Gene Jones News

Try to Remember: The Fantasticks, a documentary film recounting the success of the world's longest-running musical, will make its television debut tonight at 9pm on the Ovation network.

Tom Jones, the lyricist and book writer of The Fantasticks, will play his final performances as Henry (The Old Actor) in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, this Sunday, June 6 at 3pm and 7:15pm. Jones first played the role in 1960 when The Fantasticks premiered at The Sullivan Street Playhouse.

Playwright Tracey Scott Wilson rips through the pages of history in The Good Negro, a 'powerfully moving' (The New York Times) and 'thunderous new play' (Variety) about the drive for racial equality-and the clash between private ethics and public good. Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith, who helmed Wilson's 2005 play The Story at the Goodman, directs this Chicago premiere, featuring a cast of Broadway stars and local favorites. A design team led by Tony Award-nominated Set Designer Riccardo Hernandez brings the production to life using inspiration from the iconic imagery of photojournalist Charles Moore. The Good Negro runs May 1 - June 6, 2010 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Tickets start at $25. In conjunction with this Chicago premiere, WBEZ's Richard Steele interviews Wilson and Smith for an Artists Talk discussion about The Good Negro on Wednesday, May 5, 6 - 7pm at Goodman Theatre. The Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation is the Major Production Sponsor for The Good Negro; Allstate Insurance Company is the Major Corporate Sponsor; and Bank of America and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP are the Corporate Sponsor Partners. The Joyce Foundation provides principal support of Artistic Development and Diversity Initiatives. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

Tom Jones, the lyricist and book writer of The Fantasticks, will play his final performances as Henry (The Old Actor) in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, this Sunday, June 6 at 3pm and 7:15pm. Jones first played the role in 1960 when The Fantasticks premiered at The Sullivan Street Playhouse.

The Good Negro is a gripping new play that rips through the pages of history to uncover the human story at the heart of the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement. Tensions build in the increasingly hostile South as a trio of emerging black leaders attempts to conquer their individual demons amid death threats from the Ku Klux Klan and wire taps by the FBI. Through personal and intimate stories inspired by the political upheavals of the era, The Good Negro examines the human frailties behind the historic headlines.

Two backers of the original production of THE FANTASTICKS have reaped a 24,000-percent return on their original investment. The production, which began its run in 1960 and and closed in 2002, will still produce income for the family, Marjorie and Malcolm Gray, until 2020 based on the terms of the original contract, which states the backers will receive money for 18 years following the shows final performance.

The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will turn 50 this coming Monday, May 3, 2010. Three days of celebration are planned to commemorate this historic occasion.

Playwright Tracey Scott Wilson rips through the pages of history in The Good Negro, a 'powerfully moving' (The New York Times) and 'thunderous new play' (Variety) about the drive for racial equality-and the clash between private ethics and public good. Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith, who helmed Wilson's 2005 play The Story at the Goodman, directs this Chicago premiere, featuring a cast of Broadway stars and local favorites. A design team led by Tony Award-nominated Set Designer Riccardo Hernandez brings the production to life using inspiration from the iconic imagery of photojournalist Charles Moore. The Good Negro runs May 1 - June 6, 2010 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Tickets start at $25. In conjunction with this Chicago premiere, WBEZ's Richard Steele interviews Wilson and Smith for an Artists Talk discussion about The Good Negro on Wednesday, May 5, 6 - 7pm at Goodman Theatre. The Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation is the Major Production Sponsor for The Good Negro; Allstate Insurance Company is the Major Corporate Sponsor; and Bank of America and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP are the Corporate Sponsor Partners. The Joyce Foundation provides principal support of Artistic Development and Diversity Initiatives. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

Casting is complete for Goodman Theatre's Chicago-premiere production of Tracey Scott Wilson's The Good Negro, directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith. Wilson and Smith have tapped nine actors to bring this historical drama to the Albert stage, including Karen Aldridge (Goodman's The Cook; Proof); Teagle F. Bougere (Broadway's A Raisin in the Sun; The Tempest); Tory O. Davis (Goodman's Magnolia); John Hoogenakker (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Shakespeare's Othello); Billy Eugene Jones (Broadway's Passing Strange; Radio Golf); Nambi Kelley (Goodman's Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Victory Gardens' The Lost Boys of Sudan); Demetrios Troy (Northlight's Awake and Sing; Chicago Shakespeare's Richard III); Dan Waller (Goodman's Ghostwritten; Talking Pictures) and Mick Weber (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Theatre's Shear Madness). The production will run from May 1 - June 6, 2010.

BroadwayWold.com is pleased to introduce illustrator Ken Fallin, who will be bringing to you original illustrations of everyone's favorite theatrical stars each week. This week's feature: the 50th anniversary production of THE FANTASTICKS with Edward Watts, Kimberly Whalen, Steve Routman, Tom Jones, Michael Nostrand, Matt Leisy, Gene Jones, and Erik Altemus.

The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will turn 50 this coming Monday, May 3, 2010. Three days of celebration are planned to commemorate this historic occasion.

Tom Jones, the lyricist and book writer of The Fantasticks, will reprise the role of Henry (The Old Actor) in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, in celebration of the show's 50th anniversary. Jones originated the role in 1960 when The Fantasticks premiered at The Sullivan Street Playhouse.

The cast of The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will sing the national anthem at the Saturday, April 10, 2010 Mets game at Citi Field in Flushing, New York.

The cast of The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will sing the national anthem at the Saturday, April 10, 2010 Mets game at Citi Field in Flushing, New York. The performance, which is in recognition of the show's 50th anniversary Off Broadway, is part of Jack Lang Day, named in honor of the beloved Hall of Fame sportswriter who covered the Mets for twenty-five years and who died in 2007.

The cast of The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will sing the national anthem at the Saturday, April 10, 2010 Mets game at Citi Field in Flushing, New York. The performance, which is in recognition of the show's 50th anniversary Off Broadway, is part of Jack Lang Day, named in honor of the beloved Hall of Fame sportswriter who covered the Mets for twenty-five years and who died in 2007.

Edward Watts, most recently seen on Broadway in Finian's Rainbow, will assume the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, on Monday, March 22, 2010. He replaces Lewis Cleale, who played his final performance on March 14.

Edward Watts, most recently seen on Broadway in Finian's Rainbow, will assume the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, on Monday, March 22, 2010. He replaces Lewis Cleale, who will play his final performance on March 14.

Edward Watts, most recently seen on Broadway in Finian's Rainbow, will assume the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, on Monday, March 22, 2010. He replaces Lewis Cleale, who will play his final performance on March 14.

The Huntington Theatre Company continues its 28th season - a season of American stories - with Stick Fly, Huntington Playwriting Fellow Lydia R Diamond's smart, moving, and funny portrait of a complex African-American family.

In celebration of its upcoming 50th anniversary and just in time for Valentine's Day, The Fantasticks invites couples who have been together for 50 years or more to see the show free of charge and take home a commemorative photo with the cast.