The Fantasticks — the World's Longest-Running Musical — Makes Its Broadway Debut

The Fantasticks began Broadway preview performances on October 22, 2026, at the Hayes Theater (240 W. 44th St.), marking the world's longest-running musical's first-ever appearance on Broadway after 66 years of existence, 42 of them in its legendary Off-Broadway run from 1960 to 2002. The new production is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli and reimagines the show's central romantic pair: the traditional Matt and Luisa become Matt and Lewis, recasting the love story through a gay lens. The script was revised before the death of original lyricist and book writer Tom Jones in 2023, with music by Harvey Schmidt. The cast features Zane Phillips, Maxim Chlumecky, Nathan Levy, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer. The Hayes Theater, Broadway's most intimate venue at 597 seats, hosts the limited engagement running through February 7, 2027, with opening night set for November 16. Classic songs include "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain."