She soon added a second theater and persuaded producers of "The Fantasticks" to let her run it.

WSJ: Behold: Catherine Russell the off-Broadway force

Brantley gave The Fantasticks a mixed review, but does say he was taken by the authenticity of Jones' performance.

NPR: Old Is New Again on Broadway

In one, she co-produces "The Fantasticks, " the longest-running musical in the world.

WSJ: Behold: Catherine Russell the off-Broadway force

"I think when you try to replicate with such archival exactitude what the original Chorus Line was, or what the original Fantasticks was, perversely, you end up diluting the original impact, " Brantley says.

NPR: Old Is New Again on Broadway