relationship.

“Acting is not so much lying as exaggerating certain parts of yourself,” says Alan. “It’s kind of a situation where a real aspect of our marriage is getting on a stage and expressing how we feel about each other.”

The show, already a hit in its run in Delaware, is the test for the Ostroffs’ theatrical company.

“Our dream is to have a professional regional theater somewhere outside of New York City,” says Anna. “With this production we’re doing some market testing.”

The Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, the site of Infinity’s Maryland debut, has personal ties for the couple.

“I grew up in the Annapolis area,” says Anna, who worked with the Children’s Theatre as a young thespian. “The Children’s Theatre built a new theater in the last couple of years. It’s really the perfect spot. It’s new and has everything we needed.”

With a real life love story behind their musical one, the Ostroffs are set for their Fantastick run.

Playing 8pm July 29, 30 and Aug. 4, 5 and 6; 2pm and 8pm July 31 and Aug. 7; 2pm Aug. 1 at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, 1661 Bay Head Rd., Annapolis. $35 w/discounts: 410-757-2281; www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.