Steampunk adaptation of 'The Fantasticks' comes to campus

KALAMAZOO—A new steampunk adaptation of the classic musical "The Fantasticks" is coming to Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium at 8 p.m. Friday, March 14.

Purchase tickets online:
millerauditorium.com

A simple romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, their meddling fathers and the wall that divides them, "The Fantasticks" is crafted with charming simplicity, captivating music and whimsy. This timeless tale will ignite imaginations and delight the senses.

The steampunk lens through which the performance plays out is brought to life by director Carl Beck, costume designer Georgiann Regan and scenic designer Jim Othuse. Of the steampunk concept, Beck says, "It's not an intrusive concept." He adds that the story was not rewritten or changed in any way. Outside of the costumes, set and props, the show is, in its entirety, the original.

"It's classical simplicity. It's not a contemporary character tale. It's about a boy who is overly in love with a girl whose fathers are trying to keep them together by pulling them apart," Beck says. "Steampunk seems to lend itself to this story by finding beauty among the broken pieces."

"The Fantasticks," written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, opened off-Broadway May 3, 1960, at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The production went on to play a record-breaking 17,162 performances before closing Jan. 13, 2002, making it the world’s longest-running musical and the longest continuously-running production of any kind in the U.S.

Tickets

"The Fantasticks" at Miller Auditorium is part of the Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series and is welcomed by Meijer. Tickets are on sale now and range from $20 to $35. They can be purchased online at millerauditorium.com, by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 387-2312, or in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.

A 15 percent discount is available to all WMU faculty and staff, and a 50 percent discount is available to WMU students. Discounted tickets may be purchased by phone or in person, and a valid Bronco ID is required at the time of pickup. Group discounts are available at (269) 387-2312.

For more information, contact Bethany Gauthier at bethany.gauthier@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2245.