The first musical produced by Ad Astra, but not a first for Russell. The Fantasticks, which opened Off-Broadway in 1960, is famous for being the longest-running musical of all time, for a total of 42 years. Beyond that, it’s a charming piece of boutique theatre focusing on two young people who grow up as neighbors and end up falling in love. Russell Community Theatre produced the show in the 1980s starring long-time Russell teachers Lori Davidson and the late Jim Balthazor in the main roles.