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Wright State University supplies an entertaining production of the rarely attempted but incredibly tuneful 1964 musical comedy \u201cFunny Girl,\u201d the Jule Style, Bob Merrill and Isobel Lennart classic chronicling the rise of legendary vaudeville comedienne-turned-Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice.<\/p>\n
Director Greg Hellems, offering a fluid, cinematic vision, curiously double casts the spirited, vocally demanding leading role so it\u2019s imperative to tell you this show specifically dazzles in the hands of Melissa Hall, a charming actress who was just as winning and hilarious last season as Penny Pingleton in \u201cHairspray.\u201d A lively bundle of energy worth rooting for, Hall endearingly depicts Fanny\u2019s larger than life personality, appealing go-getter spirit and the engaging stage presence that fueled her reputation throughout the early 20th century. She also handles Styne and Merrill\u2019s lovely score with impressive vigor and nuance, adeptly conveying the rip-roaring determination within \u201cI\u2019m the Greatest Star\u201d and the tender sentimentality of \u201cPeople,\u201d \u201cWho Are You Now?\u201d and \u201cThe Music That Makes Me Dance.\u201d Most importantly, Hall beautifully interprets \u201cPeople\u201d as a philosophy and her dynamic \u201cDon\u2019t Rain on My Parade\u201d perfectly captures Fanny\u2019s firm resolve at the end of Act 1 and her amazing resilience at the end of Act 2.<\/p>\n
Read more at MostMetro.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ((Excerpt)) Wright State University supplies an entertaining production of the rarely attempted but incredibly tuneful 1964 musical comedy \u201cFunny Girl,\u201d the Jule Style, Bob Merrill and Isobel Lennart classic chronicling the rise of legendary vaudeville comedienne-turned-Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice. … Continue reading