Funny Girl

TPC Funny Girl Caroline O'Connor AARTold in flashback, and following the career of one of the brightest entertainers of the American musical theatre, The Production Company presents a new staging of the classic Broadway musical, Funny Girl at Arts Centre Melbourne from 23 July 2013.

Backstage in her dressing room at the New Amsterdam Theatre, where she is a reigning Ziegfeld star, Fanny Brice sits thoughtfully at her dressing table. Tonight her mind is on something more important than the show. Fanny’s husband, debonair gambler Nick Arnstein, returns home after serving time in prison. Now she must make a decision about their future.

Reprising the role she created to critical acclaim for The Production Company in 1999, Caroline O’Connor stars as Fanny Brice, ahead of commencing rehearsals for the Australian premiere season of Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical in Sydney. O’Connor will be joined by David Hobson, who makes his TPC debut as the handsome and debonair gambler, Nick Arnstein.

Returning from Los Angeles is David Ross Paterson to play the role of the great Florenz Ziegfeld, while Australian theatre legend, Nancye Hayes place Mrs. Brice. Joining this stellar lineup are Greg Stone, Susan-ann Walker, Luke Alleva, Judith Roberts, and Jan Russ. Award-winning Director, Gale Edwards leads an outstanding creative team and talented ensemble of some of Australia’s established and emerging artists.

Funny Girl premiered on Broadway in March 1964 at the Winter Garden Theatre, featuring Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice. It later transferred to the Majestic Theatre and The Broadway Theatre, closing in 1967. The original production was nominated for eight Tony Awards and the cast recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. A film adaptation of the musical was released in 1968 starring Streisand alongside Omar Sharif. Streisand won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as well as the Golden Globe.

With a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, the incredible score includes the unforgettable hits, I’m the Greatest Star, I Want to Be Seen with You Tonight, Don’t Rain On My Parade, People, The Music That Makes Me Dance, Who Are You Now? and You Are Woman, I Am Man.

Director: Gale Edwards Featuring: Caroline O’Connor, Nancye Hayes, David Hobson, David Ross Paterson, Greg Stone, Susan-ann Walker, Luke Alleva, Judith Roberts, Jan Russ Musical Director: Anthony Gabriele Choreographer: Kelley Abbey Set Design: Shaun Gurton Costume Design: Tim Chappel and Owen Phillips Lighting Design: Trudy Dalgleish Sound Design: System Sound

Ensemble: Blake Appelqvist, Daniel Assetta, Amy Berrisford, Jared Bryan, Sage Douglas, Danielle Evrat, Ashleigh Hauschild, Sam Hooper, Laura Inglesi, Sophia Katos, Kiara Kieser, Adam Noviello, Cassie O’Brien, Max Patterson, John Reed, Callum Sandercock, Priscilla Stavrou, Suzanne Steele, Brooke Synnott

Funny Girl
State Theatre – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season continues to 31 July 2016
Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

For more information, visit: www.theproductioncompany.com.au for details.

Image: Caroline O’Connor to star in Funny Girl (supplied)