1967 - 1968
Funny Girl
Funny Girl is a generally faithful re-telling of parts of the career of Fanny Brice who was born in New York City in 1891 and was, for 25 years, one of the brightest comedians of the American musical theatre. The story of Fanny Brice's won't-take-no-for-an-answer battle to bash her way into a burlesque chorus line and then to catch star-maker Florenz Ziegfield by the ear isn't really much different from any other major performer's successful assault on Broadway, but Isobel Lennart's understanding libretto and the tuneful Jule Styne-Bob Merrill score make it different.
The musical is also intent on telling the story of how Fanny loved and lost Nicky Arnstein. It is most fun, however, when it is revelling in Fanny's preoccupation with show business. Bursting with energy and eagerness to improve her routines, Fanny is an impudent dancing doll who refuses to run down, and when imagining herself in a radiant future in "I'm the Greatest Star", she is not only Fanny Brice but all young performers believing in their destiny. And then there are the two production numbers which recall the Ziegfeld theatre of the early 1900's - one an opulent salute to American beauties decked out in bridal gowns and diaphanous little nothings, the other a World War I extravaganza with dough boys and dough girls tapping out a rousing "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" - which are rare nostalgic treats.
Director: Joseph L. Shaver
Musical Director: Berthold Carriere
Choreographer: Richard Jones
Cast
Bill Steen
Ticket Seller
Bob Cooper
Ben
Bob Munson
Mr. Renaldi, Workman
Brian Morin
Snub Taylor, Workman
Dario Echeverri
Workman
Denise Smith
Bubbles, Keeney Dancer
Dillon O'Connor
Ziegfield Tenor
Ed Kyle
Eddie Ryan
Elsa Pickthorne
Mrs. Brice
Appears through the courtesy of Actor's Equity Association
Gabrielle Lacroix
Cathy
Geoffrey D'Alberti
Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.
Gerry Morris
Tom Keeney
Isabel Amey
Mrs. O'Malley
Jack Wallace
Heckie
Jean Halley
Mrs. Strakosh
Jean Wheeler
Mrs. Meeker
Jenny Crawley
Maude, Keeney Dancer
Jim Kerr
Actor, Keeney Dancer
Joy Phillips
Mrs. Nadler
Judith Hallett
Polly, Keeney Dancer
Judy Cairncross
Jenny
Ken Phillips
Adolph
Len Morin
Five Finger Finney
Les Bonhower
Mr. Strakosh
Linda Ingram
Joan, Ziegfield Dancer
Mary Davern
Mrs. Vance
Mary Frances
Fanny Brice
Pam Payant
Vera
Ray Case
Ziegfield Lead Dancer
Ruth Bennet
Mrs. Winston
Sal Pantalone
Nick Arnstein
Sheila Usher
Emma
Shirley Stewart
Mimsey
Vern Fraser
Paul, Workman
Wally Chopowick
Trombone Smitty
Wally Winges
John
Annabelle McCarthy
Ziegfield Dancer
Elaine Cable
Ziegfield Show Girl
Gloria Irvine
Keeney Dancer
Jill Welland
Ziegfield Dancer
Julia Hobbs
Ziegfield Dancer
June Wood
Ziegfield Show Girl
Nancy Shaver
Ziegfield Show Girl
Patzi Davidson
Ziegfield Show Girl
Ron Henry
Keeney Dancer
Sheira Nault
Ziegfield Show Girl
Vessie de Szeghio-Foytenyi
Ziegfield Show Girl
Linda Murdock
Friend, Neigbour
Marcel Carrière
Friend, Neigbour
Marlaine Muldoon
Friend, Neigbour
Muriel Howie
Friend, Neigbour
Pat Fraser
Friend, Neigbour
Ruth Harron
Friend, Neigbour
Sally Lees
Friend, Neigbour
Tony Trottier
Friend, Neigbour
Production
Ann Goetz
Set Designer
Bill Warne
House Manager
Brian Morin
Catering
Dave Cochrane
Audio
Dorothy Gough
Assistant to the Director
Ernest Lindsay
Photography
Faye Lavell
Ticket Manager
Gil Wright
Publicity
Jean Pascal
Make-Up Designer
John C. Findlay
Audio
Kenneth L. Meyer
Programme Chairman
Lorna Rice
Accompanist
Margaret Mahony
Assistant to the Producer
Marion Lemmon
Properties
Marylin Day
Script Assistant
Murray Smith
Stage Manager
Nancy Turner
Lighting Designer, Publicity
Norma Coll
Costume Designer
Norman Osborne
Production Co-ordinator
Rod Holmes
Programme Cover
Sheb Wooley
Audio
Terry Moran
Workshop Chairman
Virginia Day
Assistant Stage Manager
