The Fantasticks announces full cast

The full cast has been announced for the new production of the musical comedy The Fantasticks.

The musical is to open Off-Broadway at the Snapple Theater Center on the 16 Aug 2006 , following previews from the 29 Jul 2006 (originally announced 28 Jul).

The musical will star Thomas Bruce as Henry, Leo Burmester as Hucklebee, MacIntyre Dixon as Mortimer, Santino Fontana as Matt, Sara Jean Ford as Luisa, James Moye as El Gallo, Douglas Ullman, Jr. as The Mute and Martin Vidnovic as Bellomy.

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 grow 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?

This musical love story features music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones. Jones will also direct 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.

"It just doesn't seem like New York's theater world is complete without The Fantasticks, and we're thrilled to have the opportunity restore it to its rightful place," producer Steven Baruch said.

There has been 11,103 productions of The Fantasticks in over 3,000 cities and towns throughout the United States. Internationally, more than 700 productions have been staged in 68 nations from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

Thomas Bruce -aka Tom Jones (Henry) originated the role of Henry in the original Sullivan Street Playhouse production of The Fantasticks.

Leo Burmester (Hucklebee), was Broadway's original Thenardier in 'Les Miserable', his other Broadway credits includes 'Big River', 'The Civil War', 'Thou Shalt Not', 'Buried Child'.

MacIntyre Dixon (Mortimer) broadway credits incluse such shows as 'Sly Fox', 'Gypsy', '1776', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum', 'The Tempest', 'Beauty & The Beast'.

Santino Fontana (Matt) marks his NYC Debut after just playing the title role in the Guthrie Theater's 'Hamlet'. Sara Jean Form (Luisa) understudied the roles of Glinda and Nessaros in the Chicago production of 'Wicked'.

James moyle (El Gallo) has been seen on Broadway in 'The Full Monty' and 'Urinetown'. Douglas Ullman, Jr (The Mute) recently returned to the United States after playing Rolf in the Asia tour of The Sound of Music. Martin Vidnovic (Bellomy) Broadway credits inlclude 'Footloose', 'The King and I', 'Brigadoon' and Oklahoma!.