Today big news writing abut now “Unveiling the Untold Secrets Behind the Record-Breaking Musical ‘The Fantasticks‘! Exclusive Insights from the Late Tom Jones Himself!”, Tom Jones, the prolific writer of both the book and lyrics for the iconic musical “The Fantasticks,” has passed away at the age of 95, at his residence in Sharon, Connecticut. His son, Michael Jones, confirmed to The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer.
Jones, in collaboration with the late composer Harvey Schmidt, gave life to the timeless musical allegory “The Fantasticks,” which made its debut in 1960 in Greenwich Village and astonishingly held its off-Broadway presence for an astounding 42 years. The musical’s hallmark opening song, “Try to Remember,” remains etched in memory.
Born on February 17, 1928, in Littlefield, Texas, Tom Jones pursued his studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he initially crossed paths with his long-term creative partner, Schmidt.
Following his service during the Korean War, Jones relocated to New York City, embarking on a theatrical journey by crafting material for the revues overseen by impresario Julius Monk. His creative partnership with composer John Donald Robb also bore fruit with the development of “Joy Comes to Deadhorse,” a Western-themed musical loosely inspired by Edmond Rostand’s 1894 play “Les Romanesques.” However, artistic differences with Robb led Jones to unite with Schmidt to nurture the project further, ultimately evolving into the beloved “The Fantasticks.”
In 1959, Jones and Schmidt presented a condensed one-act iteration of their work under the title “The Fantasticks” at a summer festival hosted by Barnard College. Impressed by this showcase, producer Lore Noto propelled the enhanced two-act version to the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village, which officially premiered on May 3, 1960. The inaugural cast boasted Jones himself in the role of Henry, the Old Actor, and Jerry Orbach as El Gallo, the narrator who delivers the soulful “Try to Remember.”
Despite a mixed critical reception, “The Fantasticks” enjoyed an astounding run at Sullivan Street Playhouse, accumulating over 17,000 performances until 2002, cementing its place as the longest-running musical in the history of U.S. theater.
Jones and Schmidt’s artistic collaboration extended beyond “The Fantasticks,” encompassing works like “I Do! I Do!” and “110 in the Shade.” The latter, which debuted on Broadway in 1963, achieved a run of 330 performances. Jones was nominated for Tony Awards for both “I Do! I Do!” and “110 in the Shade,” and his contribution to “The Fantasticks” earned him the 1961 Drama Desk Vernon Rice Award.
In 2006, a revival of “The Fantasticks” was staged, captivating audiences for over 4,300 performances until 2017. This off-Broadway rendition, directed by Jones himself, saw him reprising the role of Henry, the Old Actor.
Tom Jones leaves behind a legacy survived by his sons, Michael and Sam Jones, from his second marriage to choreographer Janet Watson, who passed away in 2016. His enduring impact on musical theater and his role in creating the cherished classic “The Fantasticks” ensure that his memory will resonate through the ages.