Set in the opulent world of Broadway’s early years, CenterStage’s Funny Girl, presented by Platinum Travel and Lions of Judah, and tells the story of famed comedienne, Fanny Brice. She clowns her way up and through vaudeville, on her way to becoming Ziegfeld’s “Greatest Star.” No honeymoon lasts forever, and soon Fanny finds her herself having to choose between a career she adores and the husband she loves but who resents her success.
The show opens on January 26 and runs through February 12 in the Linker Auditorium at the Jewish Community Center. Tickets are $20-22 in advance or $22-24 at the door and can be purchased by calling 502-238-2709 or online at www.CenterStageJCC.org.
Funny Girl features music by Julie Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and is based on the book by Isobel Lennart. The show ran for more than 1300 performances on Broadway and was nominated for eight Tony Awards. The original production starred Barbara Steisand. She was joined on stage by Sydney Chaplin, Kay Medford and Jean Stapleton.
CenterStage Artistic Director, John R. Leffert, is thrilled to bring the Broadway gem to CenterStage. “Funny Girl is one of those classic quintessential, Broadway musicals with which I grew up watching and one among a few I give credit for doing what I do. The music is brilliant and holds a certain nostalgia for many people. Funny Girl has everything. Don’t get me wrong, directing Funny Girl is a daunting task for any director, but with a star like Jennifer Poliskie leading an amazing ensemble cast, I know we will rise to the challenge!”
For the CenterStage production, Jennifer Poliskie will shoulder the task of filling Streisand’s shoes as Fanny Brice. CenterStage veterans Rusty Henle (Nick Arnstein), Frank Goodloe III (Eddie Ryan), Glenna Godsey (Mrs. Brice), John Youngblood (Florenz Zigfeld Jr.) and Barbara Myerson Katz (Mrs. Strakosh) will join Poliskie on stage.
There are only two more shows in CenterStage’s 16/17 season. Disney’s Mary Poppins runs March 16-April 2, 2017 and Sondheim on Sondheim follows May 11-21, 2017. Season subscriptions are still available. Subscribers receive priority seating, save 20% on the price of tickets and receive discounts to other J Arts & Ideas events. People can subscribe by contacting The J at 502-238-2709 or online at www.CenterStageJCC.org.
