What is the world’s longest-running musical theatre production? Cats? The Phantom of the Opera? Chicago? The Lion King? No, it’s a boutique musical with a poetic book and a breezy, inventive score which has been performed all around the globe – THE FANTASTICKS. The show’s original off-Broadway production ran a total of 42 years and 17,162 performances, making it the world’s longest-running musical.

Whimsical, poignant and romantic, THE FANTASTICKS focuses on two young lovers, their meddling fathers, and the journey we all must take through adolescent thrills, the growing pains of hurt and betrayal, the highs of passion, the challenges of distance and the agonies of heartbreak to discover how to truly love.

Critically acclaimed Wooden Horse Productions (Lovebites) again joins Hayes Theatre Company to bring an exciting new revival of this groundbreaking musical. This new production will be helmed by actress/director Helen Dallimore who has a very fine cast to work with. The team includes Martin Crewes (Sweet Charity), Laurence Coy (High Society, The Drowsy Chaperone), Garry Scale (Hairspray, The Boy From Oz) and recent graduates Bobbie-Jean Henning (WAAPA) and Jonathan Hickey (Qld Conservatorium).

This is the musical with the hit songs Try to Remember and Soon It’s Gonna Rain. It’s no wonder The Fantasticks is the longest-running musical in history. Curtain Up magazine described the show as ‘a dream come true, a total joy.’

There will be two previews of THE FANTASTICKS on Monday 11th January and Tuesday 12th January, opening night is Wednesday 13th January and the show will run until Sunday 31st January. Performance times are Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, Sundays at 5pm and there are matinees every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm except on Wednesday 13th January. Bookings- hayestheatre.com.au or (02) 8065 7337. Tickets from $49.

Sydney Arts Guide has 3 double passes to give away to the performance on the Tuesday  12th January. Be one of the first to email editor.sydneyartsguide@gmail.com.