FUNNY GIRL at MSU is an elegant and energetic musical celebrating Fanny Brice's career with its tragedy and triumph. It's a big musical with lots of scenes and characters - the kind that can plod if the many scene changes are slow -- but this production was beautifully directed and choreographed by Broadway Director Devanand Janki and the dance numbers and scene changes flowed like magic. Though the set brought an early 1900's classic look, the pieces floated and rolled and turned creatively to create scene after scene, (set designer Renee Suprenant) The show featured an 8 piece orchestra -- some of whom appeared on stage for "Cornet Man." (Music Director Ryan Mackenzie Lewis.) Orchestra and all were well miked, but a little too loud and shrill for me, at times. The costumes were plentiful and impressive from showgirl outfits to military uniforms (Costume Designer Lane Fragomeli) with 37 actors, I think ALL with multiple costume changes. (whew!)
Performers were all good, led by an impish, powerful, vulnerable, funny Zachera Wallenberg as Fanny Brice. I also particularly liked Jacqueline Wheeler as Fanny's mother and Zev Steinberg as Eddie Ryan. Eric Miller's outstanding tenor voice was showcased in "His Love Makes Me Beautiful." It was also good to see Ken Beachler — our "impresario" of Follies at Riverwalk — appearing as the grand Florenz Ziegfeld.
Funny Girl runs through the rest of the weekend Wed/Thu 7:30 pm; Fri 8 pm; Sat 2 & 8 pm; Sun 2 pm. at the Pasant Theaatre in Wharton Center.Tickets are available at the Wharton Center Box Office (1.800.WHARTON or 1.800.942.7866) More information can be found on the MSU Department of Theatre website: www.theatre.msu.edu
Adult tickets: $20, Senior tickets: $18, Student tickets: $15.
Performers were all good, led by an impish, powerful, vulnerable, funny Zachera Wallenberg as Fanny Brice. I also particularly liked Jacqueline Wheeler as Fanny's mother and Zev Steinberg as Eddie Ryan. Eric Miller's outstanding tenor voice was showcased in "His Love Makes Me Beautiful." It was also good to see Ken Beachler — our "impresario" of Follies at Riverwalk — appearing as the grand Florenz Ziegfeld.
Funny Girl runs through the rest of the weekend Wed/Thu 7:30 pm; Fri 8 pm; Sat 2 & 8 pm; Sun 2 pm. at the Pasant Theaatre in Wharton Center.Tickets are available at the Wharton Center Box Office (1.800.WHARTON or 1.800.942.7866) More information can be found on the MSU Department of Theatre website: www.theatre.msu.edu
Adult tickets: $20, Senior tickets: $18, Student tickets: $15.
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