Musical Legend Tom Jones, the ingenious mind behind The Fantasticks, the record-holding musical that captured hearts for an astounding 42 years, has sadly left us at the age of 95.
Jones, who masterfully penned both the book and lyrics for the timeless production, passed away at his residence in Sharon, Conn. His son, Michael, revealed that the cause of his passing was a brave battle against cancer, as reported by The New York Times.
Born on February 17, 1928, in Littlefield, Tex., Jones pursued his passion for drama at the University of Texas, where destiny brought him together with his lifelong collaborator, Harvey Schmidt. This dynamic duo crafted numerous notable musicals together, including 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, and Celebration. However, their crowning achievement was undoubtedly The Fantasticks.
Originally dubbed Joy Comes to Dead Horse, Jones and composer John Donald Robb embarked on a unique twist on Romeo and Juliet. Their creative journey resulted in an adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s The Romancers, a tale of love between a Caucasian boy and a Latin girl named Maria. Initial attempts saw a college production, but the emergence of Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story with a comparable storyline seemed to doom Jones’ project.
Yet, Jones persevered and reimagined the musical, this time collaborating with Schmidt as the composer. They reshaped the narrative, introducing a narrator and shedding the extravagant costumes, sets, and effects. The result was a minimalist one-act rendition of the saga, which later expanded into a two-act masterpiece. The musical found its home at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York City’s Greenwich Village, featuring renowned names like Liza Minnelli, Kristin Chenoweth, and more in its Off Broadway and touring productions.
The enchanting storyline traced the poignant journey of young love, separation, and eventual reunion. The Off Broadway debut carved a remarkable legacy, tallying over 17,000 performances across 42 years, a feat unmatched in the history of musicals. This achievement led to the musical receiving the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 1991, and Jones’ own induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1998.
Jones often mused about his and Schmidt’s steady ascent to triumph. Although initial reviews for The Fantasticks were mixed, the musical’s staying power was undeniable. Reflecting on its inception, he shared, “We really struggled the first summer… And then it was a year, and we did the television thing. We went to London, we got our first Broadway show… suddenly, we had a lot of money coming in.” The musical’s popularity even extended to Beijing, where they witnessed a Mandarin production.
The Fantasticks continued its legacy with countless regional and community theater renditions, along with a film adaptation in 2000. The Off Broadway revival from 2006 to 2017 was yet another testament to the enduring allure of Jones’ creation. As we bid farewell to this musical genius, we remember his extraordinary contributions that have woven themselves into the very fabric of theatrical history.
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