Archive · 7 Jan 2026
The Fantasticks Reimagined as Gay Love Story for Broadway
The Fantasticks, a very old and famous musical, is being changed for Broadway.
This time, the love story is about two boys instead of a boy and a girl.
The parents in the story are now mothers instead of fathers.
The musical has a new book and lyrics by Tom Jones, who passed away in 2023.
It was first shown in 2022 and will now be on Broadway.
The director and choreographer is Christopher Gattelli, who has won a Tony Award.
The musical has a lot of famous songs, like 'Try to Remember', which have been sung by many famous singers.
The new production will have new music arrangements and stage design.
The casting and performance dates will be announced later.
The Fantasticks is being reimagined as a contemporary gay love story for Broadway.
The central romantic pair, traditionally Matt and Luisa, are now Matt and Lewis, with the original pair of fathers replaced by mothers.
The adaptation features a revised book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, completed before Jones' death in 2023.
The adaptation was first presented in 2022 at Flint Repertory Theatre and continued its development at several other theaters.
The production will feature new orchestrations by Sam Davis and scenic design by Jason Sherwood, with Christopher Gattelli directing and choreographing.
- Who
- The Fantasticks, a classic musical, is being reimagined as a contemporary gay love story for Broadway.
- What
- The central romantic pair, traditionally Matt and Luisa, are now Matt and Lewis, with the original pair of fathers replaced by mothers.
- When
- The adaptation was first presented in 2022 and will be produced on Broadway in the coming months.
- Where
- The adaptation was first presented at Flint Repertory Theatre in Flint, MI, and continued its development at several other theaters including Provincetown Playhouse in Provincetown, MA, and Coachella Valley Repertory in Cathedral City, CA.
- Why
- The adaptation reinterprets the story's allegory of love, longing, and reconciliation through a gay lens, with revised book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt.
- Original Premiere Date
- May 3, 1960
- Original Run Duration
- 42 years
- Original Cast Members
- Jerry Orbach, Rita Gardner, Kenneth Nelson
- Director and Choreographer
- Christopher Gattelli
- Producers
- Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, Daryl Roth, True North Theatricals
- New Orchestrations
- Sam Davis
- Scenic Design
- Jason Sherwood
- Adaptation First Presented
- Flint Repertory Theatre, 2022