The Fantasticks to Play the West End

The Fantasticks is set to play the West End’s Duchess Theatre. The new production, directed by Amon Miyamoto, will begin performances on May 24, 2010. Opening night is set for June 9. 2010.

Featuring a book, music and lyrics by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, The Fantasticks tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the play The Romancers (Les Romanesques) by Edmond Rostand, concerning two neighboring fathers who put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love, because they know children always do what their parents forbid. After the children do fall in love, they discover their fathers' plot and each goes off and experience the world. Finally they return to each other and the love they had, having learned from the world to recognize their true feelings. The score includes such hits as “Try To Remember,” “They Were You” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.”

The Fantasticks first premiered in New York in 1960 at the Sullivan Street Playhouse. It ran there for 42 years, making it the longest-running musical in the world before it closed in 2002. A new production of the show opened at off-Broadway’s Snapple Theatre Center in 2006, where it continues its run.

The London production of The Fantasticks will feature scenic design by Rumi Matsui, lighting design by Rick Fisher and costume design by Nicky Shaw. No cast has been announced.