John Davidson Returns to THE FANTASTICKS as 'Bellomy' Today

Beloved television, stage, and film actor, John Davidson, will continue his love affair with the world's longest running musical The Fantasticks today, December 1, 2012. Davidson returns this time in the role of Bellomy, the quirky loveable father to Luisa, which marks his third role in The Fantasticks.

John's first experience with The Fantasticks was back in 1964, when he was just 21? years old and starred as Matt (currently played by pop star Aaron Carter) in the HallMark Hall of Fame movie version. After almost fifty years away from The Fantasticks, Davidson joined the current NYC cast at the Snapple Theater Center as Henry, The Old Actor, for a limited engagement in June 2012. Audiences raved about his performance. Davidson reflected back on his run in the show saying, "What a thrill being back on Broadway. But perhaps the greatest part of this NYC experience was the camaraderie with the other actors. Their acceptance and support reminded me of why I love theater so much. Like a family. And returning to a show that I was in 48 years ago, when I played young Matt in the HallMark Hall of Fame TV production was goose bumpy".

Davidson will re-join his Broadway "family" of The Fantasticks to play Bellomy, Luisa's slightly over-protective and lovable father – this time getting to show-off his singing voice. Davidson remarked to fans on his website, "Oh my goodness! I am so excited! I love the show so much and the cast is so talented. Seriously, if you get a chance to take off and come to NYC...don't miss The Fantasticks! It is the classic of American musical theater. And I'll be right there in Times Square!"

About John Davidson Television producer Bob Banner discovered John on Broadway and molded his career in the late 60s. John received The Theater Guild Award for his portrayal of Curly in the Broadway revival of Oklahoma, and he hosted The Kraft Summer Music Hall with regulars George Carlin, Flip Wilson, and Richard Pryor. Banner was also responsible for a Columbia Records contract which led to 13 albums and brought John to the major Las Vegas showrooms (Caesar's Palace, the Las Vegas Hilton, the MGM Grand, and the Desert Inn).

During these years he also began starring in regional theaters, eventually playing Harold Hill in The Music Man, Starbuck in 110 In The Shade, Lancelot in Camelot, Billy in Carousel, I Do I Do, Will in Will Rogers Follies, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Charlie Anderson in Shenandoah, Cervantes in Man Of La Mancha, and Teddy Roosevelt in the one-man show, Bully.

On television John has hosted That's Incredible, The New Hollywood Squares, One Hundred Thousand Dollar Pyramid, The Tonight Show (subbing for Johnny Carson over 80 times, more than any other Guest-host), The John Davidson Daytime Talk Show, and various prime time specials and beauty pageants. He also played Sally Field's husband in the television series The Girl With Something Extra.

John's feature film career began with the Walt Disney musicals The Happiest Millionaire and The One And Only Genuine Original Family Band. These were followed by Airport 80, Edward Scissorhands, and The Squeeze.

A modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, The Fantasticks (music by Harvey Schmidt, book, lyrics, and direction by Tom Jones) is the quintessential story of a boy and girl who fall in love and then quickly grow apart when they realize they want to experience the world. What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming story appropriate for all ages. The score, which includes the hit songs "Try To Remember", "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "They Were You", is as timeless as the story itself.

The Fantasticks company includes triple platinum recording artist Aaron Carter (Broadway's Seussical, Winner of multiple awards including TEEN Choice Awards, Kids Choice Awards, and RTL Young Artist of the Year Award), Ron Bohmer (Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera and The Scarlet Pimpernel), Tom Flagg (The Fantasticks at Sullivan Street, Broadway's Will Rogers Follies, How to Succeed), Heidi Giberson ( National tours of The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof and Cats), Matt Leisy, (St. Louis Rep's The History Boys), Addi McDaniel (Arena Stage, South Coast Rep.), Michael Nostrand (A&E's Emmy Award-winning Peter Pan, national tours of Jelly's Last Jam, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Fantasticks at Sullivan Street Playhouse), Richard Roland (Broadway's Thoroughly Modern Millie, Follies and The Scarlet Pimpernel) and Dan Sharkey (Broadway's The Music Man, Show Boat).

The Fantasticks is produced by Pat Flicker Addiss, Al Parinello and Catherine Russell. The Fantasticks plays at The Jerry Orbach Theater in the Snapple Theater Center, 210 West 50th Street at Broadway.

Tickets to The Fantasticks are priced at $76.50 and can be purchased by calling the box office at (212) 921-7862, by logging onto Ticketmaster.com, or by visiting the Snapple Theater Center box office at 210 West 50th Street at Broadway. A limited number of premium front row seats are available for each performance priced at $126.50.

The Fantasticks plays at The Jerry Orbach Theater in the Snapple Theater Center, 210 West 50th Street at Broadway. The box office phone number is (212) 921-7862. For more information, visit www.SnappleTheater.com.

The performance schedule is as follows: Mondays at 8PM, Tuesdays at 8PM, Wednesdays at 2PM, Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM & 8PM and Sundays at 3PM & 7:30PM. For more about the show, go to www.FantasticksOnBroadway.com.

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