Funny Girl opens at Wright State

Sophomore Mimi Klipstine-Dick (pictured) and senior Melissa Hall share the starring role of Fanny Brice.

The legendary Broadway musical that propelled Barbra Streisand to superstardom and inspired Glee’s Rachel Berry has taken the stage at Wright State University.

Funny Girl tells the story of Fanny Brice, a vaudeville comedian best known for her starring roles in the Ziegfield Follies, and her turbulent relationship with debonair gambler Nick Arnstein. The musical features a string of well-known songs (many of which audiences may recognize from the hit television show Glee), including “I’m the Greatest Star,” “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

Junior musical theatre major Zach Steele also stars as leading man Nick Arnstein, Brice’s troubled lover.

Funny Girl opened on Broadway in 1964 starring Barbra Streisand. It was nominated for eight Tony Awards and went on to run for 1,348 performances. The film adaptation, for which Streisand won the Best Actress Academy Award, was the highest grossing film of 1968.

Wright State’s production stars senior Melissa Hall and sophomore Mimi Klipstine-Dick as Brice in alternating performances and Zack Steele as Arnstein. Associate theatre professor Greg Hellems directed the show.

Performances run through Nov. 11 in the Festival Playhouse at the Creative Arts Center on Wright State’s Dayton campus. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 students and seniors. For tickets and theatre information call the Box Office at (937) 775-2500.