Harvey Schmidt News

How do hit Broadway musicals stay fresh after running for two decades?

New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' announces its 26th season of adult, alternative musical theatre, including the world premiere of a new revised version of the wild, 1969 adult jazz-rock musical CELEBRATION, by the creators of The Fantasticks, running Sept. 29-Oct. 22, 2016; followed by Kander & Ebb's rarely produced gem ZORBA, running March 2-25, 2017; then the regional premiere of the pitch-black 2002 jazz-rock musical THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, based on the famous novel and film, running June 1-24, 2017; and the world premiere of the third installment of New Line's own creation, the new revue OUT ON BROADWAY: THE THIRD COMING, running August 3-19, 2017. All New Line's mainstage shows will be in the company's new home, the Marcelle Theater, the new blackbox theatre in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts district.

THE FANTASTICKS, a well-loved, classic musical, professionally produced by The Winter Park Playhouse, will extend the run of its production due to popular demand. Additional performances are Thursday, June 16? at 2 p.m., Friday, June 17 at 7:30p.m. and two performances Saturday, June 18 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. ?

Summer is on its way, and the Contemporary Theater Company is gearing up for a great season in Downtown Wakefield!

THE FANTASTICKS opened for the first time in a small Off-Broadway theater in Greenwich Village in 1960. It has enjoyed astonishing popularity and is still running Off-Broadway to this very day. Recently, the Winter Park Playhouse opened this timeless show to close out its 2015-2016 season.

Next up at The Firehouse Theatre - The Fantasticks opens June 3rd and runs through June 19th. The Fantasticks is a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. The show's original off-Broadway production ran a total of 42 years and 17,162 performances, making it the world's longest-running musical. With memorable songs like "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain", this nostalgic show is not one to miss!

THE FANTASTICKS, the Tom Jones (book and lyrics) and Harvey Schmidt (music) musical holds the honor of being 'the only Off-Broadway show to have won a Tony.' In addition, the show, which has been playing in New York for 56 years, is also the longest running theatrical production in American theater history.

Today in 2007, the first Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 94 performances. 110 in the Shade is a musical with a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Harvey Schmidt. Based on Nash's 1954 play The Rainmaker, it focuses on Lizzie Curry, a spinster living on a ranch in the American southwest, and her relationships with local sheriff File, a cautious divorce who fears being hurt again, and charismatic con man Bill Starbuck, posing as a rainmaker who promises the locals he can bring relief to the drought-stricken area. The revival cast featured Audra McDonald as Lizzi and John Cullum as H.C. Curry.

The Off Broadway musical THE FANTASTICKS will turn 57 years old on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 - continuing its run as the longest running musical in the world.

There's always time to remember this romantic fable about a boy, a girl, their two fathers and a love that grows with each season.

Centenary Stage Company's Young Performers work tirelessly to perfect their dance moves, learn all of their lines, and get their vocal harmonies just right for the culmination of their training session and this spring is no exception. These talented young thespians between the ages of 8 and 18 to the Little Theater with their annual Spring Festival of Shows May 27 through June 5.  This year's festival features a variety of musical favorites to entertain audiences of all ages.  Hailed as a "state treasure" by Peter Filichia of the Star Ledger and bringing in youth from Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties, Centenary Stage Company's Young Performance Workshop is one of the few young actor training programs in the country that combines formal training with practical application.

The longest running musical in the world The Fantasticks is always at its best when produced and performed with simplicity. When I first saw it in New York in the 60s, it was performed in a cabaret space against a brick wall, with the suspension of a paper moon above. You can't get much simpler than that. In their revival Crown City Theatre keep it simple with minimal blocking from director Lisaun Whittingham and boasting a fine cast...

The 2016 Clay & Wattles Theater Company opens with the Tony-award winning play 'Act One,' by James Lapine, presented for the first time in Connecticut. The inspirational story is based on the autobiography of the same name by the American theater icon, Moss Hart.

There's always time to remember this romantic fable about a boy, a girl, their two fathers and a love that grows with each season.

What is the longest running musical in New York City history? No, it's not PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CHICAGO or THE LION KING. It's that little musical, THE FANTASTICKS, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt. It's been on the boards in Manhattan for over 56 years.

MainStreet Theatre Company presents the Theatre for Young Audiences premiere of MIRETTE, with book Elizabeth Diggs, music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. School performances begin today, April 18th, with the public opening on April 23rd. The show runs until May 8th, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Young love is a distant memory when Matt is 64 and Louisa is 72.

The Musical Theater Project (TMTP) will produce "Behind the Musical: The Fantasticks" for two performances on Saturday, April 30 (7pm) at Stocker Arts Center at Lorain County Community College, and Sunday, May 1 (3pm) at Regina Auditorium at Notre Dame College.

A show worth seeingAn inspired piano overture flows smoothly into 'The Fantasticks' signature opening song; 'Try To Remember.' 'The Fantasticks' is a simple fable for all time about a boy, a girl, their two fathers, and a wall. Kansas City Repertory Theatre reinvents 'The Fantasticks,' history's most performed musical play, with an all-star cast, expanded musical accompaniment, and a lavish new setting.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that stage and screen star Robert Norton, known for his roles in WAGON TRAIN (1957), AS THE WORLD TURNS (1956) and A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH (1965), passed away on March 9, 2016 while in hospice in Encino, Calif.