The Fantasticks: Matt Leisy plays 'Matt' from 6 Dec

Matt Leisy, who currently plays 'The Mute' in the Off Broadway production of The Fantasticks, will take over the role of 'Matt' on 6 Dec 2010. Matt Dengler, fresh from the Broadway cast of 'A Little Night Music,' will assume the role of 'The Mute.' Erik Altemus, who currently plays 'Matt,' will play his final performance on 5 Dec 2010.

Matt Leisy's New York credits include productions at The York, NYMF and many readings and workshops. Regional credits include 'Scripps' in 'The History Boys' (St. Louis Rep), 'Young Scrooge' in Alan Menken's 'A Christmas Carol' (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), 'Mordred' in 'Camelot' (Pennsylvania Centre Stage), 'Great Expectations' (Mill Mountain Theater), 'Oliver!' (Westchester Broadway), 'The Sound of Music' (Broadway Asia) and 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (Charleston Stage).

Matt Dengler understudied the role of 'Henrik' in the Broadway revival of 'A Little Night Music.' Other credits include 'Little Miss Sunshine' (Dwayne Hoover) directed by James Lapine, 'Babes in Toyland' at Lincoln Center (Alan) and Forestburgh Playhouse's 'Les Miserables' (Marius) and 'High School Musical' (Ryan Evans).

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 Edward Watts (El Gallo), Erik Altemus (Matt), MacIntyre Dixon (Henry), Gene Jones (Hucklebee), Matt Leisy (The Mute), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer), Bill Bateman (Bellomy) and Juliette Trafton (Luisa).

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 Apr 2011.