Rita Gardner, who in a long cabaret theater career earned a place in stage history in 1960, when she originated the role of Luisa in the musical “The Fantasticks,” died on Sept. 24 in Manhattan. She was 87.

Ms. Gardner was in her mid-20s and not particularly well known when she responded to an audition notice for “The Fantasticks.” She sang the song she had once used to win an “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts” contest, “Over the Rainbow.” She got the part. The show ran for 42 years, eight of them with Rita Gardner.