The Fantasticks: Dan Sharkey plays Hucklebee

Dan Sharkey joins the cast of the Off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks on 28 Feb 2011, assuming the role of 'Hucklebee' from Gene Jones who played his final performance on 20 Feb 2011.

This marks Sharkey's fifth appearance in a production of The Fantasticks. On Broadway he appeared in 'The Music Man' (cast recording) and 'Show Boat.' National touring credits include Keith Carradine's stand-by for the title role in 'The Will Rogers Follies,' 'The Sound of Music 'with Marie Osmond, 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' with The Fantasticks' current 'El Gallo' Edward Watts, and 'Grand Hotel.' Off Broadway credits include 'Captains Courageous' (MTC), 'The Prince and the Pauper,' 'Lone Star Love' (cast recording), 'Ilyria' and 'The Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge '(cast recording). Regional appearances include the title role in 'Sweeney Todd' at the Guthrie Theater, Walnut Street Theater, Long Wharf, ATL, Paper Mill Playhouse and Lyric Theater OKC.

The Fantasticks tells the story of a young boy and girl who fall madly in love at the hands of their meddling fathers, but soon grows restless and stray from one another. Will their separation provide a deeper appreciation for the love they once shared or create a permanent gulf between them?

The Fantasticks opened at the Snapple Theater Center's Jerry Orbach Theater on 16 Jun 2011, where it is currently booking through to 4 Sep 2011.

Featuring the beloved songs "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain," The Fantasticksis a celebration of love - first love, lost love and true love.

The Fantasticks now features Edward Watts (El Gallo), Matt Leisy (Matt), Bill Bateman (Bellomy), Juliette Trafton (Luisa), Dan Sharkey (Hucklebee), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer), MacIntyre Dixon (Henry) and Matt Dengler (The Mute).

Produced by Terzetto LLC, Pat Flicker Addiss and MARS Theatricals, The Fantasticks features scenic and costume design by Ed Wittstein, lighting design by Mary Jo Dondlinger and sound design by Domonic Sack.

This musical love story features music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones. Jones also directs The Fantasticks, which was originally directed by Word Baker.

The musical comedy originally opened at New York's Sullivan Street Playhouse on the 3 May 1960 and played 17,162 performances before closing on the 13 Jan 2002, making it the world's longest running musical