The Fantasticks: Kimberly Whalen plays 'Luisa'

Kimberly Whalen, recently seen in Texas Lyric Stage's productions of 'West Side Story' as 'Maria' and 'Carousel' as 'Julie,' joined the cast of the Off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks on 5 Nov 2009, playing the role of 'Luisa'. She replaces Addi McDaniel, who played her final performance on 18 Oct 2009.

The musical is playing at The Snapple Theater Center where it is currently selling tickets through to 10 Jan 2010.

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 now features Lewis Cleale (El Gallo), Jonathan Schwartz (Matt), Gene Jones (Hucklebee), MacIntyre Dixon (Henry), Steve Routman (Bellomy), Kimberly Whalen (Luisa), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer), Tom Flagg, Richard Roland, Michael Nostrand (Mortimer), Douglas Ullman, Jr. (The Mute) and Evy Ortiz.

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