• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Event Calendar
    • Submit Event
  • About Us
    • Our Contributors
    • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Arts & Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • On Screen Dayton
    • On Screen Dayton Reviews
    • Road Trippin’
      • Cincinnati
      • Columbus
      • Indianapolis
    • Spectator Sports
    • Street-Level Art
    • Visual Arts
  • Dayton Dining
    • DMM’s Brunch Guide
    • Restaurants with Private Dining Rooms
    • Dayton Food Trucks
    • Quest
    • Ten Questions
  • Dayton Music
    • Music Calendar
  • On Stage Dayton
    • On Stage Dayton Reviews
  • Active Living
    • Canoeing/Kayaking
    • Cycling
    • Hiking/Backpacking
    • Runners
  • How to Support Dayton Businesses, Nonprofits During COVID-19

Dayton Most Metro

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: Funny Girl (Wright State University) – Hello, Gorgeous

November 3, 2012 By Russell Florence, Jr. 4 Comments

Wright State University supplies an entertaining production of the rarely attempted but incredibly tuneful 1964 musical comedy “Funny Girl,” the Jule Style, Bob Merrill and Isobel Lennart classic chronicling the rise of legendary vaudeville comedienne-turned-Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice.

Director Greg Hellems, offering a fluid, cinematic vision, curiously double casts the spirited, vocally demanding leading role so it’s 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 “Hairspray.” A lively bundle of energy worth rooting for, Hall endearingly depicts Fanny’s 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’s lovely score with impressive vigor and nuance, adeptly conveying the rip-roaring determination within “I’m the Greatest Star” and the tender sentimentality of “People,” “Who Are You Now?” and “The Music That Makes Me Dance.” Most importantly, Hall beautifully interprets “People” as a philosophy and her dynamic “Don’t Rain on My Parade” perfectly captures Fanny’s firm resolve at the end of Act 1 and her amazing resilience at the end of Act 2.

In contrast, Mimi Klipstine-Dick, who particularly portrays Fanny at matinees, eagerly desires to connect with the character but lacks surefire comedic timing and unwisely chooses to sing in the vein of Barbra Streisand, the iconic Fanny of stage and screen. Originality is the crucial requirement missing from Klipstine-Dick’s underwhelming performance, a committed effort that doesn’t evolve into the knockout this show demands.

Nonetheless, both ladies are surrounded by an excellent cast. Zack Steele, sharp, suave and exuding a maturity far beyond his years as flawed gambler Nick Arnstein, skillfully examines Nick’s pride, ambition and disappointment as a breadwinner. Justin Talkington, an exuberant presence recalling Broadway veteran Lee Roy Reams in his prime, lights up the stage as choreographer Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s pal who molded her talents in vaudeville and remained skeptical of Nick’s motives. The equally radiant Michelle Weiser takes her role as Fanny’s earthy mother Rose to compelling heights late in Act 2 when Rose confronts Fanny about Nick’s criminality. The absolutely delightful Kelsey Pohl as Mrs. Strakosh, fine tenor Mark Beyer’s resounding delivery of “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” and Emma Jordan as Fanny’s dutiful assistant Emma are also notable among the featured performers.

Additionally, Teresa Wylie McWilliams (“Hairspray”) creates wonderful routines once again from the busy activity of “Henry Street” and the seductive playfulness of “Cornet Man” to the tap dancing panache of “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat” featuring scenic designer Pam Knauert Lavarnway’s grand staircase reminiscent of “42nd Street.” Andy Balmert’s first-rate lighting design, D. Bartlett Blair’s attractive period costumes and Scot Woolley’s outstanding orchestra are also pleasurable.
“Funny Girl” is a night and day experience due to Hall and Klipstine-Dick’s polar opposite tactics, but it clearly satisfies as feel-good musical theater.

“Funny Girl” continues through Nov. 11 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Nov. 7-8 at 7 p.m., Nov. 3, 9-10 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 3-4, 10-11 at 2 p.m. Act One: 95 minutes; Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, call (937) 775-2500.

Filed Under: On Stage Dayton Reviews

About Russell Florence, Jr.

Russell Florence, Jr. is a member of The American Theatre Critics Association and The Drama League. In addition to his role as arts and culture editor of Dayton City Paper and theater critic for Dayton City Paper and Impact Weekly, he served as a Dayton Daily News freelance writer and editorial page contributor. He has also written features for such theater publications as Spotlight Ohio and The Sondheim Review. Over the past 25 years, he has seen over 1,000 shows locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally encompassing New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Toronto, Madrid, and Rome among other destinations.

