The Pittsburgh Public Theater begins its 42nd season September 29 with the classic Tom Jones-Harvey Schmidt musical The Fantasticks. Directed by Ted Pappas, performances continue through October 30 at the O’Reilly Theatre. October 7 will be the official opening night.

The cast features Jamen Nanthakumar (Matt) and Mary Elizabeth Drake (Luisa). As their meddling fathers are Daniel Krell (Bellomy) and Gavan Pamer (Hucklebee). Bringing great theatricality to the show are the dashing narrator, El Gallo (Josh Powell); The Mute (Jason Shavers); Mortimer, known as The Actor Who Dies (Tony Bingham) and Henry, The Old Actor (Noble Shropshire).

Douglas Levine is music director on a team that includes James Noone (scenic design), Amy Clark (costume design), Kirk Bookman (lighting design) and Zach Moore (sound design).

The Fantasticks’ musicians include Marissa Knaub Avon, bassist Justin Bendel and percussionist R.J. Heid.

The lyrical and romantic musical The Fantasticks tells the story of a boy and girl who live next door to one another and fall in love despite the wall that keeps them apart. With music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones, it is the longest-running musical in history and continues to play Off-Broadway at the Jerry Orbach Theatre at the Theater Center.

For tickets, visit ppt.org. Pittsburgh Public Theatre is located at 621 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222.