Who plays Nicky Arnstein in the current production of Funny Girl?
Westchester Broadway Theatre production of FUNNY GIRL, which stars Jill Abramovitz as Fanny Brice and Grant Norman as the dashing, high flying gambler, Nicky Arnstein, begins previews tonight, March 26, 2009. The musical plays though to June 14, 2009 The official press opening on April 4, 2009. The cast also features Kilty Reidy, as Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s best pal, dance teacher and manager. Mrs. Brice is played by Louisa Flaningam, The legendary Florenz Zeigfeld is portrayed by Gary Lemkueler, Dawn Newman plays Emma, Karen McDonald is Mrs. Strakosh and Mr. Keeney is played by Roger Preston Smith. The ensemble features: Mark Donaldson, Debi Guthery, Synthia Link, Benji Randall, Rusty Reynolds, Morgan Rose, Kimberly Schafer, Steve Schepis, Hayley Sharples, Karla Shook, Kent Zimmerman and Rye native, Darcy Yellin. The production is directed by WBT veteran, Donald E. Birely, with Michael Susko as Choreographer and Jeff Tanski is the Musical Director. The winning production team includes Stev
here’s a reason the Jule Styne-Bob Merril musical has never been revived on Broadway. The glossy slice of Ziegfeld comic star Fanny Brice’s life made 21-year-old Barbra Streisand an overnight sensation and turned “People” into a standard – and how many Streisands are there? But at the WBT, an off-Broadway vet named Jill Abramovitz more than earns her above-the-title billing. No Streisand here, but if you’re looking, you’ll find hints of Carol Burnett with a touch of Judy Garland around the face. From her opening line – “Hello, gorgeous” – to her final bow, Abramovitz gives Brice a powerful voice and the quirky, vulnerable personality of a performer confident only about her talent on stage. She belts, she cries, she tosses off asides with a Yiddish inflection and she makes you fall for her as hard as does Grant Norman’s Nick Arnstein, the good-looking gentleman gambler who wins her soul when all he wants is her heart. Sources:
