Theater is very much alive and growing in the Greater Los Angeles area and that includes the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.
When plays like The Fantasticks are revived and given the freedom to reinvent themselves there is new energy that gives opportunity to talented Angelenos who can invent and present Southern California’s own fresh brand of theater.
The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) production of THE FANTASTICKS at the Pasadena Playhouse is one very good example that with work that can blend and showcase bold new diverse voices and talent with those who are more seasoned, it is an unbeatable combination.
THE FANTASTICKS by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones is directed by Seema Sueko, who directed The Pasadena Playhouse’s critically acclaimed production of Real Women Have Curves last season.
THE FANTASTICKS is a lyrical and romantic musical that tells an allegorical love story about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall. This beloved musical has been seen in over 67 countries and performed in locations ranging from The Peking Opera to The White House.
“We have had a wonderful run of this great American classic musical on our stage. Seema, the cast and the creative team delivered a production that brought new insight, immediacy, and contemporary resonance to this iconic show. Their work has been warmly embraced on every level, and that has led to an enormously successful run with rich mutual rewards for our audiences and our theatre,” Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse said.
THE FANTASTICKS opened on May 3, 1960, and played off-Broadway for 17,162 performances before closing on January 13, 2002, making it the longest running musical in history. It will run at the Pasadena Playhouse through Sunday, Oct. 2. For more information contact: The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or visit PasadenaPlayhouse.org.