Fantasticks lyricist and book writer Tom Jones again directs the production that began a winter hiatus Feb. 24, following 27 previews and 628 regular performances at the Orbach Theater. There will be no official opening press night.
The current Off-Broadway company features Nick Spangler and Erica Piccininni as, respectively, the Boy and the Girl and Dennis Parlato as El Gallo with Tom Flagg, Gene Jones, Jordan Nichols, Steve Routman, John Shuman and John Thomas Waite.
Janet Watson serves as choreographer for the production that has musical direction by Robert Felstein.
The Fantasticks, according to press notes "is a captivating and simple love story about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall. The audience uses its imagination to follow El Gallo as he creates a world of moonlight and magic, and then pain and disillusionment, until the boy and girl find their way back to one other." Songs from the popular musical include "Try to Remember," "They Were You," "Much More," "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "I Can See It."
Producers of the musical also note that fans will now be able to blog about their Fantasticks experience from the lobby of the Jerry Orbach Theater. Theatregoers can upload their thoughts on the production thanks to a computer in the lobby that will post their words at www.fantasticksonbroadway.com. The Fantasticks is the world's longest-running musical, having played a record-breaking run of more than 17,000 performances in Greenwich Village. The Fantasticks originally opened at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in May 1960 and closed Jan. 13, 2002. The original company included Wedding Singer star Rita Gardner and the late Jerry Orbach. Harvey Schmidt wrote the music, and Tom Jones penned the book and lyrics. Word Baker directed the original Off-Broadway company.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or by calling (212) 307-4100. The Snapple Theater Center is located at 210 West 50th Street at Broadway.