The classic Broadway musical, Funny Girl, which tells the story of the rise to success of comic Fanny Brice is set to open on July 8, 2009 and run through July 19, 2009 at The Little Theatre On The Square. Funny Girl is the smash Broadway hit musical based on the life and times of the famous Ziegfield Follies Star. Barbra Streisand originally starred in the role of Fanny Brice. This show brings some of the most classic Broadway tunes to the stage – People, Don’t Rain On My Parade and I Am The Greatest Star.
Funny Girl will feature Jillian Zygo as Fanny Brice. Jillian has impressed audiences with her performances as Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer and Georgie in The Full Monty at The Little Theatre. She has previously won an AriZoni Award for her role in Funny Girl at The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Mesa, AZ. Playing opposite Jillian, as Nick Arnstein, will be Jeffrey Max, who is currently playing Sammy in The Wedding Singer at The Little Theatre. Little Theatre favorite Glory Kissel, plays Fanny’s mother Mrs. Brice. Michael Weaver plays Tom Keeney, the owner of the theatre where Fanny got her first professional break. Eddie Schnecker will be playing the role of Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s first choreographer and best friend. Chelsea Waller plays Emma, Fanny’s dresser. Michael Haws returns to The Little Theatre to appear as Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. J. Michael Zygo will play the Ziegfeld Tenor.
The plot of Funny Girl revolves around comedienne Fanny Brice and her rise to fame in the early 20s. Told mostly in flashbacks, the musical shows Fanny before she is discovered by showman Florenz Ziegfeld, follows her through her first triumph in the Zeigfeld Follies, her marriage to gangster Nick Arnstein, and the break-up of that marriage after Nick finds himself in trouble with the law.
Making up the rest of the cast is Clinton Sherwood, Johnathan White as John, Sam Hay as Adolf, Matt Munson as Snubb Taylor, Zach Gray, Ethan Carpenter, LoriAnn Freda as Mrs. Strakosh, Eleni Kanalos as Vera, Marish Wallace as Jenny, Kira Josephson as Bubbles, Ashley Colon as Maude, Michelle Ogdon, Heather Dore’ Johnson and Melissa Weaver.
Little Theatre artistic director M. Seth Reines serves as director for Funny Girl. The music director for Funny Girl is Linda Slein. Choreography is by Dottie White. Lighting design by Mark Hueske. Nick Shaw is the Scenic Designer for the show. Angelo Torre serves as Properties Designer and Miki McCoy is the Production Stage Manager.
Funny Girl plays at The Little Theatre from July 8-19, 2009. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 217-728-7375.
