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The Fantasticks Returns in a Tender, Elegant Production at The Wick

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Anchored by Commanding Performances and Elegant Staging, The Wick’s Season-Opening The Fantasticks Gently Reminds Audiences Why Some Stories Never Age.

October 18th, 2025

The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton opens its 12th season with its production of The Fantasticks — a timeless fable of love, illusion, and coming of age. Under the direction of Carbonell Award winner Bruce Linser, the company delivers a production that remains faithful to the poetic simplicity and disarming honesty of the original more than 60 years ago.

Opening on May 3, 1960, and closing on January 13, 2002, The Fantasticks ran for 42 years and 17,162 performances, holding the record as the world’s longest-running musical. With music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones, it tells the deceptively simple tale of two neighboring widowers who stage a mock feud to trick their children — Luisa and Matt — into falling in love.

Their plan works until the pair must confront the realities of love beyond the moonlit fantasy. What begins as a fairy tale evolves into a meditation on innocence lost and love rediscovered, rendered through memorably beautiful songs such as “Try to Remember,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” and “Much More.”

Jesse Luttrell, as the handsome, enigmatic narrator El Gallo, anchors the production with a rich baritone voice and commanding stage presence. He smoothly guides the audience through the shifting tones of whimsy and wisdom that define the show.

Brooke DeBeer is a revelation as Luisa, and the show truly belongs to her. She is fully committed to the adolescent intensity of Luisa in love — in love with herself, with Matt, and with the world. Though her voice could be slightly more mature, it is sweet and true, and her acting — energized by the youthful exuberance of the character — is remarkable. Choreographer Ralph Maitzler wisely uses DeBeer’s dance training to enhance her performance, filling her moments onstage with grace and charm.

Gianni Saverio has a lovely voice and brings welcome bravado to Matt, though he lacks some of the unassuming innocence that makes the character the “tender and callow fellow” described in the lyrics.

Adding comedic lift throughout are Troy Stanley and Alan Goodman as the feuding fathers, turning bickering into an art form. Kevin Reilly and Darryl Willis bring broad vaudevillian flair as Henry and Mortimer, the aging actors who stage the lovers’ abduction; Reilly is especially funny in his rambling, semi-senile Shakespearean soliloquies. Matthew Connor Paszkiet, as the Mute, provides a calming presence, orchestrating the action with silent insight and humor.

The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

The live on-stage accompaniment, led by musical director Bobby Peace and highlighted by Kay Kemper on harp, adds warmth that suits Schmidt’s lilting score. Ralph Maitzler’s choreography and Ted DeChatelet’s fight direction make strong use of the available space. The scenic design uses the stage effectively with lush vegetation, various boxes, and tiered levels, though the addition of an abandoned pickup truck in the background mars the timelessness of the piece.

At its core, The Fantasticks is a story about growing up — not only for the young lovers Matt and Luisa, but for anyone who has ever had to reconcile dreams with reality. With this heartfelt production, The Wick Theatre reaffirms its place as one of South Florida’s premier homes for classic musical theatre, and proves that some stories never lose their power to enchant.

Performances run October 9 through November 2, 2025, with matinees at 2 p.m. and evening shows at 7:30 p.m. Tickets and pre-show dining are available at thewick.org or by calling 561-995-2333.

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

  • The Fantasticks at the Wick. photo by Amy Pasquantoniof

Entertainment

Eudēmonia Summit 2025 Brings Wellness, Science, and Soul to West Palm Beach

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From neuroscience to cryotherapy, the Eudēmonia Summit turned flourishing into a full sensory experience. Every corner offered something new to taste, try, or feel.


November 17, 2025

Eudēmonia might be an unfamiliar word, but its meaning is timeless. Flourishing. Living well. Thriving in every sense. And that spirit defined the entire second annual Eudēmonia Summit in West Palm Beach, where science, wellness, and curiosity came together for a weekend that felt both grounding and energizing.

