THE FANTASTICKS Plays Fiddlehead Theatre, 4/13-29

A new production of the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks, comes to the Boston area this spring as The Fiddlehead Theatre Company presents the romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, two fathers, and a wall. 

Based on the tale Les Romanesques by Edmond Rostand, The Fantasticks features music by Harvey Schmidt and a book and lyrics by Tom Jones. The memorable score includes "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "They Were You" and the beloved hit, "Try to Remember." The Fantasticks runs from April 13 through 29 at The Fiddlehead Theatre in Dedham, MA. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, April 13 at 8 PM. 

A "quintessential celebration of love in all its gorgeous simplicity and heartbreaking complexities, The Fantasticks tells the story of 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 original cast featured Jerry Orbach and Rita Gardner and opened Off-Broadway May 3, 1960. After 42 years, the production closed on January 13, 2002 after 17,162 performances. In 1992, The Fantasticks was awarded Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre. In 2007, the musical was revived in New York at the Jerry Orbach Theater where it is still playing.

The Fantasticks features Michael S. Dunavant and Rachel Assaf as young lovers Matt and Luisa. Gene Dante plays El Gallo, the Narrator; Ron Cook is Hucklebbe, the Boy's Father; and Ray O'Hare plays Bellomy, the Girl's Father. Arthur Waldstein is Henry,  Hector Flores Jr. is the Mute and Ben Bartolone is Mortimer. The production will be directed by Meg Fofonoff, Fiddlehead Theatre Artistic Director.           

The Fantasticks performance on April 25th at 7:30pm will be followed by a question and answer session with Rita Gardner, who originated the role of The Girl in the original New York production. Miss Gardner will also perform her original one-woman show, "Try to Remember: A Look Back at Off-Broadway" as a Special Benefit for Fiddlehead Theatre Company on Thursday, April 26 at 7 pm (no performance of The Fantasticks that evening). Including the performance and a champagne and dessert reception, tickets are priced at $30 each.

The Fantasticks plays at The Fiddlehead Theatre Company, at 619 High St., Dedham 02026 from Friday, April 13 through Sunday, April 29. Performances on Wednesdays & Thursdays are at 7:30 PM, (no performance on Thursday, April 26) and shows on Fridays & Saturdays are at 8:00 PM, with Saturday & Sunday Matinees at 2:00 PM.  Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for seniors.  All tickets are 10% off on April 13-15 performances. For further information, or to purchase tickets, please call 781-329-1901 or visit the box office Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. 

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