Fantasticks: Betsy Morgan to play the role of 'Luisa'

Betsy Morgan, until recently the understudy for the role of 'Ariel' in Broadway's The Little Mermaid, will join the cast of the Off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks, as 'Luisa,' on 22 Dec 2008. She assumes the role from Margaret Anne Florence, who will play her final performance on 17 Dec 2008.

Morgan comes to The Fantasticks directly from the Pioneer Theater Company's production of 'The Light in the Piazza,' where she played 'Clara.'

The musical is playing at The Snapple Theater Center where it is currently selling tickets through to 30 Nov 2009.

The Fantasticks tells the story of a young boy and girl who fall madly in love at the hands of their meddling fathers, but soon grows restless and stray from one another. Will their separation provide a deeper appreciation for the love they once shared or create a permanent gulf between them?

Featuring the beloved songs "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain," The Fantasticks is a celebration of love -first love, lost love and true love.

The Fantasticks currently stars Lewis Cleale (El Gallo), Nick Spangler (Matt), Gene Jones (Hucklebee), John Thomas Waite (Henry), Steve Routman (Bellomy), Margaret Anne Florence (Luisa), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer), Jordan Nichols (The Mute), Tom Flagg, Richard Roland, Steve Routman (Bellomy), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer), Jordan Nichols (The Mute) and Evy Ortiz.

Produced by Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel and Thomas Viertel, The Fantasticks features scenic and costume design by Ed Wittstein, lighting design by Mary Jo Dondlinger and sound design by Domonic Sack.

This musical love story features music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones. Jones also directs The Fantasticks, which was originally directed by Word Baker.

The musical comedy originally opened at New York's Sullivan Street Playhouse on the 3 May 1960 and played 17,162 performances before closing on the 13 Jan 2002, making it the world's longest running musical.