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Overview
Synopsis
Whimsical, poignant, and romantic, The Fantasticks is an allegorical story that focuses on two young lovers, their meddling fathers, and the journey we all must take through adolescent thrills, the growing pains of hurt and betrayal, the highs of passion, the challenges of distance, and the agonies of heartbreak to discover how to truly love. In a theatrical and inventive fashion, our gallant and enigmatic narrator--El Gallo--introduces us to a pair of young lovers, Matt and Luisa, who experience the magical, moonlit phase of falling in love. For a time, romance seems perpetually exciting, and heroics seem always to save the day. However, El Gallo leads our young protagonists from the romantic moonlight into the harsh sunshine, where the weaknesses in their relationship are exposed and the reality of the struggles and heartache love brings is revealed. With the understanding that “without a hurt the heart is hollow,” Matt and Luisa manage to find their own identities, and in turn, to discover their strengths as a couple in times of both darkness and light. With the record for the longest American theatrical run, The Fantasticks is a gem of the American musical theatre. Featuring timeless classics like “Try to Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” this simple and beautiful ensemble piece is as beloved and as timely as it was when it opened over 50 years ago.
Show Information
- Book
- Tom Jones
- Music
- Harvey Schmidt
- Lyrics
- Tom Jones
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1960
- Genres
- Dark Comedy, Satire, Romance
- Settings
- Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- two houses, separated by a wall
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Chamber Opera, College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Though primarily based on Edmond Rostand’s Les Romanesques, Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s The Fantasticks with its highly theatrical format and inventive storytelling draws inspiration from a wide range of influences. According to Tom Jones, the idea of having a narrator who both introduces and influences the action of the play (El Gallo, in The Fantasticks), came from Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. The notion of having the actors remain onstage, even when not performing, originated in
to read the context for The Fantasticks and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
El Gallo, the narrator, welcomes the audience to the show while the actors set up the stage, and asks them to try to remember a time when they were young and innocent and in love (“Try to Remember”). Then, he introduces our protagonists: two adolescents named Matt and Luisa. Their houses are next door to one another, and are separated by a wall (played by the Mute). Despite their respective fathers’ insistence that they shouldn’t speak with each other on account of an ongoing
to read the plot for The Fantasticks and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Silent |
Songs
Act One
- Overture
- "Try to Remember" – El Gallo, Luisa, Matt, Hucklebee, Bellomy
- "Much More" – Luisa
- "Metaphor" – Matt, Luisa
- "Never Say No" – Hucklebee, Bellomy
- "It Depends On What You Pay" – El Gallo, Hucklebee, Bellomy
- "Soon It's Gonna Rain" – Matt, Luisa
- "Rape Ballet" (or, with an option offered later, "Abduction Ballet") – Company
- "Happy Ending" – Company
Act Two
- "This Plum Is Too Ripe" – Matt, Luisa, Hucklebee, Bellomy
- "I Can See It" – Matt, El Gallo
- "Plant a Radish" – Hucklebee, Bellomy
- "'Round and 'Round" – El Gallo, Luisa, Company
- "They Were You" – Matt, Luisa
- "Try to Remember" (reprise) – El Gallo
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A narrative that can be interpreted to have a hidden meaning, often related to history, society, morality, or religion.
A musical where a theme, metaphor or concept is just as important as the overarching plot and the featured songs.
Telling a story, often accompanying or guiding the central action of the play.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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