Funny Girl The Musical

Theatre and Company's second production, following their rousing inaugural production earlier this year of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, was another smashing hit.

Funny Girl The Musical is the semi-biographical piece based on the life and career of Broadway star Fanny Brice and her fiery relationship with entrepreneur Nick Arnstein.

Fanny Brice, played brilliantly by NIDA graduate and previous “The Voice” contestant Brittanie Shipway, begins as a teen who gets her first vaudeville job. Not being the typical stage beauty, she has her work cut out for her in getting further in show business. Fanny uses her acting and vocal attributes, convincing dancer Eddie Ryan (Brent Dolahenty) to help her with dancing skills. She becomes a lead in director Tom Keeney's Vaudeville show, meeting the charming and suave Nick Arnstein, played with an abundance of both by (Simon Thompson), after a performance. Nick introduces Fanny to Ziegfeld (Jim Mitchell) and the world of the Follies.

Once Fanny and Nick are married they move into a Long Island Mansion, all on Nick's gambling winnings. They later have a daughter, while Fanny becomes a major star in the Follies. Nick gets involved in a shady deal in bonds and loses everything and goes to jail for embezzlement. Nick decides he wants to separate from Fanny after he is released from jail, leaving Fanny heartbroken, but determined to not let it break her and get on with her life.

The show is very entertaining and moves along at a fast pace, including range of tremendous Broadway hit numbers including seven hit songs for Fanny. These include “Don't Rain on My Parade” – made famous by Barbara Streisand in the movie version. Shipway has a perfect voice for the very demanding role and her belt and control were exemplary. It wasn't just Shipway's vocals that were outstanding though, her comedic acting was hilarious, especially in the number “I'm the Greatest Star”.

Dolahenty was the complete showman as Eddie, also showing off his great tap dancing skills, while showing his terrific voice in the number “Who Taught Her Everything”. The friendship between Fanny and Eddie was genuine and credible. Simon Thompson played the cookie cutter role of Nick with style and flair, sharing a highly believable relationship with Shipway’s Fanny. Another noteworthy performance came from Janina Hamerlock, shining as Fanny’s supportive mother Mrs Brice, who wouldn't let a bad word said against her daughter. She had great chemistry with Dolahenty's Eddie in the number “Who Taught Her Everything”.

Director Adam Haynes and choreographer Melissa Ayers both had their work cut out in bringing this large full-scale musical to the intimate Lennox Theatre at Riverside Theatre. Cutting the cast size helped, but the staging and blocking was a work of theatrical genius from Haynes and Ayers. Haynes has drawn brilliant performances from his thoroughly rehearsed cast. The staging meant there wasn't room for much in the way of set, so curtains were used to help change scenes along with some well-made props. Ayers' Choreography was very effective and the cast excelled in all routines, the highlight for me being the second act number “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat”, performed by the Ziegfeld Company and Fanny.

Musical Director Craig M Wood and his 10 piece orchestra sounded spectacular and really had that big band sound. Present onstage in most songs, they added a special element to the overall theatrical experience. The technical elements of the show were mostly outstanding, especially the sound.

Adam Haynes and Theatre and Company have brought this classic musical to life for young theatre goers and produced a memorable night out at the theatre.

James Russell