Photo Flash: 'The Fantasticks' Celebrates 500th Performance

The new Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks celebrated 500th performance on Saturday, November 3, 2007.  The beloved, musical love story plays at the Snapple Theater Center (210 West 50th Street at Broadway) in the newly dedicated Jerry Orbach Theater.  

The Fantasticks originally opened at New York's Sullivan Street Playhouse on May 3, 1960 and played 17,162 performances before closing January 13, 2002, making it the world's longest running musical.  The new production of The Fantasticks opened on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 under the direction of its co-creator Tom Jones.

A classic coming-of-age story, The Fantasticks tells the story of a young boy and girl who fall madly in love at the hands of their meddling fathers. Featuring the beloved songs "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain," The Fantasticks is a celebration of love—first love, lost love and true love. 

Written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, The Fantasticks has delighted people across the world. Audiences have enjoyed 11,103 productions in over 3,000 cities and towns throughout the United States.  Internationally, more than 700 productions have been staged in 68 nations from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and beyond.

The current cast features Whitney Bashor as "Luisa," Thomas Bruce as "Henry," John Deyle as "Hucklebee," Burke Moses as "El Gallo," Jordan Nichols as "The Mute," Robert R. Oliver as "Mortimer," Douglas Ullman, Jr. as "The Boy" and Martin Vidnovic as "Bellomy."

The Fantasticks features scenic and costume design by Ed Wittstein, lighting design by Mary Jo Dondlinger, sound design by Domonic Sack and musical staging by Janet Watson.

The Fantasticks is produced by Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel and Thomas Viertel.

The Fantasticks plays at New York's Snapple Theater Center (210 West 50th Street at Broadway).  Tickets are $76, with a special $36 ticket price for selected seating on Sunday evening performances, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com at (212) 307-4100.

The playing schedule for The Fantasticks is as follows: Monday at 8PM, Tuesday at 7PM, Wednesday at 2PM, Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM & 8PM and Sunday at 2PM & 7PM.

For more information, please visit www.fantasticksonstage.com.  

Photos by Melissa Bixler