The Fantasticks, July 17th - September 2nd
In a clever reverse of the Romeo and Juliet story, two fathers, in a well meaning attempt to spark a romance between their children, devise a scheme in which they pretend to feud. What unfolds is a timeless story of innocence undone, of illusion lost and wisdom gained; a story of growing up and facing the sometime cruelty of the real world and in the process, finding that love was waiting in your own backyard.
This musical is perfectly suited to the magical outdoor venue in Rebagliati Park, Whistler. With most of the play set outdoors and the forces of nature thematically underlying the play, The Fantasticks comes alive with the forest backdrop and the starry sky above.
The Fantasticks is a 1960 musical comedy with music and book by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. It is loosely based on the story “The Romancers” by Edmond Rostand incorporating aspects of old-fashioned '40s Broadway styles with a more contemporary, "fantastical" style.
It premiered in the Sullivan Street Playhouse, New York May 3, 1960 with Jerry Orbach in the role of El Gallo. This production closed January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. . It is the world's longest-running musical, and the longest-running, uninterrupted show of any kind in the U.S.A.
Less than 5 years after closing, its revival opened on Broadway August 2006!
"People can take it on many different levels," composer Harvey Schmidt said. "Children love it. To them, it's just like a fairy tale. But there are so many different levels for many different people. For very sophisticated people, there are a lot of witty inside references, both theatrical and literary, that they can appreciate."
2007 Cast and Creative Team (coming soon)
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Marek Norman
Musical Director
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