THE FANTASTICKS - the original fringe musical (1959)

I've never seen the Fantasticks, so thanks to Good People Theatre Company for giving me a chance. At two hours run time, it's a beast for Fringe schedules, but I saw a pleasant crowd of all ages walk out with a smile on their face. Personally, I have negotiated a détente in my war against musical theatre, but tensions still run deep in the decades-long conflict. I do not enjoy much of the "classic musical" catalog, of which I think it is safe to include "The Fantasticks." While the actor-controlled aesthetic feels "Fringe-y" - whatever that even means - there seems to be a staleness or lack of vitality that I can't necessarily place on the production or the source material. Certainly, with a centerpiece of a woman treated as property (and th... full review

The Fantasticks was absolutely delightful in every way! I have seen this show many times throughout the years... However, this production is my favorite by far. The direction, (Janet Miller does it again! Fabulous!) The musical numbers, superb acting, comedic timing, the harp and piano, staging-lighting, the pacing of the show, was a "ten" across the board! This production is flawless. It is the perfect "Fantasticks!" Go see this production- It's just too good to miss! I wish you all the best!- Marci Richmond Herrera... full review

The Fantasticks was a wonderful show. The harp was amazing and elevated the entire production to the next next. The design of the show fit the Lillian Theatre like a glove and I don't think I've seen that much confetti used in my life, ever! Matt Franta was delightful as the bright eyed and hopeful Matt and brought a a wonderful grounded-ness to a role that is often a caricature. Janet Miller directed and once again did an amazing job, I cannot wait to see what show Good People Theatre Company does next. I would highly recommend this production!... full review

If you’re old, like me, you remember the days when music from the theatre moved onto the pop charts. Once song that was very popular in the 1960s was “Try to Remember”. You might recall the song: Try to remember the kind of September When life was slow and oh, so mellow. Try to remember the kind of September When grass was green and grain was yellow. Try to remember the kind of September When you were a tender and callow fellow. Try to remember, and if you remember, Then follow. Many years later, I learned that this song was from one of the longest running off-Broadway musicals, “The Fantastiks“, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt. It opened shortly after I was born in 1960, ran for 42 years, closed ... full review

***This review first appeared on artsinla.com.*** When this modest little musical, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, first opened Off-Broadway in 1960, no one could have predicted the astonishing success it would achieve. It ran for a grand 42 years, racking up an astronomical 17,162 performances, and has since been performed all over the world. The show was loosely adapted from an old play, The Romanticks, by that arch-romantic Edmond Rostand, creator of Cyrano de Bergerac. If, as Thornton Wilder observed, art is the orchestration of clichés, this is a prime example. Most of the jokes—dealing with the follies and foibles of young lovers, and the scheming of ambitious parents—were old when Shakespeare was... full review