The Fantasticks Heads to Broadway With Reimagined Story

A beloved Off-Broadway classic is about to take center stage on Broadway, this time with a contemporary update that speaks to new generations.

Producers Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, Daryl Roth, and True North Theatricals are developing a reimagined version of The Fantasticks, the world’s longest-running musical.

This adaptation transforms the timeless coming-of-age romance into a modern gay love story, as Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Death Becomes Her) steps in as director and choreographer.

This new version features a revised book and lyrics by Tom Jones with music by Harvey Schmidt – a project completed by Tom before his passing in 2023.

Audiences and critics first saw this adaptation at Michigan’s Flint Repertory Theatre back in 2022, and its positive reception led to further showings in Provincetown, MA, and Cathedral City, CA.

Here, Matt and Lewis replace the original Matt and Luisa as the story’s romantic leads, while the show’s iconic pair of fathers become mothers in this fresh LGBTQ+ re-envisioning.

With its themes of love, longing and reconciliation, The Fantasticks finds new resonance in its reworked story.

The Fantasticks first premiered Off-Broadway in 1960 and ran for 42 years, notching an impressive 17,162 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse.

Past performers range from Jerry Orbach and Liza Minnelli to Ricardo Montalbán and Kristin Chenoweth.