Tom Jones, the brilliant mind behind the beloved musical “The Fantasticks,” has sadly passed away at the age of 95. He died at his home in Sharon, Conn., after a battle with cancer.
“The Fantasticks,” which debuted in 1960 in Greenwich Village, is best known for its iconic opening song, “Try to Remember.” Jones began his theater career in New York, collaborating with composer John Donald Robb on revues produced by Julius Monk.
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Jones and Robb initially worked on a show called “Joy Comes to Deadhorse,” which they staged at the University of New Mexico. However, they had a falling out, leading Jones to team up with his friend Harvey Schmidt.
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Jones and Schmidt continued to work on their musical, which eventually became “The Fantasticks.” The show featured a narrator and minimalist staging, deviating from the typical Broadway formula.
Despite mixed reviews, “The Fantasticks” became a massive success, running for over 17,000 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse until its closure in 2002. It holds the record for the longest-running musical in U.S. history.
Jones and Schmidt went on to collaborate on other shows, including “110 in the Shade” and “I Do! I Do!” Both productions received Tony Award nominations.
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While Jones had many successes throughout his career, nothing could compare to the enduring legacy of “The Fantasticks.” The show was revived in 2006 and ran for over 4,300 performances in Manhattan.
Jones is survived by his sons Michael and Sam from his second marriage to choreographer Janet Watson. He will be greatly missed in the theater community and beyond.
