'The Fantasticks,' world's longest-running musical, comes to ESU

EAST STROUDSBURG — Romance takes the stage at East Stroudsburg University with the musical classic "The Fantasticks," from Feb. 24 to 28.

“This show is a valentine, blending comedy and romance with a lyrical score to produce an enchanting theatrical experience,” said Margaret Ball, associate professor of theatrt and the production’s director.

With book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, the musical features two parents who try to trick their children into falling in love, but create a cascade of unanticipated consequences. Memorable songs like “Try to Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” helped The Fantasticks run for more than 17,000 performances in New York City, making it the world’s longest-running musical.

“The musical is a mash up, paying homage to many popular forms of theatre and entertainment,” Ball said. “The show combines elements from the ancient myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet," commedia d’ell arte, opera comique, Beat poetry, Latin dance music of the 1950s, and even Zorro.”

The Fantasticks was conceived for a small space, Ball said, so, for the first time, the theater department is presenting a musical in the Dale Snow Black Box Theatre. The production is totally acoustical, using the original orchestration of piano and harp.

The set and costume designer is Yoshinori Tanokura, associate professor of theater. Guest artist Bruce Abbot designed the lighting, and Associate Professor Betsy Buzzelli-Clarke is musical director.

Curtain times are as follows:
7:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 to 26

2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 27

2 p.m. on Feb. 28
All performances are in the Dale Snow Theatre of the university’s Fine and Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg. Advance ticket purchase is recommendes.

General admission is $12, or $10 for senior citizens, faculty and staff with ID,$7 for students with ID and $5 for youth. The play is recommended for ages 10 and above.

Tickets may be purchased in advance online at esu.edu/theatretickets. For reservations or more information, email esuarts@esu.edu or call 570-422-3483 ext. 4.