BAYOU CITY THEATRICS IS PROUD TO BRING THE FANTASTICKS, THE WORLD’S LONGEST-RUNNING MUSICAL, TO THE KALEIDOSCOPE!

Houston (November, 2015) – THE FANTASTICKS, based on Edmond Rostand’s Les Romanesques, opened off-Broadway in 1960. With unprecedented music by Harvey Schmidt and imaginative lyrics by Tom Jones, the show has become a paramount production in the United States, as well as internationally. THE FANTASTICKS tells an offbeat love story, packed full of sidesplitting comedy and colorful twists. Bayou City Theatrics’ production of THE FANTASTICKS runs November 6 through November 22, at the Kaleidoscope.

Bayou City Theatrics has completely re-imagined this world-renowned musical, allowing the nostalgic beauty of the piece to stay in tact, while introducing fascinating surprises and allowing audiences to re-discover exactly why THE FANTASTICKS has become a staple in musical theatre culture. Our narrator, El Gallo (Michael Morrison), brings “The Mute” (Penny Rieger) to an attic filled with memories where he weaves the tale of two youthful and “star-crossed” lovers; Matt (Luke Hamilton), and Luisa (Victoria Riley).

Kept apart by their fathers (Michael Raabe and Will Ledesma) in an attempt to coerce them into falling in love, Matt and Luisa meet in secret in the moonlight. The fathers seek the help of Henry and Mortimer (both portrayed by Travis Ammons) to stage an abduction of Luisa so that Matt can heroically rescue her and end the “feud” that has been raging between the fathers. Once their plan comes to fruition, the harsh sunlight reveals that nothing is ever as it seems.

Music Director, Jane Volke, says of the production’s music, “THE FANTASTICKS' score is nostalgic and whimsical with touching and memorable lyrics. In opposition to traditional musical theatre scoring, this show is accompanied by only piano and harp, which makes it incredibly unique and stunning.”

BCT’s Artistic Director, speaks of his directorial and design approach, “In setting out to ‘re-imagine’ one of the most beloved works of musical theatre in the history of the world, I had quite a task ahead of me. I asked myself ‘exactly what has made this piece transcend its modern peers into its position as a phenomenon?’” Berry continues, “This question loomed over me until I revisited my own thoughts and opinions surrounding my choice to produce it in the first place. THE FANTASTICKS, in essence, may be one of the most beautiful examples of power in simplicity. In its original conception, the musical completely veered from the standard world of glitzy, glamorous Broadway theatre and offered a very ‘under-produced’ piece of storytelling. It didn’t need the bells and whistles to tell a universally touching story. It instead, relied on truth. Actors spoke directly to the audience, often asking that they use their imagination, and the world of the story was created as an intimate journey between performer and audience. The idea of sharing simple truths is at the heart of our production.”  Leaving us with a small tease, Berry adds, “We’ve reexamined the relationships between these simple characters to find an even deeper message. We ask, ‘Why is it so important to ‘Try to Remember’?’ Our production is full of nostalgia, but perhaps in a way you least expect it.”

THE FANTASTICKS runs November 6 through November 22, on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00p.m., and Sundays at 5:00pm. at Bayou City Theatrics’ downtown theatre, The Kaleidoscope (705 Main Street at Capitol, Suite B). Tickets are available at www.BayouCityTheatrics.com, through the box office line at 832.817.8656, or at the door, although BCT encourages purchasing tickets in advance to secure seating in their intimate venue. Convenient cash parking is located less than one block away at the corner of Capitol & Fannin, in the SAKS’ garage.