The fantasticks
by tom jones

The longest running show in Broadway history, The Fantasticks, tells the story of two young people tricked into love by their parents. Each one then journeys out into the harsh world to learn of life's cruelties only to return with a renewed sense of appreciation for each other.

The highly presentational design of the scenery highlighted the simplicity of the story. The platform upon which the players play is a rough wooden structure forming an endless road which turns and undulates up the back wall into infinity. This represents the journey the young lovers must take in act two, and resonates to the larger journey we all take from youth to adulthood, and ignorance to enlightenment. There is also a large curtain drawn across the downstage area of the platform allowing shadow play and tableau.