THE FANTASTICKS Ushers In Pull-Tight Players' 2017-18 Season

One of the world's best-known and longest-runnng musicals - The Fantasticks by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt - ushers in the 2017-18 season at Franklin's Pull-Tight Theatre in a new production helmed by director Pat Street, running August 11-26.

Following its recent closing in New York as the world's longest-running musical, Pull-Tight Players presents the audience favorite that ran for 53 years Off-Broadway and was awarded Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre.

The Fantasticks tells a simple tale of "a boy, a girl, two fathers, and a wall." Using both familiar and unconventional theatrical wizardry, Pull-Tight Players' The Fantasticks will invite audiences to use their imagination to follow the narrator, El Gallo, as he creates a world of moonlight and magic, of carnivals and burning disillusion. With book/lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, this romantic fable of boy meets girl takes the audience on a mystical journey through love, innocence lost, disenchantment and, finally, wisdom, along with ample laughter. The show's memorable score includes the songs "Try to Remember," "Soon It's Gonna Rain," and "They Were You."

Director Pat Street has assembled a cast of Pull-Tight veterans and newcomers, including Jeremy Hargis in the iconic role of El Gallo. Jacqueline Leach plays Luisa (the Girl) and Lucas Beckett plays Matt (the Boy). Howard Snyder plays Bellomy (the Girl's Father) and Mark Buchanan plays Hucklebee (the Boy's Father). Dan Zeigler plays Henry, Clay Walker plays Mortimer and JK Gregg plays the Mute.

Street's production team includes producer Lynda Gibbs, music director Kyle Rybczyk, choreographers Becky Leopard and Christina Sartell, set designer Jacob Heinz, production stage manager Jeanne Drone, and bandleader Dann Childers.

The Fantasticks runs August 11-26, 2017; dates/times as follows: August 11-12, 17-19, 24-26 at 7:30 p.m.; and August 20 Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 adults; $16 seniors (age 60 and up); $12 children & students (with student ID) Tickets can be purchased online at www.pull-tight.com or by calling (615) 791-5007, beginning July 31. Pull-Tight Theatre is located at 112 Second Avenue South in historic downtown Franklin.