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John Garcia's THE COLUMN-Monday, October 11, 2010

THEATER REVIEW

FUNNY GIRL

music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill
book by Isobel Lennart

Through October 17, 2010
Musical Theatre of Denton, Campus Theatre

Director/Set Designer: Clay White
Assistant Director/Lighting Designer: Chris Hatcher
Music Director: Becky King
Conductor: Ludwig Carrasco
Choreographer: Anne Black-Scalf
Costume Design: Audrey Lewis
Vocal Director: Becky King
Producers: Liz Seibt and Gerald Young

CAST:

Fanny Brice - Rachel Robertson
Nick Arnstein - Tyler Donahue
Emma - Linda Wallace
Eddie - Alex Rodriguez
Mrs. Brice - Ashley Crouch
Mrs. Strakosh - Pete Kelly
Mrs. O'Malley - Kelly Weathers
Mrs. Meeker/Follies Dancer #1 - Casey Bryan
Bubbles/Follies Dancer #2 - Hannah Myatt
Maude/Follies Dancer #3 - Jaclyn Butt
Polly/Follies Dancer #4 - Kate Bailey
Mimsey/Keeney Dancer - Sarah Goocher
Jenny - Kate Morales
Vera - Kelsey Macke
Cathy - Katie Williams
Keeney/Mr. Renaldi - Cody Martin
Ziegfeld Tenor/Heckie - Randy Schmidt
John/Davis/Workman - Jaime Rodriguez
Florenz Ziegfeld - John Evarts
Benny/Paul - Nathan Brouillette Directed by Mark E. Hawkins

*Reviewed 10/08/2010 performance.

Reviewed by Laurie Lynn Lindemeier, Associate Theatre Critic 
for John Garcia's THE COLUMN

____________________________FUNNY GIRL_____________________________

Reviewed by Laurie Lynn Lindemeier, Associate Theatre Critic 
for John Garcia's THE COLUMN

Audiences love a story that comes full circle, and writers love to use flashback as a literary tool. Marry these two concepts and you have a satisfying theatrical experience when you view Musical Theatre of Denton's FUNNY GIRL. Clay White masterfully directed this musical which plays through October 17th at the Campus Theatre.

Last Friday every audience member no doubt attended the opening performance because either they adore drama or at least was brought there by someone who does. Watching the show biz story unfold of the quirky Fanny Brice, a Broadway film star who pursued her dreams against all odds, brings a lovely level of satisfaction to theater buffs of the big stage. I applaud the cast, and crew for crafting a unique version of this Broadway show that has been around since 1964. Although most theatre goers are quite familiar with the big numbers such as People, and Don't Rain on My Parade, Musical Theatre of Denton's presentation was fresh and vibrant.

As the show opens, Fanny Brice, played by Rachel Robertson, muses at her dressing table backstage. 

She waits for her husband, Nick Arnstein, played by Tyler Donahue, to return from his eighteen month prison sentence for embezzlement. Ms. Robertson does a wonderful job portraying Fanny Brice's undying love and desperate need to bail out her gambling husband from his ventures.

The buzz word for that nowadays is codependency. Ms. Robertson's portrayal of the Fanny allowed me to feel her character's pain and never ending need to foot the bill for her husband. She enables her husband so he doesn't have to feel the uncomfortable consequences of his actions.

When Nick blames his failures on his wife for helping him too much, I just wanted to smack him—this is a testament to fine acting. Bravo Tyler Donahue, this audience member was right there with you on the stage. But you don't want to meet me in a dark alley while you're still in your gambling character. It won't be pretty!

The chemistry between the leads drew me in excellently as the story progressed. In addition, Fanny Brice's evolution from a gawky teenager to a polished performer was achieved well by Ms. Robertson.

Although she is a beautiful lady, Ms. Robertson manages the most amusing facial expressions by crossing her eyes and tilting her head. Obviously, no one ever told her not to cross her eyes or they'd get stuck that way, like my mother did.

Ashley Crouch played Rose Brice, the proud mother of the star, who supported her star struck daughter through thick and thin. We watched the mother's angst build as her daughter repeatedly spent her hard earned money supporting a dead beat husband.

The whole cast was strong and were obviously having more fun dancing and singing than seems legal. The colorful satin dancing girl costumes designed by Audrey Lewis allowed the dancers to move but also dazzled our eyes. The choreography by Anne Black-Scalf was wonderful throughout. I particularly enjoyed the way the handheld mirrors were used by the dancing brides. This side-splitting scene ending with a bulging bride showed how fine costuming, uproarious acting and delightful dance steps work together to accomplish a hugely successful scene (His Love Makes Me Beautiful).

But returning briefly to the beginning of the show--from the moment the orchestra began its buoyant overture I knew we were on board for a good time. Yet, I couldn't figure out where they put the orchestra. 

The mystery of the orchestra's location escaped me until halfway through the show when the silhouette of the fine orchestra director, Ludwig Carrasco shone through the curtain. The silhouette lighting was a nice effect. The red light on Fanny Brice on the finale was striking and quite effective as well. Chris Hatcher not only designed the lovely lighting design, he also served as assistant director/
stage manger. 

Vicki Kirkley's sound design was uniform and flowed throughout the room, not booming out from any one location, but swirling around the room as the dancers spun around the stage. 

Miss Lennart's story which was originally entitled, My Man, certainly does becomes a swirling spinning musical at the hands of lyricist Bob Merrill and composer Jule Styne. With great lines like, "how many girls become a sinner waiting for a roast beef dinner," or "I'm just a great big clump of talent," how can we not be entertained? That's just fine writing! 

Normally I'm not much for tap dancing, but the large tap dancing number was brimming with pizzazz. When tap is done right it is fun to watch; when it's not, it's a headache. 

No need to hand me any aspirin for this troupe's dancing was delish. Many hours undoubtedly went into the level of precision attained. Yet, their were no grimacing faces in concentration on the dancers, just all bubbles and smiles.

Don't miss your chance to experience a touch of the Ziegfeld follies and brawly New York accents right here in the middle of Texas. After all, "Do you think beautiful girls are gonna stay in style forevah?" They will at least until October 17th when this terrific show closes.

Reviewed by Laurie Lynn Lindemeier, Associate Theatre Critic 
for John Garcia's THE COLUMN

Music Theatre of Denton
PO Box 3094
Denton, TX  76202-3094
940 381 3562
mtd@musictheatreofdenton.com