Much has been written about “The Fantasticks,” whose 42-year run made it the world’s longest-running musical.
A visit to Costa Mesa Playhouse reminds us of the many reasons the show struck a chord with audiences and receives constant revivals: By musicalizing Edmond Rostand’s “The Romancers,” Harvey Schmidt (music) and Tom Jones (book and lyrics) tapped the emotions born of coming of age, falling in love and experiencing both the bitter and the sweet doled out by life.
Wholesome and beguiling, “The Fantasticks” is fanciful and lightly humorous while also dark and bitter. Its timeless and simple (but not simple-minded) story, characters, songs and themes also account for the show’s ongoing durability and success.