PRODUCTION TEAM

Director – Jarrad West

Musical Director – Rose Shorney

Choreographer – Amy Fitzpatrick

Production Manager – Nick Valois

Funny Girl is a musical with a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of comedienne, film and Broadway star Fanny Brice, and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. Most audiences know Funny Girl from the 1968 film adaptation starring Barbara Streisand and featuring the timeless hits ‘Don’t Rain on my Parade’, ‘People’ and ‘I’m The Greatest Star’. The narrative takes us from Henry Street, Brooklyn and the local vaudeville theatres to the glamorous Ziegfeld Follies – spanning over a decade during the earlier twentieth century. Funny Girl is a classic and beautiful piece of theatre. It is a rollercoaster drama, flavoured with spectacular musical numbers and presented as a true and stylish period piece. The show received 8 Tony nominations in 1964.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Character Vocal Range Description Fanny Brice (20-35) Female Lead Mezzo-Soprano The star of the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway with a wonderful sense Note: This role has been of humour. Former ‘ugly cast duckling’. From New York’s lower east side, quirky, fearless, comedic finesse, acting range from impassioned

Nick Arnstein (24-40) Male Lead Baritone Good-looking but unsuccessful gambler a gambler and the love of Fanny’s life, suave, sophisticated, and charming; must have a strong middle range voice Mrs Brice (40+) Female Supporting Mezzo-soprano Fanny's sharp-tongued but sympathetic mother tough Brooklyn/Jewish mother, dry funny Character Vocal Range Description Mrs Strakosh (40+) Female Supporting Mezzo-soprano Typical pessimistic Jewish mother, Mrs. Brice's poker playing friend and neighbour strong, shrill yet funny Mrs Meeker (40+) Female Supporting Mezzo-soprano Another of Mrs. Brice's cohorts, a comedienne Mrs O’Malley Female Supporting Mezzo-soprano The fourth in Mrs. Brice's quartet of friends; Irish accent Eddie Ryan (20-35) Male Supporting Baritone A song and dance man and Fanny’s closest friend who secretly loves her. Good comic timing, bright, energetic, sincere; must be a strong singer/dancer who taps Mr Renaldi (30+) Male Featured Spoken Theatrical agent, urbane; strong acting skills Mrs Meeker (30+) Female Featured Mezzo-soprano Mrs. Brice's neighbour Ziegfeld Tenor (18-65) Male Featured Tenor Sings ‘The Most Beautiful Bride In Note: This role has been The World’, high production style cast tenor Florenz Ziegfeld Male Featured Spoken The famed Broadway producer, elegant and distinguished, imposing, resonant, distinguished, the producer of the Ziegfeld follies; this is a non- singing, non–dancing role. Tom Keeney Male A tough Vaudeville producer who gives Fanny her first break. Emma (25-40) Female Fanny’s dresser and confidante, the voice of reason, meek yet strong Ensemble roles – Male Ensemble roles included both showgirls, dancers and and Keeney and Ziegfeld choristers; chorus female plus Henry Street people and various other smaller roles within the show.

The director is particularly keen on making sure that every ensemble member has a role to play – the different characters are what makes this musical, so the more outgoing and brave an actor is – the better!

SONG LIST

Act I

• ‘Overture’ – Orchestra • ‘If a Girl Isn't Pretty’ – Mrs. Strakosh, Mrs. Brice, Eddie Ryan and Ensemble • ‘I'm the Greatest Star’ – Fanny Brice • ‘Cornet Man’ – Fanny Brice, and Chorus • ‘Who Taught Her Everything?’ – Mrs. Brice and Eddie Ryan • ‘His Love Makes Me Beautiful’ – Ziegfeld Tenor, Ziegfeld Girls and Fanny Brice • ‘I Want to Be Seen With You Tonight’ – Nick Arnstein and Fanny Brice • ‘Henry Street’ – Henry Street Neighbors • ‘People‘ – Fanny Brice • ‘You Are Woman’ – Nick Arnstein and Fanny Brice • ‘Don't Rain on My Parade‘ – Fanny Brice

Act II

• ‘Sadie, Sadie’ – Fanny Brice and Friends • ‘Find Yourself a Man’ – Mrs. Strakosh, Mrs. Brice and Eddie Ryan • ‘Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat’ –Ziegfeld Company and Fanny Brice • ‘Who Are You Now?’ –Fanny Brice • ‘The Music That Makes Me Dance’ – Fanny Brice • ‘Don't Rain on My Parade’ (Reprise) – Fanny Brice

SYNOPSIS

Act I - Fanny is a stage-struck teen who gets her first job in vaudeville. Her mother and her friend Mrs. Strakosh try to dissuade her from show-business because Fanny is not the typical beauty (‘If a Girl Isn't Pretty’). But Fanny perseveres (‘I'm the Greatest Star’) and is helped and encouraged by Eddie Ryan, a dancer she meets in the vaudeville shows. Once Fanny's career takes off, Eddie and Mrs. Brice lament that once she's on Broadway she'll forget about them (‘Who Taught Her Everything?’). Fanny performs a supposedly romantic number in the Follies, but she turns it into a classic comic routine, ending the number as a pregnant bride (‘His Love Makes Me Beautiful’).