Reader Interactions


Comments

Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Featured Events

  • Tue
    20
  • Wed
    21
  • Thu
    22
  • Fri
    23
  • Sat
    24
  • Sun
    25
  • Mon
    26

$6 Movie Day

| The Neon

Giovanni’s Carry Out Meal

4:00 pm | Giovanni’s

Spaghetti Dinner

5:00 pm | Trolley Stop

Luv Locz debut album release “Honey & Sage” 4/20 Party

6:30 pm | The Brightside Event & Music Venue

Live Trivia- In Person or Virtually

7:00 pm | Star City Brewing Company

Open Mic

7:00 pm | Applebee’s – Sugarcreek

Music Bingo

7:00 pm | Wings Sports Bar & Grille Beavercreek

Story Slam Dayton

7:00 pm | Wiley’s Comedy Club

Wright State University Friends of the Libraries Virtual Lunch-In

12:00 pm | Virtual Event

ALL YOU CAN EAT!

5:00 pm | Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro

Trivia w/ DagaTrivia

6:00 pm | Eudora Brewing Company

Trivia Night

6:30 pm | Troll Pub at the Wheelhouse

Virtual Cooking Class: Northern Italian Date Night

5:00 pm | Virtual Event

Eudora Run Club

5:30 pm | Eudora Brewing Company

2021 Dayton Primary Commissioner Debate!

6:30 pm | Facebook Live

Trivia With a Twist

7:00 pm | Sojourners Brewstillery

The Adventure Summit online: Dale Sanders in the Grand Canyon

7:00 pm | Virtual Event

Bingo

8:00 pm | Trolley Stop

WSU Big Lens Film Festival

8:00 pm | Dixie Twin Drive-In

Xenia Food Truck Rallies

4:00 pm | Xenia Station

Teddy Bear Picnic in the Park

4:00 pm | Bill Yeck Park

Vintage in the Valley Rummage Sale

5:00 pm | Montgomery County Fair & Fairgrounds, Dayton OH

Dayton Ballet presents Cinderella

7:30 pm | Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center

Metaphorically Speaking: 8-Year Anniversary Poetry Show

8:00 pm | The Dayton Art Institute

Opening Day

8:00 pm | Melody 49 Drive-In

Ghostly Walking Tour

8:00 am | The Friends Home

2nd Street Market – Outdoor Market Only

9:00 am | 2nd Street Market

Vintage in the Valley Rummage Sale

9:00 am | Montgomery County Fair & Fairgrounds, Dayton OH

Springtyme Faire Craft Show

9:00 am | Champaign County Fairgrounds

The Little Exchange Spring Open House and Mother’s Day Event

10:00 am | The Little Exchange Fine Gifts

Flower Crown Making Class

12:00 pm | Secret Eden

Market @ Mother’s

12:00 pm | Mother Stewart’s Brewing Co

Dayton Ballet presents Cinderella

3:00 pm | Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center

CJ Fish Fry Carry Out

4:00 pm | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

BIERGARTENS

5:00 pm | Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club

Cooking Together with Chef Amanda Haubrock

5:30 pm | your house

Stand-up comedy

7:00 pm | Sorg Opera House

Paydro Rodriguez

7:00 pm | Oddbody’s

Paris Flea Market

6:00 am | Dixie Twin Drive-In

Springtyme Faire Craft Show

10:00 am | Champaign County Fairgrounds

Dayton Ballet presents Cinderella

3:00 pm | Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center

New York WhiskeyTasting

4:00 pm | Patterson Pub

‘Pour Your Heart Out’ wine tasting

4:00 pm | Tender Mercy

6:00 pm | First Grace Church

TDOR Planning Meeting

7:00 pm | Greater Dayton LGBT Center

Sunday Comics

7:15 pm | Wiley’s Comedy Club

free soft pretzel day

7:00 am | Smales Pretzel Bakery

25% Off Pizza Monday

11:30 am | Oregon Express

HVO Pierogi & Kolachi Workshops

6:30 pm | Hidden Valley Orchards

Gem City Burlesque Presents Toxic Tease

7:00 pm | Toxic Brew Company

The Road to Effective Estate Planning

7:00 pm | Virtual Event

LGBT AA group

7:00 pm | Greater Dayton LGBT Center

King Iso, C-Mob, Taebo tha Truth, Snake Lucci live

7:00 pm | Oddbody’s

More Events…

DMM E-Newsletter


Give us your email address and we'll send you our DMM E-Newsletters
Email:  
For Email Marketing you can trust
Back to Top

Copyright © 2021 Dayton Most Metro · Terms & Conditions · Log in