Cast, Menu, Special Events Set for THE FANTASTICKS at Half Moon Theatre, 4/24-5/10

Half Moon Theatre opens its inaugural spring season at The Culinary Institute of America with the beloved classic, The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical that has entranced generations of audiences the world over. The Fantasticks will run from April 24-May 10 (weekends only). Under the direction of Michael Schiralli, Half Moon Theatre puts its own spin on the Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt classic, which features a lush score and such timeless melodies as "Try To Remember," "Soon It's Gonna Rain," and "They Were You."

The Fantasticks is a funny and heartfelt musical about a boy, a girl, their two fathers, and the wall that separates their two houses. The boy and the girl fall in love, face the challenges of the harsh world, and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in the narrator, El Gallo's, words, "without a hurt, the heart is hollow." The gorgeous setting of The Marriott Pavilion at The Culinary Institute of America is a perfect backdrop for sharing this timeless, romantic musical.

"I have loved The Fantasticks since seeing it in the early 1980s at the intimate Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York City's Greenwich Village," says director Michael Schiralli. "Its deceptively simple plot of first love and self-discovery is as poignant today as when it opened in 1960.The Fantasticks transports its audiences to a place and time of their own innocence. I can't wait to stage it at the glorious, much larger, Marriott Pavilion and share it with Hudson Valley audiences-young and old alike."

The Culinary Institute of America has announced it will be opening the Caterina de' Medici on Saturday nights during The Fantasticks run (The Caterina is typically closed on Saturdays). The CIA will be offering a new spring menu for "family-style dining" at on Saturday, April 25 and May 2nd with a selection of antipastas, salads, pastas and dessert for $39pp (on May 9th the Caterina will offer the $39pp pre-theatre dining from the regular menu). The CIA is also holding $39pp pre-theatre reservations at American Bounty and Bocuse for Half Moon Theatre patrons throughout the production--interested theatre goers should call 845-905-4533 to make reservations.

The stellar cast of The Fantasticks includes: Michael Padgett (El Gallo), Emily Wexler (Luisa), Andrew Joseph Martin (Matt), Paul Kassel* (Hucklebee), David Simpatico* (Bellomy), Roger Hendricks Simon* (Henry, the old actor), Wayne Pyle* (Mortimer), and Deborah Coconis* (The Mute). (* denotes Half Moon Theatre company member).

The New Yorker describers The Fantasticks as "the kind of teenage love it depicts: nectar-sweet, exempt from time-and not nearly as simple as you may remember."

Hailed as "a gem" by The Wall Street Journal and as the "perfect first musical for any child to see" by amNewYork, The Fantasticks has been produced in every state in America and more than 60 countries worldwide.

"The course of true love never did run smooth--whether it is today, yesterday, 50 years ago or 150,000 years ago!" says Paul Kassel, who is playing Hucklebee. "Parents try to manage their children's futures and children think their parents are clueless--that never changes either. Heroes arise, but inevitably fail. Birth-growth-decline--rebirth. Schmidt and Jones purposely wrote the show to be "timeless." I think they succeeded and I'm certain audiences will think so, too."

Kassell, a Half Moon Theatre Company member, has worked off and off-off Broadway, in regional theatres, and as a guest artist. He is currently interim dean of the School of Fine and Performing Arts at SUNY New Paltz, and is a professor in the Department of Theatre Arts.

"I saw The Fantasticks about 25 years ago when it was still running at the old Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village," says David Simpatico, who plays Bellomy. "I was immediately won over by the simplicity and charm and universality of the simple love story. Back in college I had the pleasure of playing the El Gallo part in The Romantics, the Rostand play upon which the musical is based. Also, I wrote a ten minute musical called FreeFall, directed by Lonny Price, with a score by Jeff Blumenkrantz, and we were fortunate enough to include a cameo with Rita Gardner, the original Luisa, as a septuagenarian boxer!"

Simpatico, a Half Moon Theatre Company member and co-director of the HMT Writers' Group, most recently appeared as the Narrator in HMT's Side by Side by

Sondheim. Before that, he toured the country as Eddie/Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Show. As a playwright, his works have been presented at major theatres around the globe, including Lincoln Center, NYC Town Hall, Edinburgh Fringe, the Hammersmith Apollo (London), Williamstown Theatre Festival, Ensemble Studio Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival, the New York Theatre Workshop, English National Opera, the Boston Conservatory of Music, and the Half Moon Theatre.

HMT Managing Director Kristy Grimes says, "Half Moon Theatre is thrilled to be producing this gorgeous show-full of hilarious hijinks, familiar songs, and a lovely moral that resonates with all ages. We hope that people who haven't seen The Fantastics in many years will come back and see our production, and parents will share this classic piece of American musical history with their children."

Whether it is your first time seeing The Fantasticks or your fiftieth time, we invite you to "Try to Remember" why The Fantasticks continues to be the world's longest running-and most beloved-musical of all time.

Performance Dates:

FRIDAY 4/24, 5/1, 5/8 at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY 4/25, 5/2, 5/9 at 8 p.m.

SUNDAY 4/26, 5/3, 5/10 at 2 p.m.

Make Dinner Reservations Early: The Culinary Institute of America is holding a special block of dinner reservations at their restaurants for HMT patrons! Savor a delicious $39 pre-theatre three-course menu before The Fantasticks at the incredible American Bounty, Bocuse, Caterina de'Medici, or Pangea restaurants. The CIA is opening the Caterina de' Medici on Saturday nights during The Fantasticks with a delicious "family style" dining experience with new spring dishes! Please e-mail ciarestaurantgroup@culinary.edu or call 845-905-4533 to reserve your table today (availability is limited).

Tickets to The Fantasticks are sold separately at www.halfmoontheatre.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Don't Miss These Special Events for THE FANTASTICKS:

Saturday, 4/25: Opening Nights are always electric. Join the cast, creative team, and crew for a festive celebration immediately following the performance. The Culinary Institute of America will be providing a sumptuous dessert reception, including a signature cocktail. Don't miss this guaranteed night of fun at Half Moon Theatre! Reception included in ticket prices ($25-$45).

SUNDAY 4/26 at 1:20 pm: Pre-show talk about The Fantasticks with director Michael Schiralli.

FRIDAY 5/1 at 7:20 pm: Pre-show discussion about new CIA "pop-up" restaurant Pangea with CIA graduate and Chef Theodore Roe.

To purchase tickets to Half Moon Theatre's The Fantasticks, call 1-800-838-3006 or order online at www.halfmoontheatre.org. Tickets are $25 for children under 18, $35 for seniors and during matinees, and $40 for evening performances.

GROUP SALES tickets for The Fantasticks are available for parties of seven or more. For Groups Sales or gift certificates to Half Moon Theatre productions, contact info@halfmoontheatre.org.