The production will feature new elements of magic, from small sleight-of-hand tricks to large astonishing magical feats. Illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, who has designed illusions for Barnum and Bailey Circus, David Copperfield and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, will add his brand of magic and illusion. These elements, paired with Lee’s grand set design, are a new approach to this show, which is traditionally presented as a small-scale production.
“Magic is the art of making the impossible seem possible, similar to the story of The Fantasticks, where what you see is not always what’s really there,” Dehnert said. “By setting the show in the abandoned amusement park, the audience can recall the happiness that these places once contained and tap into a place that was once simple. The Fantasticks returns the audience to this forgotten place to see the magic again, and be aware of past innocence and search for adventure.”
Originally premiering as a one-act musical in 1959 at Barnard College, “The Fantasticks” began its famous Off-Broadway run May 3, 1960 at the Sullivan Street Playhouse, where it played until January 13, 2002, a record-breaking 42 years. In 1992, “The Fantasticks” received a Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theater. Tom Jones (Book & Lyrics) and Harvey Schmidt (Music) wrote The Fantasticks for a summer theater at Barnard College.
After its Off-Broadway opening in 1960, it went on to become the longest-running production in American theater history and one of the most frequently produced musicals in the world. It is currently running in a successful revival in New York.
The Arena Stage musical theater season is sponsored by Jaylee Mead. The Fantasticks is sponsored by Shugoll Research.
Tickets for The Fantasticks range from $25 to $74 plus applicable fees and may be purchased online at www.arenastage.org, by phone at (202) 488-3300 or at the Arena Stage Sales Office at 1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202.
PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (6:00 p.m. curtain on 12/6)
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. curtain on 12/6)
Weekday matinees at noon on 12/1, 12/2, 12/9, 12/10 & 12/22
Additional Monday performance on 12/21 at 7:30 p.m.
No performance on 11/26,12/24 and 12/25
