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Riverland brings long-running musical to Austin

“The Fantasticks” crew is confident its upcoming performance will live up to the show’s name.

The Riverland Community College Theatre Department will put on “the Fantasticks” starting this Friday. The show, considered to be the longest-running musical in the world, carries some heavy expectations with a large reputation.

“It really is just everything that a good old-fashioned musical should be,” said Riverland Director Lindsey Duoos Williams.

The show is a sort of lighthearted “Romeo and Juliet.” Instead of furious families, the two conflicted clans engineered a feud to make sure their children fall in love.

“It’s very theatrical,” said Sam Gustine, who plays El Gallo. “It’s very different from what people are used to here.”

The show carries Riverland significance: “The Fantasticks” was one of Austin Jr. College’s first productions in the 1960s.

“It’s very fitting,” said Faith Snater, who plays Bellomy the father. “It makes you feel like you’re a part of a heritage.”

The show is also significant in that it’s the last production for Riverland mainstays Bradley and Leslie Weber, who helped design sets, lighting and choreography for several years.

“The Fantasticks” opens Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and runs Oct. 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Most shows are at 7:30 p.m., with matinee shows on Oct. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at Riverland’s Box Office. Riverland students get in free with student ID.