MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS 'THE FANTASTICKS'

The Old Dominion University Department of Music will present the world's longest-running musical, "The Fantasticks," for three performances Thursday, April 4 through Saturday, April 6 in Chandler Recital Hall of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center. It marks the first time the music department has presented a traditional theatrical musical.

Curtain time is at 8 p.m. for all performances.

Music faculty member Kevin Long is the director, musical director and choreographer for the show. He has collaborated with faculty from the university theatre program for assistance with lighting and set construction. This is their second collaboration this year � Long was the musical director for the theatre program's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar."

"The Fantasticks," which opened at New York's Sullivan Street Playhouse on May 3, 1960, and closed Jan. 13, 2002, after a record 17,162 performances, features the music of Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics of Tom Jones. The musical includes the well-known songs "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "Try to Remember."

On a nearly bare stage, the eight student performers share a modest tale of a boy and a girl and the pain of growing up. The show's program notes call it "a symphony of the human experience which sparkles from its first note to its last as its characters exchange their illusions for a few precious grains of truth."

Seven of the eight cast members are music majors, while the eighth is working on a degree in elementary education.

Tickets are $10 ($5 for Old Dominion students with ID). For reservations call 683-5455.