Thursday 30 September 1999

Funny Girl, Production Company, Sept 30, 1999


Music by Julie Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, Book by Isobel Lennart.
The Production Company at Melbourne Concert Hall Sept 30, Oct 1 & 2, 1999
Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Caroline O'Connor is a card-carrying musical comedy phenomenon. As Fanny Brice, she is stunningly versatile, attacking with equal skill, gags or drama, choreography or song. It is as if we are seeing ten different women on stage.

Funny Girl is the third in The Production Company's concert series and arguably the best. Gary Young (Les Miserables) directs the show and creates a pulsating extravaganza without all the trappings of a complete stage show. Who needs 'em! We've got voices, actors, musicians and choreography.

Fanny Brice was Florenz Ziegfeld's prize comedy girl early this century.
She stormed onto the New York stage from the lower east side with her skinny legs, plain face and big hooter of a nose. She was a hit! Her one tragedy was marrying Nick Arnstein, (John O'May) a handsome, smooth-talking gambler who was finally gaoled for stock fraud.

O'Connor plays Fanny as cheeky, funny, warm hearted, loyal and just a bit dumb. She falls for Nicky and almost relinquishes her career to satisfy his ego. He loved her but could not deal with her being more successful than him. So what's changed?

O'May is adorable as the roguishly charming Arnstein. His warm voice is a fine complement to O'Connor. Nancye Hayes, as Fanny's mother, is the vibrant heart of the hens of Henry Street.

Her clan includes Joan Sydney who is delightfully Irish as Mrs. O'Malley, and the hilarious Susan-Ann Walker as Mrs. Strakosh who rivals The Nanny's mother for interfering.

Jack Webster is lively and engaging as Eddie Ryan and David Ravenswood is a hearty, powerful presence as Ziegfeld. A musical highlight is the bell-like tenor of David Rogers-Smith singing You'll Make a Beautiful Bride and The Australian Theatre Orchestra is wonderful under the skilful musical direction of Guy Simpson.

But the star is definitely O'Connor, winner of two MO Awards. She pours her soul into songs such as People and Don't Rain on My Parade and hits comic heights as a pregnant bride amongst the flurry of gorgeous brides in You'll Make a Beautiful Bride and as a Woody Allen look-alike soldier in Rat Tat Tat.

Melbourne would appreciate a remount and longer season of this show.

by Kate Herbert

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