Love Story the Musical opens soon

I went to see Love Story the musical at Chichester earlier this year and really enjoyed the production. So I am much looking forward to its opening at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End when previews start there on 27th November.

I am so pleased that the producers (Michael Ball,  Adam Spiegel and Stephen Waley-Cohen)  decided to keep Michael Xavier and Emma Williams as the leads with Peter Polycarpou reprising his role as Jenny's father Phil as they were all tremendous in those roles.

They are joined by Richard Cordery, Gary Milner, Paul Kemble and ensemble members Lillie Flynn, Christopher Killick, Jamie Muscato and Rebecca Trehearn.

Even though I've seen the film a number of time and read the book so knew what to expect, the production still moved me to tears so make sure you take a hanky if you're planning to see it.

The Fantasticks Posts Closing Notices

The Fantasticks opened at the Duchess Theatre in London’s West End last Wednesday, 9th June and had been previewing for a couple of weeks before that.  It received very mixed notices and opened to poor bookings so the producers Nimax have obviously decided to call it a day and the show closes on 26th June. It had been booking to 5th September.

The Fantasticks has clocked up more than 40 years Off-Broadway, but it has never been successful in the UK running for just a month when it premiered here in 1961. Since then it has had only minor revivals Off-West End - most notably at the King’s Head Theatre in 1996.

Latest Casting News for the Fantasticks

The new production of the Broadway musical the Fantasticks which is due to open at the Duchess Theatre on 9th June (previews from 24th May) has just announced casting details.

Names include Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe and musical theatre stars  David Burt , Hadley Fraser, Lorna Want , Luke Brady as well as leading classical actors Edward Petherbridge and Paul Hunter.

The Fantasticks is about two next door neighbours whose fathers who put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love – on the basis that children always do what their parents forbid!  With parts of the show drawn from Shakespeare’s Pyramus & Thisbe,  Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream the score features numbers including "Much More", "I Can See It" and "Try To Remember".

The Fantasticks opening at Duchess Theatre

A brand new production of the classic musical The Fantasticks is opening at the Duchess Theatre next year.  It is currently booking from 24th May to 4th September 2010.

The Fantasticks first played in New York nearly fifty years ago and is the longest running show of any kind in the United States and the longest running musical in the world.

This production will be Directed by Amon Miyamoto and  designed by  Rumi Matsui who previously worked together on the Broadway production of Pacific Overtures - for which Matsui’s work was nominated for a Tony Award. Lighting design will be provided by 2009 Tony Award winner Rick Fisher.

The Fantasticks is loosely based on the play The Romancers about two next door neighbours whose fathers put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love – on the basis that children always do what their parents forbid.

Elements of the musical are drawn from the story of Pyramus and Thisbe with the story winding its way through Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream and Donizetti’s L'Elisir d'Amore. Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s score features titles including Much More, I Can See It and Try To Remember.