Upcoming: The Fantasticks, Austin Playhouse, May 22 - June 28

UPDATE: Click for ALT review, May 29





Received from Austin Playhouse:

Austin Playhouse presents

The Fantasticks

music by Harvey Schmidt, book and lyrics by Tom Jones
May 22 – June 28, 2009
Thursday – Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 5pm

The world’s longest running musical is back!

The Fantasticks has enchanted audiences for almost fifty years with its timeless story, memorable music, and delightful characters. Songs like “Try to Remember,” “Much More,” and “Soon it’s Gonna Rain” frame the simple fable of a boy and a girl who find the path to true love (and learn that it never does run smooth).

Matt and Luisa have lived next door to each other their whole lives. Their fathers, Hucklebee and Bellomy, know that children only want what’s forbidden, so they build a wall between the two houses and pretend to feud. Matt and Luisa instantly fall in love. To seal the deal and end the fake feud the fathers employ the mysterious El Gallo to “kidnap” Luisa so Matt can rescue her and they can have a Happy Ending. But the young lovers must discover the real world for themselves and face true disappointments and heartbreaks before they can live happily ever after.

The Fantasticks stars Brian Coughlin as El Gallo, Tom Parker as Bellomy, Huck Huckaby as Hucklebee, David Stahl as Henry, Michael Stuart as Mortimer, Jacob Trussell as Matt, Steffanie Ngo-Hatchie as Luisa, and Kasey Eggleston as the Mute.

The Fantasticks is directed by Don Toner with musical direction by Michael McKelvey, costume design by Diana Huckaby, and lighting design by Don Day. Austin Playhouse produced a successful production of The Fantasticks in 2001. The Fantasticks opened in New York on May 3, 1960 and played 17,162 performances before closing January 13, 2002. A revival is currently running at the Snapple Theater Center in New York City.

Austin Playhouse at Penn Field, 3601 S. Congress, Bldg. C

Prices: $28 Thursday and Friday, $30 Saturday and Sunday, $35 Opening Night, Friday May 22nd
All student tickets are half-price.
Info/Reservations: (512) 476-0084
Website: www.austinplayhouse.com