A scene from the upcoming production of “Funny Girl” to be staged at Proctors, April 1- 6. Hannah Shankman and Stephen Mark Lukas in the National Tour of Funny Girl — Photo by Matthew Murphy.
A Broadway revival of “Funny Girl” is set to open on the main stage of Proctors Theater, 432 State St., Schenectady on Tuesday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. and it will continue through Sunday, April 6, with presentations at various times. Scores by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, choreography by Ellenore Scott, and direction from Michael Mayer will be featured.
The story is a loosely based biography of Fanny Brice (1891-1951), a Jewish girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something happened—she became a successful comedian, singer, and actress who made many stage, radio, and film appearances during her lifetime. She was known and noted for her roles with the Ziegfeld Follies. Brice’s turbulent marriage with professional gambler and con man Nicky Arnstein is the main theme of this musical. Liberties with the events of Brice’s life are taken.
Barbra Streisand starred as Brice in the 1964 Broadway musical and won an Academy Award in 1969, for reprising her role in the film version.
The running time is 2 hours and fifty minutes. Hannah Shankman and Stephen Mark Lucas are projected to play the parts of Fanny Brice and Nicky Arnstein in this production.
Celebrated classic songs, include “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.”
Information about the presentations, costs and tickets may be obtained from Proctors, 518-382-3884.