From the moment guests stepped inside the Palm Beach Convention Center, the tone was set. The lighting was warm, the installations thoughtfully designed, and the air carried a calm that encouraged everyone to slow down and simply take it all in. Attendees wandered through the space with a mix of wonder and intention, sampling wellness drinks, speaking with experts, stretching through guided movement zones, and exploring an impressive collection of new health technologies. It felt like stepping into a world where taking care of yourself was the main priority.

The speaker lineup delivered nonstop inspiration. Andrew Huberman translated neuroscience into everyday tools. Amy Shah made gut health refreshingly clear. Dave Asprey drew crowds eager to understand longevity from a practical angle. Dan Buettner brought the joy and storytelling behind the Blue Zones to life. Halle Berry added a touch of movie star brilliance and genuine heart as she shared her personal approach to wellness. Each session felt polished, purposeful, and packed with insights that guests immediately wanted to try at home.

The Exposome floor was the true heartbeat of the event. It buzzed with people rotating between red light therapy, cryotherapy boosts, aromatherapy experiences, meditation pods, hydration bars, and interactive recovery stations. Brands showcased products that blended science with sensory appeal, and guests moved between booths with an easy mix of curiosity and play. Everywhere you looked, someone was discovering something new.

What made the weekend stand out was how natural the sense of community felt. Conversations sparked over tastings, product demos, and shared favorite sessions. People compared wellness readings, swapped recommendations, and connected over a mutual desire to feel better and live with intention. Nothing felt forced or overly formal. Instead, the summit created space for authentic connection and genuine enthusiasm.

At the center of everything was the idea of the exposome, the concept that our daily environment shapes our health far more than we often realize. The food we eat, the stress we carry, the people we interact with, and the choices we make again and again all leave an imprint. Throughout the weekend this idea transformed from theory into something beautifully practical. Guests began seeing small daily habits as powerful tools rather than obligations.

By the end of the summit, attendees walked out with tote bags filled with wellness products and notebooks full of ideas, but more importantly, they left with a refreshed understanding of what it means to truly flourish. The second year of Eudēmonia felt bigger, smarter, and more vibrant than the first, signaling that it is quickly becoming one of the most compelling wellness gatherings in South Florida.

If flourishing had a destination this weekend, it was here.

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Pigs Do Fly Productions Presents Larry Gelbart’s Bittersweet Comedy Better Late

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A Marriage, an Ex-Husband, and a House Full of Unfinished Business Fuel Better Late, the Rare Comedy That Makes You Feel the Weight Behind the Punchlines.

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Water for Elephants at the Broward Center is a Heartfelt Circus Spectacle That Soars

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When Life Feels Like a Moving Train, Water for Elephants Shows How One Leap Can Lead to Aerial Acrobatics, Heartfelt Music, and a Circus Family That Reminds Us Anything Is Possible. (more…)

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Island City Stage Kicks Off Its Season with the Killer Comedy Ruthless! The Musical

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Murder, Music, and Maniacal Talent Collide in Island City Stage’s Outrageous Season Opener, Ruthless! The Musical. (more…)

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The Addams Family Brings Its Macabre Magic to the Kravis Center

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Snap, Shiver and Roar as The Addams Family Brings Fun, Freaks, Kooky Antics and Family Follies. (more…)

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Sing-Alongs and Sunset Views Make Galuppi’s the Hit of Pompano Beach

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Galuppi’s Dueling Pianos Hit All the Right Keys for a Night of Laughs, Music and Waterfront Magic. (more…)

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Something Wicked Casts a Spell at The Parker

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A Symphony of Spells: South Florida Pride Bands Conjure a Halloween Spectacle of Sound, Spirit, and LGBTQ+ Pride at The Parker.
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Epic, Magical and Unforgettable: Life of Pi Leaves Audiences in Awe

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Watch Faith, Humor and Astonishing Puppetry Collide on Stage as Life of Pi Sends Audiences on a Breathtaking Journey Across Imagination and the High Seas.
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