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Funny Girl
The musical “Funny Girl,” opened in New York City this summer for the first time since its original run on Broadway in the mid-1960s.
For those unable to make the trip to catch the revival of the classic musical comedy on a New York City stage, the Pauls Valley Arts Council Theatre group will be performing their own rendition of “Funny Girl” this fall at the Pauls Valley High School auditorium.
“I just think the timing is really neat for us to be able to do this as community theater,” ACT Director Renee Mackey-Myler said, adding she was surprised she was able to get a license for the musical with the Broadway revival currently on stage.
The performance will be the first musical production for the community theater group.
“I really wanted to do something I think people in our community would enjoy – and something with a little humor in it,” said Mackey-Myler, who admits she’s been enthralled with “Funny Girl” since she first saw the movie adaptation when she was a teen.
The musical comedy is based on the true story of Fanny Brice, who was a showgirl in the Ziegfeld Follies. In the musical, Fanny dreams of being a star, but is discouraged by those, including her mother, who tell her it will never happen because she isn’t considered conventionally attractive. Defying the odds, she gets a job in vaudeville and eventually the Follies, and becomes a star when she turns a classical, romantic number into a comedy routine.
While many in the over-40 crowd are likely to be familiar with the musical, Mackey-Myler said she hopes the ACT performance will offer the opportunity for a younger generation to fall in love with “Funny Girl,” too.
“My hope is this will be something people can come see and walk out and say, ‘Wow! That was fantastic. And we were able to experience that right here in our little local community.’ I think it’s really going to be a lot of fun,” Mackey-Myler said. “But it’s going to be a lot of work, as well!”
ACT has already lined up a choreographer, musical director and conductor for the production and the orchestra will be provided by collegiate music students.
There are plenty of roles still to be filled, though, Mackey-Myler said, adding she hopes to fill the cast with as many local performers as possible.
ACT will hold open auditions for “Funny Girl” Monday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Pauls Valley High School Auditorium, 601 North Street. Those auditioning for a singing role should bring sheet music from a musical, and a pianist will be provided. Those auditioning for speaking-only roles will be asked to read a selection from the script provided.
Rehearsals for the production start Aug. 22 at the Pauls Valley High School auditorium.
Performances are planned for Oct. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m., with a 3 p.m. matinee performance on Oct. 23 Tickets are expected to be $15, and Mackey-Myler said details on where to purchase tickets will be available closer to show time.