Reimagined THE FANTASTICKS will open on Broadway this fall

Directed by Christopher Gatelli and it will play the Hayes/Second Stage! https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/theater/fantasticks-gloria-broadway-second-stage.html

Updated On: 6/3/26 at 01:06 PM

I love The Fantasticks, but I do not see it as a Broadway musical. It is too delicate, too intimate, too romantic, too spiritual. The original direction is essential to the theme of the parable -- the illusions of romance versus the reality of mature love. Decorating the show may tear apart the fabric of Schmidt and Jones' creation. 

This will be the first musical to play the Hayes since DAMES AT SEA in 2015, and the first since Second Stage bought the venue.

Should do okay with the subscriber audience, plus a Hollywood name or two in the cast. 

Updated On: 6/3/26 at 01:28 PM

merle57 said: "I love The Fantasticks, but I do not see it as a Broadway musical.Itis too delicate, too intimate, too romantic, too spiritual. The original directionis essential to the theme of the parable -- the illusions of romance versus the reality of mature love. Decorating the show may tear apart the fabric of Schmidt and Jones' creation."

See before you judge.

Wake me up when it’s over 

EDSOSLO858 said: "This will be the first musical to play the Hayes since DAMES AT SEA in 2015, and the first since Second Stage bought the venue.

Should do okay with the subscriber audience, plus a Hollywood name or two in the cast."

Am I basic to suggest Joe Locke?

HenryTDobson said: "Sorry if this a dumb question..... could the score be eligible for best new score next year since it hasn't been on Broadway yet?"

I think in the past when something is so known and commonly produced, it sometimes ends up being a "revival" even if never on B'way before. 

blaxx said: "See before you judge."

There is no judgment in merle57's post. They make one statement of skepticism: "I do not see it as a Broadway musical". 

They go on to support that statement with opinions I happen to agree with - but that does not imply judgement.

It just means that at this point, both merle57 and I have doubts that "remain to be seen" regarding their resolutions.

Updated On: 6/3/26 at 05:05 PM

I saw this version in Provincetown a few years ago. Hopefully with a different director and professional cast it will be significantly better. 

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "If this were the 1990s or earlier, yes, but not anymore because of the “classics” rule. It will be considered a revival, as it should be.

I believe Jones & Schmidt would have been eligible in the Revival category if they were alive, but since both are deceased the award will go to the show’s producers."

It will definitely be considered a revival and Jones and Schmidt won't be eligible to pick up statues in the "Best Revival" category since they are deceased.  However, it does sound like they significantly reworked this version before they passed, and so I could potentially see this being a case where they end up ruling the updated book (more likely) and\or score (less likely) as eligible, depending on how much truly is new.  They probably won't, but there could at least be a possibility of that happening.

God I’m old. Board members posting they remember seeing it at the Snapple Center.

Geez, I remember seeing it at the Sullivan Street Olayhouse in the Village. 
 

 

I have nothing against this lovely show.

But it seems very clear Broadway doesn’t have money. 

John Adams said: "blaxx said: "Yes, but they are the doubts of purists."

Thatis a judgement."

Still lecturing people on here, I see. Hope this makes you feel superior to everyone, although in reality, no one asked for your prissy little lectures….here, or elsewhere.