Original Cast of The Fantasticks

(Original Caption) The Original 1960 Cast Of The Fantasticks: Jerry Orbach (El Gallo, the bandit-narrator), top; Center row, from left: Hugh Thomas (the Girl's father), Rita Gardner, (The Girl), William Larsen, (The Boy's Father); Bottom row, from left: Richard Stauffer (The Mute), Kenneth Nelson (The Boy), George Curley (The Cockney Indian). The other two members of the original cast not pictured are Thomas Bruce (who was actually Tom Jones, the lyricist and librettist of The Fantasticks), creator of the role of the Old Shakespearean actor, and Jay Hampton, as the Handyman, a bit part that was written out of the show shortly after it opened. The Fantasticks opened May 3, 1969 at the Sullivan Street Playhouse and at the same theater it will celebrate its 14th anniversary this May 3, (1974), and the beginning of its 15th year.