Try to Remember: The Fantasticks

Opening with star-studded sound bites in the ambient din of a wrap party on the closing night of The Fantasticks's 42-year run, this fond documentary chronicles the history of the memorably minimalist musical comedy (and the longest-running off-Broadway play of all time) from its inception at a Texas college to its final curtain call at the Sullivan Street Playhouse. In-depth interviews feature many current and former cast members (F. Murray Abraham and Law & Order's Jerry Orbach among others) and creators Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, who remain amazed at the success (international productions, a feature film) of their silly, symbolic little love story in which two neighbors manufacture a false feud to fuel star-crossed love between one's son and the other's daughter. Thorough in its scope--covering everything from tepid initial reviews to the scramble for tickets when the end became nigh--Try to Remember is sure to appeal to fans of the theatre. Recommended. [Note: for those who don't need public performance rights, Try to Remember is scheduled to be released on DVD at a lower price this fall.] Aud: C, P. (R. Blackwelder)