The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV presents The Fantasticks (music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones), Off-Broadway's longest-running musical, January 28 - February 6 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Glenn Casale directs.
The play opened on May 3, 1960 and played 17,162 performances before closing January 13, 2002. The Broadway revival is currently running at the Snapple Theatre in New York City.
In The Fantasticks, two neighboring fathers construct a wall between their homes to ensure that their children fall in love, because they know children always do what their parents forbid. Hit songs from the play include "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain."
Casale is a veteran Broadway director with a resume that includes Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby; the international tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast; and the international tour of The Little Mermaid.
The cast includes Aaron Marcotte as El Gallo; Melody Wilson as Luisa; Jordan Bondurant as Matt; Alan Dronek as Hucklebee; Michael Thatcher as Bellomy; Michael Tylo as Henry; John Maltese as Mortimer; and Paris McCarthy as The Mute.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on January 28 and 29 and February 3, 4, and 5, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6. Tickets are $20-$30 and on sale at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Box Office may be reached by calling 895-ARTS (2787).