Village Theatre will present Funny Girl next month and for scenic artist Julia Franz, what’s old will be new again. Franz will celebrate her 100th production with Village Theatre, back where she started, so to speak. Her first production was also Funny Girl, also directed by Steve Tomkins and designed by Bill Forrester, back in the spring of 1994.
At a time when many theatre companies are converting to printed set drops, Franz remains dedicated to keeping the lost art of hand-painted sets, drops and floors alive.
“Hand-painting allows for more control and flexibility in our work,” Franz said. “What we do is an art form and with the human hand we can achieve a visual aspect that a computer printout simply can’t.”
Singing the title role of Fanny Brice will be Sarah Rose Davis of Bellevue. Fanny Brice is Funny Girl; the irrepressible comedienne, Vaudeville star, and one of the most celebrated entertainers of her time. This semi-autobiographical musical is based on Fanny’s life, career, and stormy relationship with professional gambler and con artist Nick Arnstein.
It includes favorite tunes “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “People,” and “You Are Woman, I Am Man,” and is packed with all the glamour and glitz of the Ziegfeld Follies. Village Theatre’s production showcases over 180 costumes and countless scene changes spanning over four decades.
In addition to Davis (who also performed in Spamalot at the 5th Avenue), the cast will include Logan Benedict as Nick Arnstein; Bobbi Kotula as Ms. Brice; Don Collins as Florenz Ziegfeld; Chelsea Lynne Myers as Emma; Jayne Muirhead as Mrs. Strakosh; John Scott as Eddie Ryan; Jonathan Lee-Vroman as Tom Keeney; Laura Abel as Mrs. O’Malley and Rachel Wilkie as Mrs. Meeker.
Steve Tomkins will direct Funny Girl and together Tim Symons and Bruce Monroe will serve as co-music directors.
Ensemble performers are Eric Bayne, Blaine Boyd, Sean Calavan, Ethan Carpenter, Gabriel Corey, Bo Mellinger, Mallory King, Trina Mills, Taylor Niemeyer, Becca Orts, Alana Peters, Connor Russell, Mara Solar, Adam Somers and Katy Tabb.
Tim Symons and Bruce Monroe will serve as co-music directors (original music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill). Karen Ann Ledger is the costume designer, Aaron Copp is the lighting designer and Kristin Holland Bohr is the choreographer. Brent Warwick is the sound designer and Monique Walker is the properties master. Brandon Ivie is the assistant director and Brenda K. Walker is the stage manager.
The musical will run from May 15 to July 6 in Issaquah. Issaquah tickets ($30 to $65) are on sale now at www.villagetheatre.org/issaquah/tickets.php or at the box office (425-392-2202) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
