JONES & SCHMIDT, The Fantasticks – Strasbourg

JONES & SCHMIDT – Les Fantasticks (Strasbourg)

Author: Catherine Jordy

A poetic and brilliantly staged revival of a Broadway classic

The Opéra national du Rhin brings back to the stage the beloved production of The Fantasticks, presented this season in Alain Perroux’s French adaptation of the original book by Tom Jones. Known as the longest-running musical in Broadway history, this intimate work finds a remarkably fitting home in the Strasbourg production, crafted with charm, precision, and theatrical ingenuity.

Under the lively and imaginative direction of Myriam Marzouki, the staging embraces a minimalist yet poetic approach. A handful of cleverly used props—a cardboard moon, confetti transforming into rain or snow, subtle visual cues—creates an evocative world that feels both playful and deeply atmospheric. Rather than relying on elaborate sets, the production celebrates the power of suggestion, allowing imagination to shape the story’s whimsical universe.

The scenography enhances this delicate balance between simplicity and richness. Each element serves the narrative with clarity and purpose, evoking the tradition of itinerant theatre while maintaining a refined contemporary aesthetic. Supported by the vivid musical presence of a pianist and harpist, who sustain the performance throughout, the production captures the spirit of the original Broadway format, where minimal means give rise to maximum emotional impact.

Inspired by Edmond Rostand’s Les Romanesques, the plot revisits the timeless themes of young love, deception, and discovery. Two neighboring families erect a wall and pretend to despise each other, knowing their children will do the opposite of what they are told. The result is a charming and spirited tale where fantasy meets innocence, carried by a cast of young performers from the Opéra Studio whose energy and professionalism bring fresh life to this classic.

Eduard Ferenczi Gurban – charismatic and irresistibly engaging

“As an engaging and slightly world-weary bandit, the Romanian-Hungarian baritone Eduard Ferenczi Gurban immediately charms his audience with his ‘Souvenir tendre’ (Try to remember), sung with a pleasantly placed voice enhanced by a nonchalant charisma.”

Source: Catherine Jordy, Les Fantasticks – Strasbourg
Photo credits: Klara Beck