The Fantasticks: Aaron Carter plays 'Matt' from 7 Nov 2011

Recording Artist Aaron Carter, who first came to fame in the late nineties is to join the cast of the Off Broadway production of The Fantasticks from 7 Nov 2011.

Carter will play the role of 'Matt,' a rebellious young romantic who becomes restless, goes out into the world and discovers that with love comes responsibility, with independence comes danger, and with maturity comes happiness. He succeeds Matt Leisy, who will remain with the company in the role of 'The Mute.'

"I am a young person who has already lived a full life," said Aaron Carter. "In many respects my journey has been similar to my character's: like Matt, I'm a young man who has grown up and discovered what's truly important, using my life experience to become the person I always knew I was meant to be. I am so happy to be performing in this incredible show with such a talented group of professionals."

Carter began his music career at age seven, singing lead for the band "Dead End". Two years later he made his first solo appearance when he was nine, opening for the "Backstreet Boys" at their concert in Berlin Germany, March 1997. The performance was followed by a record contract and, in the fall of 1997, Carter released his first hit single, "Crush On You".

Carter has released four albums: 'Aaron Carter' (1997), 'Aaron's Party (Come Get It)' (2000), 'Oh Aaron (2001) and 'Earth Quake (2002.). He made his Broadway debut in 'Seussical' (JoJo - replacement) in 2001. 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?

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 currently features Bradley Dean (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 The Fantasticks is playing at The Snapple Theater Center's Jerry Orbach Theater where it is currently selling tickets through to 1 Apr 2012.