THE FANTASTICKS Plays the Spencer Theater, Beg. Tonight

THE FANTASTICKS is the longest-running production of any kind in the world, and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. The result is a timeless fable of love that manages to be nostalgic and universal at the same time.

Featuring clever stage craft and gossamer melodies with lyrics like "What at night seems oh so scenic/May be cynic in the light," and "Try to remember when life was so tender/That love was an ember about to billow," The Fantasticks is a timeless tale about love. It's also the perfect Valentine's treat for anyone and everyone who loves to love!

Taking center stage at the Spencer Theater at 8 p.m. tonight, February 14, the simple, yet sophisticated fable stars the lauded Nebraska Theatre Caravan players in two acts that are packed with sumptuous, atmospherically rich "steampunk" technology, creating artistic moods and heavily steam-powered scenes á lá science fiction and Victorian fantasy.

Excellent seats are available for $69 & $66. Call 575.336.4800 or go to www.spencertheater.com for tickets. A pre-performance Chicken Piccata lobby buffet ($20) is also available at 6 p.m. In The Fantasticks we meet two young lovers, which are next-door neighbors. The duo discover an all-consuming joy of mutual love, only to lose it - and then, thankfully, rediscover each other through a richer love. This is the more mature love that allows romance as well as individual quirks, idiosyncrasies and disappointments- the kind that may last.

The rocky course of their youthful amore is paved and potholed by their conspiring fathers. One is an old actor named Henry and his goofy sidekick Mortimer; the other is the boy's dad Hucklebee. In the mix is a dashing character called El Gallo, who is a wise, worldly and sentimental narrator and plot arranger. Together, they demonstrate the many shades of parental love - its emotional profundities and humorous eccentricities.

The Fantasticks brings springtime to February. The show is the world's longest-running musical, a commedia dell'arte-style tale that's packed with sentiment and whimsy. See why this refreshingly simplistic story became the enduring favorite that it is and why it was awarded a Tony for Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 1991. It'll make your Valentine's night a night to remember! THE FANTASTICKS Book and lyrics by Tom Jones; music by Harvey Schmidt, Based on Les Romanesques by Edmond Rostand; The Fantasticks is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Starring: Dan Chevalier (The Mute), Chad Bradford (El Gallo), Jennifer Tritaz, (Luisa), Peter O'Neal (Matt), Andrew Tebo (Hucklebee), Jon McDonald (Bellomy), Brent Burington (Henry) and Alejandro Gutierres (Mortimer).

Go to www.spencertheater.com for tickets and more information about all the season's shows. Or call 575.336.4800 to request a season brochure.

Get your season tickets now! Call the Spencer Theater at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com. (The site allows for secure ordering). You may also request a brochure with show descriptions to be mailed to your home or business.

WAYS TO ORDER/ BUY Winter Season 2013-14 Tickets (public series & public single ticket sales)

GO TO THE BOX OFFICE: at the theater at 108 Spencer Road, Airport Highway 220, Alto, NM. Business hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For tickets or information call (575) 336-4800 or toll free at 888.818.7872.

ON THE WEB: www.spencertheater.com. This site offers secure ticket ordering.

BY FAX: series and single event tickets can be ordered by fax at (575) 336-0055.

BY E-MAIL: tickets may be ordered at boxoffice@spencertheater.com.

BY MAIL: Donna Clarke, Box Office Manager, Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Road, Alto, NM 88312.