Fabulous Funny Girl in Sacramento

Funny Girl book by Isobel Lennart; music by Jule Styne & lyrics by Bob Merrill directed by Glenn Casale California Musical Theatre @ Sacramento Music Circus @ Wells Fargo Pavilion, Sacramento through August 15 only

Funny Girl is rarely mounted anywhere. Seeing the show - somewhat flawed: could have a stronger book - but one that I adore - in Sacramento this week, it dawned on me why. You must have one singularly incredible star performer - one who can act and sing greater than most (the greatest star - please forgive, Mr. Merrill!), and let's face it, there are many talented ladies available, but just not that good, at least not up to the unforgettable Barbra Streisand who originated the part.

Vicki Lewis is a powerhouse singer and actress who can be Fanny Brice - young or older, and makes the role totally her own, without calling to mind, for a split second, the lady whose stamp is all over it, including the film - wonderful in itself, but very different from the show. From the moment Lewis makes her first entrance in full-length fur, she is mesmerizing - she can play Brice...and she could play Streisand, she could play Streep, you name the star - Lewis is the best.

She is joined by a dynamite ensemble - tall, handsome Brad Little as Nicky Arnstein, the versatile Michael Paternostro as magnetic Eddie Ryan, Alix Korey, so good as Mrs Brice, Ron Wisniski superb as the stern, poker-faced Flo Ziegfeld, Helen Geller precious as irrepressibly outspoken Mrs Strakosh - they are all terrific under Glenn Casale's meticulous staging.

This is in the round, and the crew are to be commended as well for thier amazing timing in moving set pieces and props down and up aisles with breakneck speed, on cue, before lights come up.

The costumes by Marcy Froehlich are beautiful, especially Lewis's, which replicate some of the original dresses almost to the letter.

This is a dynamite evening of theatre. Theatre in the round is equated to summer stock, but this Funny Girl goes way beyond that. Thanks to Glenn Casale and Vicki Lewis, it is undeniably GRANDE.

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