Alex Shafer

It’s a toss–up. If you can be bothered to go out for the evening and see the play, write to me and tell me your opinion. Here’s mine: Jacqueline Andersen, Coley Grundman, Alex Shafer, and Peter Budinger are tied for my Actor Most Enjoying Him/HerSelf Award, all for different reasons.

The problem with most masquerade parties is that few guests take them seriously enough. There is no such problem here. If ever you liked to play dress-up, here is a brilliant vicarious opportunity. Costume Designer Carol Woods provides so many delights that if ever you toyed with an interest in performing with the Masquers, this performance will convince you to sign up for an audition!

Diary of a Scoundrel, directed by Carlene Collier Coury and Marilyn Kamelgarn, is a comedy set in Russia in 1867, six years after the freeing of the Russian serfs, an issue bitterly resented by some characters in the play, though not by all.

The Fantasticks opened off-Broadway in 1960 and closed in early 2002 after a record-breaking 17,162 performances. It was the longest-running show of any kind in the United States, and the longest-running musical in the world. This production at the Masquers runs June 9 through July 22 on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 8 pm. Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm on June 25 and July 2, 9 & 16. Call (510) 232-4031 or visit www.masquers.org.