Hodges & Hodges Set the Stage for Hillbarn Theatre's FUNNY GIRL, Aug. 28 - Sep. 21

Get ready for Hillbarn Theatre's production of Funny Girl, playing August 28 - September 21. Based on the real life story of famous Vaudeville star Fanny Bryce, Funny Girl is a Broadway classic that you're going to want to see on stage! It originally starred Barbra Streisand in both the stage and film version, garnering the actress an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Actress, among many other awards and nominations. Although the movie and musical have some major differences, the stage production is bound to bring the same laughs and chutzpa as the original. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, this is a must-see musical.

Hodges & Hodges Set the Stage: Some Funny Girl Things To Do Before the Show

"I'm a bagel on a plate full of onion rolls"

Can a girl with unconventional looks make it in show business? You bet! Celebrate being the greatest star in your own life by visiting Izzy's Brooklyn Bagels in Palo Alto. Try a plain bagel but fancy it up with the schmears. With nineteen different spreads to choose from, get creative and you'll feel like the star of the bagel shop.

An Intimate Dinner for Two...

Fanny Bryce went from pot roast to pate and you can too! Visit a taste of New York class at the Central Park Bistro in San Mateo. Try the Duck Ragout for lunch or the Duck Pate for dinner. Just don't be a chicken and chicken out on this great dining experience...

"But guess who is gonna be dessert?"

The above is a class line from the song "You Are Woman, I am Man." We'll let you figure out what that means....meanwhile, you MUST go to Kara's Cupcakes in Burlingame. They are quite simply the best, just like you! But if you're in San Francisco and craving something sweet, head to Ghirardelli Square for a treat!

"I'm The Greatest Star"

As Fanny tries and fails at her audition for a chorus girl part, she belts her heart out, proclaiming to the world that she IS the greatest and that no one can stop her. Become a star like Fanny! Backstage.com has open auditions in San Francisco for nonunion actors. Take a chance on yourself! Don't let your insecurities get in your way. Audition for a show and mark that one off your bucket list! Who knows? You might become famous . . .

"I Want to Be Seen With You Tonight"

Do It Up With Style

If you want to turn heads at Funny Girl then we suggest going to Peninsula Beauty Salon to get the full treatment - hair, nails - the works!

Dressed to the Nines

This show features some absolutely gorgeous gowns and terrific tuxes so the only way to see the show in style is to dress it up. Visit Decades of Fashion in San Francisco. They have one of the largest selections of vintage and classic outfits that will turn heads at the theatre. Wouldn't it be fun to arrive looking like a Ziegfeld Girl or Guy?!

Place your bets!

Want to try your luck and see if you can get a hot streak? Head up to San Bruno to Artichoke Joe's Casino for a little gambling. Maybe you'll strike it rich and marry the person of your dreams. But be careful! That's how Nicky lost his mojo! Or host your own poker party. Use the winnings to treat your friends to see Funny Girl at the Hillbarn!

Nicky: "I breed horses." Fanny: "What? They can't breed themselves?"

Horse racing offers a unique experience that not many people get to see. Bring the whole family down to Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley and see what the excitement is all about! With names like, Ongoing Appeal, Here Comes the Sun, Deep Reflection, Beautiful Mine, and Impossible Timing, it's like the horses are telling the story of Fanny Brice herself!

"Cornet Man"

"Cornet Man" is the number that gets replaced in the movie with "Roller-skate Rag." As an homage to the movie visit the Redwood Roller Rink in Redwood City. Act out the famous movie audition scene and see if you can't turn a few heads as you dance the afternoon away.

CRITICS CORNER

What to Watch for in Funny Girl

From Nick: I am going to be honest. I've only seen the movie version of Funny Girl (with Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif). I know! Blasphemy! I could not believe I hadn't seen this classic before! I cannot wait to see the stage production. If you're like me and you only have the celluloid version to go by, try not to compare. Each version has its own uniqueness. I'll keep this in mind too and watch with a clean slate.

From Linda: Funny Girl is so singularly associated with Barbra Streisand that playing Fanny Brice has not been attempted very often since 1964. The television show Glee broke this pattern last season, with Lea Michele's character Rachel playing her dream role of Fanny Brice - to rave reviews. As Nick said, it will be hard not to compare Hillbarn's Melissa WolfKlain (Equity actress) to the other Fannys. Watch to see how WolfKlain makes the role her own while still giving us the familiar star power of Babs! Allow yourself to enjoy the show on its own merits. I'm hoping for major chemistry between WolfKlain's Fanny and William Giammona's swoon-worthy Nicky Arnstein.

Get your tickets now and we'll see you at the show!

And, just to set the stage a little more, here's a sneak peak at Hillbarn's "Sitzprobe," the rehearsal where the orchestra and singers begin to shape the show together. Listen to WolKlain and get ready to be dazzled!

Funny Girl
August 28th - September 21st
Hillbarntheatre.org
Book by Isobel Lennart
Music by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill
Directed by Dan Demers
Photo courtesy of M. Kitaoka