The Fantasticks

“Try To Remember” a time when this romantic charmer wasn’t enchanting audiences around the world. The Fantasticks is the longest-running musical in the world and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. The result is a timeless fable of love that manages to be nostalgic and universal at the same time.

The Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. The narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that, “without a hurt, the heart is hollow.”

This production was produced in honor of Russ Johnson, a tremendous Drama Teacher that taught us to love and live… and do a little theatre (in a little theatre!) too!

Director’s Note:

The Fantasticks is about the illusions we have about life and learning that the reality of life can be even more beautiful! I have loved directing this production with this cast; each individual means so much to me and sharing this time with them has been a joy! I’m also so grateful to have this opportunity to honor my mentor, Russ. Thank you for coming and celebrating this amazing man with us! And now… enjoy The Fantasticks!

~Toni Butler
Director, The Fantasticks

Ode to Russ:

Russ Johnson taught High School Theatre for 30 years at Kearns High and Taylorsville High. “Theatre has been my life. It has given me the chance to do what I love with people I love. The gift that actors bring to their audience is so amazing and rare.” His favorite thing about teaching was “the kids… handsdown!”. He fell in love with The Fantasticks the first time he saw it (Off-Broadway). “It is a story that appeals to all age groups and all types of people.” He has directed The Fantasticks four times! He is the proud father of 4 children and grandpa of 16 grandchildren. And he is a Disney and Scotland Fanatic! We love you, Russ! Thank you for giving us the gift of theatre in our lives!

Check out this sweet article in the Deseret News! (Thank you, Deseret News!) #Love4Russ