Menu
The Fantasticks was originally created in 1960 with music by Harvey Schmidt with book and lyrics by Tom Jones. It tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the 1894 play The Romancers (Les Romanesques), concerning two neighboring parents who trick their children into falling in love by pretending to feud. The original production closed in 2002. In 2022, the revival was an LGBTQIA+ focused rewrite featuring two young gay men, Matt and Lewis, at the center of the story, instead of a young man and woman (the original characters were Matt and Luisa). It remains the longest running musical production worldwide.
The message of the Fantasticks remains unchanged while the characters embody a broader representation. Matt and Lewis lead the audience through a story that remains focused on the complexity of life – and while it is full of obstacles, it is possible for people to persevere and find their way.
Tri-Cities Opera is thrilled to bring the beloved tale of The Fantasticks to Southern Tier audiences. The rewritten version brings purposeful representation to our stage while furthering our mission of telling meaningful stories and making opera for everyone!
Book & Lyrics by Tom Jones and Music by Harvey Schmidt, the production is performed in English.
Join us as we present this love story on the evening of Friday, February 9th AND Saturday, February 10th as well as a matinee performance on Sunday, February 11th at the Tri-Cities Opera Center.
Approximately 2 Hours with ONE intermission.
Performed in English with English supertitles
The Tri-Cities Opera Center, 315 Clinton Street, Binghamton, NY, 13905
El Gallo
Lewis
Matt
Mildred (Matt's Mother)
Bessie Mae (Lewis' Mother)
Henry
Mortimer
The Mute
Conductor/Pianist
Director
315 Clinton Street
Binghamton, New York 13905
Phone: (607) 729-3444
Box Office: (607) 772-0400
We recognize the indigenous peoples whose land Tri-Cities Opera’s facilities were built on. This land has been sustainably stewarded throughout generations by Haudenosaunee and Algonkian speaking peoples. We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these peoples and nations and this land.
Tri-Cities Opera is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Productions are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. General Operating Support is provided to Tri-Cities Opera by grants from the Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation, the United Cultural Fund of the Broome County Arts Council, and the Community Foundation for South Central New York.
