The Fantasticks: John Davidson to return as Bellomy

John Davidson is to return to the company of the Off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks on 1 Dec 2012, starring as 'Bellomy.'

Davidson, who starred as 'Matt' in the 1964 Hallmark Hall of Fame version of The Fantasticks, recently played a summer engagement in the Off-Broadway production as 'Henry.'

Davidson's appeared on Broadway in the musical comedies 'Foxy' (1964) and 'State Fair' (1996), and Off-Broadway he starred in 'High Infidelity' (2000). He is best known for hosting the TV game shows 'That's Incredible!,' 'Time Machine,' and 'Hollywood Squares' in the 1980s, and a revival of 'The $100,000 Pyramid'in 1991.

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 Fantasticks is a celebration of love - first love, lost love and true love.

The Fantasticks currently features Bill Bateman (Bellomy), Aaron Carter (Matt), MacIntyre Dixon (Henry), Ron Bohmer (Narrator - El Gallo), Matt Leisy (The Mute), Addi McDaniel (Luisa), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer) and Dan Sharkey (Hucklebee).

Produced by Terzetto LLC and Pat Flicker Addiss, 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 production.

The musical comedy, directed by Word Baker, 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 opened at the Snapple Theater Center's Jerry Orbach Theater on 16 Jun 2006, where it is currently selling tickets through to 16 Dec 2012.