She meets the sophisticated and handsome Nicky Arnstein, who accompanies Fanny to her mother's opening night party on ‘Henry Street’. Fanny is clearly falling in love with Nicky, while acknowledging their complex vulnerabilities (‘People’). They meet in Baltimore and have a private dinner at a swanky restaurant and declare their feelings (‘You Are Woman’). Fanny is determined to marry Nicky regardless of his gambling past (‘Don't Rain on My Parade‘).

Act II - They do marry and move to a mansion on Long Island (‘Sadie, Sadie’). In the meantime, Mrs. Strakosh and Eddie propose to Mrs. Brice that she should find a man to marry, now that her daughter is supporting her (‘Find Yourself a Man.’) Fanny has become a major star with Ziegfeld and the Follies (‘Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat’). Nicky asks Ziegfeld to invest in a gambling casino, but although Ziegfeld passes, Fanny insists on investing. When the venture fails and they lose their money, Fanny tries to make light of it, which propels Nicky to get involved in a shady bond deal, resulting in his arrest for embezzlement. Fanny feels helpless but stronger than ever in her love for him (‘The Music That Makes Me Dance’).

In the present, Fanny is waiting for Nicky to arrive and has time to reflect on her situation. Nicky arrives, newly released from prison, and he and Fanny decide to separate. Fanny is heartbroken, but resolves to pick up her life again (‘Don't Rain on My Parade, Reprise’).

AUDITIONS

Auditions and call backs will be held at the Cook Community Hub, Templeton Street, Cook.

Saturday 2 April

Dance: 9.30am to 10am

Singing: from 10am

Time slots for all auditions will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Some auditionees will be required to attend a call back. If you do not get a call back it does NOT mean you aren’t in the show – we just don’t need to see you again.

Singing

Auditions will be in 10 minute slots – you will be required to sing one song, not from the musical, but in the same style. You will be assessed on your vocal ability and also your skill in telling the story of the song.

Treat the song like a monologue – that is; what is the story of the song? How do I tell it? Are the words I’m singing really relating to how I’m feeling or is something else going on? Do I end up in a different emotional or physical state by the end of the song?

Please bring your sheet music with you for a song of your choice that BEST SHOWS OFF your vocal strengths. This show does NOT have any opera, so don’t bring an aria! Best to choose a song that is the same STYLE as songs from Funny Girl. Time is limited so just sing the ‘best part’ of the song – usually one verse and one chorus. Please do not bring a song from the show itself.

The director will be looking for performers who are able to show off their acting range whilst singing the song. Separate scene readings will be required for the call-back part of the audition process.

Dancing

All those auditioning for dance chorus should wear a dance heel. All other auditionees should wear appropriate footwear; no joggers, and no jeans. Please wear clothing that you can move and dance in. All cast MUST attend a singing audition and a dance audition.

VENUE AND PRODUCTION DATES

Funny Girl will be held at The Q Performing Arts Centre, Crawford Street Queanbeyan. Performances are as follows however these may be subject to change.

• Friday 19 August 8.00pm • Saturday 20 August 2pm • Saturday 20 August 8.00pm • Wednesday 24 August 8.00pm • Thursday 25 August 8.00pm • Friday 26 August 8.00pm • Saturday 27 August 2.00pm • Saturday 27 August 8.00pm • Sunday 28 August 5pm • Tuesday 30 August 8.00pm (TBC) • Wednesday 31 August 8.00pm • Thursday 1 September 8.00pm • Friday 2 September 8.00pm • Saturday 3 September 2.00pm • Saturday 3 September 8.00pm • Sunday 4 September 5pm (TBC)

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals will commence for singing and dancing last week of May 2016. Subject to change, but at this stage it is planned that rehearsals will be held as follows:

• Saturdays 10.00am to 1.00pm, Belconnen Labor Club (this venue may change) • Mondays 7.00pm – 10.00pm, Cook Community Hub, Templeton St, Cook • Wednesdays 7.00pm – 10.00pm, Cook Community Hub, Templeton St, Cook

Cast will be called to rehearsals as required. A rehearsal schedule will be in place, but may be subject to change – apologies in advance for any inconvenience.

Clash dates MAY influence the casting.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Auditions will be held in 10 minute slots. During this time you will be asked to perform your prepared song and take direction from the panel. You will audition in front of a panel consisting of the Director Musical Director, Choreographer, Production Manager and a person from the Supa committee.

Minimum age: auditionees must be at least 16 at the time of the audition.

All potential auditionees MUST complete an AUDITION FORM and return it to Supa (available online at www.supaproductionsinc.com) BEFORE the audition day. This is to allow for the form to be copied for each member of the audition panel.

Please indicate ALL the roles for which you wish to be considered. But be aware of the age and vocal requirements – be realistic about your choice(s). Please arrive at the audition TWENTY MINUTES before your scheduled time to allow time for a photograph and to warm up sufficiently.

Please wear comfortable clothing that is APPROPRIATE for movement (no wrap arounds, no loose tops). Wear SENSIBLE shoes for dancing.

Acting readings will be required for callbacks only – you will be given a scene to prepare at the callback.