Texas-born co-creator of ‘The Fantasticks’ dies

NEW YORK—Harvey Schmidt, the composer of “The Fantasticks,” which made its debut when Dwight D. Eisenhower was still president and became the longest running musical in history, has died. He was 88.

His death on Wednesday was confirmed by Dan Demello, a publicist for the off-Broadway show.

Schmidt teamed up with lyricist, director and storywriter Tom Jones on “The Fantasticks” as well as the Broadway shows “110 in the Shade” and “I Do! I Do!” Both men were inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1998.

“Try to Remember,” the best-known song of “The Fantasticks,” has been recorded by hundreds of artists over the decades including by Ed Ames, Harry Belafonte, Barbra Streisand and Placido Domingo. “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” and “They Were You” are also among the musical’s most recognized songs.

The musical, based on an obscure play by Edmond Rostand, doesn’t necessarily have the makings of a hit. The set is just a platform with poles, a curtain and a wooden box.

The tale, a mock version of “Romeo and Juliet,” concerns a young girl and boy secretly brought together by their fathers and an assortment of odd characters, including a rakish narrator, an old actor, an Indian named Mortimer and a mute.

Schmidt, who came to New York from Dallas, wrote the melody of “Try to Remember” in 5 minutes. Schmidt told Michael Riedel in his book “Razzle Dazzle,” that he had rented a rehearsal room in the Steinway Building because he couldn’t afford to own a piano.