Western Playhouse, the summer theatre company at Missouri Western State University, presents “The Fantasticks” July 10-18 in the Kemper Recital Hall inside Spratt Hall on the Missouri Western campus. Show times are 7:30 p.m. July 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Tickets may be purchased in advance in person at the Western Institute inside Spratt Hall, by phone at 816-271-4452, or online at www.westernplayhouse.com.

“The Fantasticks” is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. The narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart, and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that “without a hurt, the heart is hollow.”

“The Fantasticks” is directed by Trevor Belt, a Kansas City-based director and actor. Cast members include:

Hucklebee – TJ Lancaster

Bellomy – Ken Remmert

El Gallo – Erik Angerhofer

Luisa – Carly Hayes

Henry – Clayton Avery

Matt – Caleb Hazelwood

Mortimer – Jacob Mills

Mute – Amber Anaya

Belt, Lancaster and Remmert are members of the Actors’ Equity Association.

Tickets cost $22.50 for adults; $9.50 for the first two children then $1 for each additional child; and $20 for seniors 65 and older. Discounts are available for groups, Missouri Western faculty and staff, and college students.

“The Fantasticks,” with book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.