‘Funny Girl’ to be Staged at Marathon Center for the Performing Arts

Barbra Streisand rocked it in 1968, and now the University of Findlay Theatre Program is giving the musical “Funny Girl” a whirl later this month.
Featuring a 21-piece live orchestra, performances will be Feb. 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. in the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $6 for seniors. UF students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid University ID. Tickets can be purchased at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts box office at 200 W. Main Cross St. and online at www.marathoncenterarts.org; or by calling 419-423-2787.
The musical includes some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including “People,” “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” and “The Music that Makes Me Dance.” This classic tells the fascinating and bittersweet story of Fanny Brice, whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star. Her tempestuous relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein also adds to the story.
The show will be directed by Vicki McClurkin. “Funny Girl” will mark her final musical for UF prior to her retirement in May. McClurkin has been a part of UF for more than 30 years, and has directed 29 Theatre Program musical productions, along with many other non-musical theatre performances.
The cast includes University of Findlay students and select UF faculty and staff members. Playing Fanny Bryce will be Abigail Land. Sophomore theatre major Blake Bush will portray Nick Arnstein.  Eddie Ryan will be played by Brent Hoggatt and Brigid Griffin will portray Fanny’s mother, Mrs. Brice.  Other UF student cast members include: Demetrius Dunson, Makenna Fox, Timotej Iliev, Riley Klauza, Jonda Korntz, MeghanLasher, Lisa Martinez, Jill McKinney, India Miller, Andrew Peatee, MyKayla Ruffing, Trent Shaffer, Kayla Sell, Chinny Shibai, Austin Stevens, Eli Garmon, Kat Slate, Abigail Starcher, Cody Watson and Deirdre Wysocki.  UF faculty and staff cast members include:  Elkie Burnside, Roger Fell, Gabrielle Ferris, Harley Ferris and Cheri Hampton-Farmer.  Also in the cast are UF alumni Laura Abraham and Jeff Lee.
Micheal Anders, Ph.D., will serve as music director and Brenda Hoyt-Brackman as choreographer. Carl Walling, Ph.D., is in charge of set and lighting design, Matt Stimmel of technical direction, and Jessica Leszkowicz is properties mistress. Destiny DeWar is stage manager, and Molly O’Reilly and Sara O’Bryan are assistant stage managers. Kathy Newell is the costume designer.
“Funny Girl” was originally produced on the Broadway stage by Ray Stark, New York production was supervised by Jerome Robbins, and directed by Garson Kanin. Music is by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The tale is based on an original story in a book written by Isobel Lennart.
“Funny Girl” is presented by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022.