TCU’s co-production of “The Fantasticks”  will open Saturday at Circle Theatre in downtown Fort Worth.

Since 1981, Circle Theatre has been presenting “professional, contemporary and innovative productions in its intimate 125-seat setting,” Rose Pearson, Circle Theatre’s executive director, said.

Theatre Professor Harry Parker, who is directing the show, said Circle Theatre is one of the most successful theaters in the Fort Worth area.

The production’s cast and crew is a good mixture of school and professional, he  said.

The show will feature three student cast members, Sophie Smith, Anthony Fortino  and Alison Hodgson, and four faculty members.

Parker will be joined by Alan Shorter as the musical director, Brian Clinnin  as the costume designer and Jennifer Engler  as the choreographer.

“The Fantasticks” is one of the most beloved musicals of all time, he said.

The show  won the Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre in 1992 and is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “longest theatrical run of a musical,” according to the book’s website.

Parker said “The Fantasticks” is a story about a boy and a girl, their meddling fathers and young love. The musical is simple, but charming and very funny, Parker said.

He said he had never produced the play before, but had always wanted to and is looking forward to opening night.

Smith, a sophomore theatre major, said she was very excited about the show.

She said the combination of the TCU family and the Circle Theatre family is a wonderful dynamic.

Fortino, a freshman accounting and theatre double major, said this is his first professional production.

Initially, it was intimidating working with Hogdson, a senior, and other professionals, he said, but over time, the experienced cast members overlooked his age and saw him as family.

“They don’t look at me like a freshman,” Fortino  said.

Fortino  said he was excited to get professional exposure.

“[The production] has definitely been a rewarding experience,” he said.

Students can receive a “deep discount” from the Circle Theatre of $10, Parker said.

In Parker’s nine years at TCU, this is his third co-production with Circle Theatre.

He said many TCU students and alumni have interned, worked or interacted with the theatre.

The co-production “enables [the theatre department] to use some of the area’s finest veteran actors in the same company with talented young students,” Parker said.

“It is a pleasure to reconnect with Theatre TCU to co-present our upcoming production of ‘The Fantasticks’,” Pearson said. “Each experience as co-producers proved that combining our resources leads to both successful theater productions and an inspiring educational experience for everyone involved.”

Visit the Circle Theatre website for information about its productions and tickets.

Where:  Circle Theatre
When: Sept. 22 – Oct. 22
Previews: Sept. 22, 23, 24 (matinee)
Opening: Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.
Shows: Thursdays at 7 p.m. Fridays at 8 p.m. Saturdays at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Tickets:
Thursday Evening Preview: $15
Saturday matinee: $15
Preview Friday evening: $20
Opening Saturday Night: $35