Ullman, Succeeded by Spangler, is Fantasticks' New Matt

On Monday, October 30, 2006, Nick Spangler will join the cast of Off-Broadway's The Fantasticks in the role of The Mute, formerly played by Douglas Ullman, Jr.

Ullman will stay in the company to step into the role of Matt, replacing Santino Fontana.

The revival of the beloved, musical love story features music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones.   Jones also directs.

The show opened on Wednesday, August 23, at New York's Snapple Theater Center (210 West 50th Street at Broadway).

The cast of The Fantasticks also includes: Thomas Bruce as Henry, Leo Burmester as Hucklebee, Sara Jean Ford as Luisa, Burke Moses as El Gallo, Robert R. Oliver as Mortimer, Douglas Ullman, Jr. as Matt and Martin Vidnovic as Bellomy.

Spangler's regional credits include Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Matt in The Fantasticks (The Gateway Playhouse), and Doody in Grease (Forestburgh Playhouse). 

Ullman recently returned to the United States after playing Rolf in the Asia tour of The Sound of Music.  Other credits include: Cabaret, Godspell, Grease and Ragtime.

The show concerns "a young boy and girl who fall madly in love at the hands of their meddling fathers, but soon grow restless and stray from one another. Will their separation provide a deeper appreciation for the love they once shared or create a permanent gulf between them? The musical is the quintessential celebration of love, in all its gorgeous simplicity and heartbreaking complexities," according to press notes. The Fantasticks features such classic tunes as "Try To Remember," "Much More," and "I Can See It." The show 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 musical is produced by Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel and Thomas Viertel.

The playing schedule is as follows: Monday at 8:30pm, Wednesday at 2:30pm, Thursday and Friday at 8:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and 8:30pm and Sunday at 3:15pm and 7:30pm

Tickets are $75, with a special $35 ticket price for selected seating on Sunday evening performances, and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com at (212) 307-4100.

Visit www.nickspangler.com for more on Spangler.