Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre are staging a new production of Funny Girl – The Musical. This smash hit, a semi-biographical musical based on the life and career of Broadway star, film actress and comedienne Fanny Brice, features some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history – including People and Don’t Rain On My Parade.
The musical tells the bitter-sweet story of Fanny Brice, whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from a Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, and her tempestuous relationship with gambler Nick Arnstein.
Naledi nominee Ashleigh Harvey takes the lead
A stellar all-South African cast has been secured for this iconic production that first opened on Broadway on 26 March, 1964 at The Winter Garden Theatre, and enjoyed a recent sold-out revival season on the West End at The Savoy Theatre. The original book was written by Isobel Lennart, music composed by Jule Styne and lyrics written by Bob Merrill.
Taking the lead role will be Naledi nominee Ashleigh Harvey (Death of a Colonialist, Bash) an actor, singer, voice over artist, producer and writer whose work has taken her into Africa and all over the world. Harvey’s leading man is Clyde Berning (The Great Gatsby, Hamlet, Strangers on a Train) as Nick Arnstein.
Kate Normington (Sister Act, Mamma Mia!) plays Mrs Brice, Diane Wilson (Shirley Valentine, Grace) plays Mrs Strakosh, Michele Maxwell (Cabaret, Death of a Salesman) plays Mrs Meeker, Mike Huff (Cabaret, Singin’ in the Rain) plays Florenz Ziegfeld, Cameron Botha (Sweeney Todd) plays Eddie Ryan, Grant Towers (Sound of Music) plays Tom Keeney and Lucy Tops (The Rocky Horror Show) plays Emma. Sven-Eric Müller (West Side Story), LJ Neilson (West Side Story), Jenna Robinson-Child (Cabaret), Ambre Chanel Fulton (Singin’ in the Rain), Michéle la Trobe (West Side Story) Sibusiso Mxosana (West Side Story), Daniel Fisher (Queen of the Ballet), Tamryn van Houten (West Side Story) and Tyla Nurden makes her professional debut.
This Fugard Theatre’s production will be directed by Matthew Wild, with musical direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and choreography by Louisa Talbot – bringing the same creative team together again who created The Fugard Theatre’s smash hits The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret and West Side Story. Set design is by Saul Radomsky, and costumes by Birrie Le Roux. Lighting is by Daniel Galloway and Benjamin du Plessis.
Funny Girl – The Musical was arguably Barbra Streisand’s big breakthrough when she played the lead role in the original production. The same production was nominated for eight Tony Awards and the cast recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. A film adaptation was released in 1968, starring Streisand (Academy Award for Best Actress, Golden Globe) alongside Omar Sharif.
What: Funny Girl – The Musical
Where: The Fugard Theatre, Cape Town
When: From 18 April, 2017. Tuesdays – Fridays, 8pm and Saturdays, 4pm, 8pm
Tickets: R130 – R350. Discounts for Friends of The Fugard Members at Fugard’s box office 021 461 4554
Book: 021 461 4554, www.computicket.co.za, 0861 9158 000
Park: Diagonally opposite the theatre
WS
