Funny Girl’ charms
by Bondo Wyszpolski
Published April 3, 2008

Halfway through its run and not yet short on breath, The Prime Time Players’ production of “Funny Girl” at the Norris Theatre makes up in charm what it lacks in youthful vigor and energy. Besides, for an organization that is essentially staging community theater for senior citizens, there’s a sense that the older cast (50 years and up) knows how to relax and enjoy itself.

“Funny Girl” is the sort of rags to riches and in this case duckling to swan story that’s a natural for musical theater. Written by Bob Merill, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Isobel Lennart, it opened in 1964, got lots of Tony nominations, and made a star of Barbra Streisand and a classic song out of “People.”

Semi-biographical, “Funny Girl” follows Broadway-hopeful Fanny Brice (Donna Moore) as she struggles to find her footing under the spotlight. A bit pushy on the one hand and bereft of self-confidence on the other, she’s also blessed with having people who believe in her and people who give her a break – in particular the legendary Florenz Ziegfeld (Charles Machalicky, channeling Eli Broad) with his Ziegfeld Follies.

Early on, however, Fanny has fallen for the debonair Nicky Arnstein (David Fairchild), a gambling man – or risk-taker, if you will – who seems too good to be true. No matter, Fanny follows her heart, and then sees her marriage and her career skid off the embankment. Along the way, Michael Betts’ direction and Orlando Alexander’s choreography keep up the pace, all the way to the bittersweet conclusion (even if it does seem a bit abrupt at the end). And, after all, it’s somewhat refreshing to see a lively musical that doesn’t conclude with a contrived fireworks display (i.e., a flaming song-and-dance ensemble number), but rather with a conclusion that’s more about reflection and the quiet strength to pick up and continue in the face of despair and heartbreak.

The show features a number of songs besides “People,” such as “Coronet Man” (with svelte dancer Lisa Suer), “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” and an especially rousing big production number, “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat.” Dance captain Liz Cantine seems to inspire everyone around her.

The cast is mixed, meaning that some of the actors have been gracing the stage for years while others are taking to it after retirement or after raising a family, but the beauty of it is that they’re not out to wow reviewers or get noticed by the Florenz Ziegfelds of today. If they amuse and entertain their friends, their relatives, and anyone else who lives close by and wants only a short drive for an agreeable performance of live theater, then they’ve done their job. The show won’t make waves, but it does make for a pleasant outing.

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