THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
www.tuts.com

Presents

FUNNY GIRL


Darcie Roberts stars as Fanny Brice in Theatre Under The Stars premiere production of "FUNNY GIRL" through July 22, 2001 at the Wortham Center. For tickets call, 1-800-678-5440 or purchase them on-line at www.tuts.com. With music by Jule Styne, book by Isobel Lennart and lyrics by Bob Merrill, FUNNY GIRL includes some of the greatest hits of musical comedy: "PEOPLE," "DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE," and "I'M THE GREATEST STAR" among the most famous. Bruce Lumpkin, who staged MISS SAIGON, is the Director and Choreographer. Photo by Bruce Bennett.


 

THE WORTHAM CENTER

July 10 - 22, 2001

Houston, Texas --- Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), Houston's only professional musical theatre company, presents Broadway performer Darcie Roberts as FANNY BRICE in its premiere production of the Broadway smash - hit FUNNY GIRL, playing at the Wortham Center through July 22, 2001. Roberts was most recently seen co - starring with Tommy Tune in Busker Alley, as well as in Barry Manilow's Copacabana, where she earned a National Broadway Theatre Award nomination for her role as Lola. Since her Broadway debut in Crazy For You, Roberts has also appeared on Broadway in Dream.

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) has rescheduled the World Premiere production of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? into its 2002 Season. This musical version of the classic Henry Farrell novel, wihch also served as the basis for the famous Bette Davis / Joan Crawford movie, was scheduled to play the Wortham Center from July 10 - 22, and will now be replaced by the TUTS premiere of FUNNY GIRL.

To kick off its summer of musicals downtown, TUTS is mounting its first - ever production of the Broadway Smash - Hit FUNNY GIRL, which made a star of Barbra Streisand in 1964. FUNNY GIRL ran for 1,348 performances on Broadway before being made into a hit movie, for which Streisand won an Academy Award. Next season, FUNNY GIRL will have a major revival on London’s West End with a new production in the planning stages for Broadway.


Darcie Roberts (Fanny Brice) and Michael Piontek (Nick Arnstein) star in Theatre Under The Stars premiere production of "FUNNY GIRL" through July 22, 2001 at the Wortham Center. For tickets call, 1-800-678-5440 or purchase them on-line at www.tuts.com. Photo by Bruce Bennett.


One of the greatest love stories of the American musical theatre, FUNNY GIRL chronicles the true-life story of stage and screen’s ultimate comedienne, FANNY BRICE. From saloons, burlesque and vaudeville shows to the Ziegfeld Follies, movies and radio, Fanny Brice became a legendary name through her comedy act. Her tumultuous relationship with gangster Nicky Arnstein also gained her much notoreity.

With music by Jule Styne, book by Isobel Lennart and lyrics by Bob Merrill, FUNNY GIRL includes some of the greatest hits of musical comedy: “PEOPLE,” “DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE,” and “I’M THE GREATEST STAR” among the most famous. Bruce Lumpkin, who recently staged TUTS’ record-breaking production of MISS SAIGON, will again direct and choreograph.

TUTS President and CEO Frank Young stated, “WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? has been delayed for six months and is being rescheduled into our next season, because of design problems.”

The new musical, with book by Henry Farrell, music by Lee Pockriss and lyrics by Hal Hackady, was fully cast and ready to begin rehearsals in June for the Wortham Center world premiere when the creators and the production team determined the physical production needed to be totally reconceived. The Broadway - bound production - TUTS’ first since Jekyll & Hyde - includes an international production team headed by London director David Taylor, Broadway director - choreographer Dan Siretta, Broadway lighting designer and Richard Winkler, Broadway set designer Michael Anania and Broadway costume designer Eduardo Sicangco.

“Any revival of a classic musical comedy can hold to a firm production schedule,” said Young. “A new work is always in the process of development through many stages - from the writing, to a staged reading, to a workshop, to the design and creation of scenery, costumes and all the physical elements. At any point in the creative process one or more elements may cause a delay. The creators and I firmly believe that a few more months of development are needed to put the show into its final, audience - ready form.”

In addition to Roberts, FUNNY GIRL also features Michael Piontek (Nick Arnstein) who has appeared on Broadway as Cinderella's Prince / Wolf in Into the Woods, the Baron in Grand Hotel, and as a stand-by for Sting in The Three - Penny Opera; Bob Dorian (Florenz Ziegfeld), who is well - known as the "Matinee Classics" host on American Movie Classics and will appear in Woody Allen's next film; Michael Blake Tapley (Eddie Ryan), who appeared as Tommy last summer in the TUTS production of The Who's TOMMY; Marilyn Sokol (Mrs. Brice), who has appeared on Broadway in Grease and on TV's "Sex in the City"; and Louisa Flaningan (Mrs. Strakosh), who has appeared on Broadway in Damn Yankees and Guys and Dolls.

FUNNY GIRL ran for 1,348 performances on Broadway before being made into a hit movie, for which Barbra Streisand won an Academy Award. Next Season, FUNNY GIRL will have a major revival in London's West End with a new production in the planning stages for Broadway.

Single tickets for FUNNY GIRL ($19 - $76) are available on-line at www.tuts.com using TUTS’s E-Ticket System; by phone at 800-678-5440; in person at either TUTS box office, 2600 Southwest Freeway. (Weekdays 10am - 5:30pm, Saturdays 11am - 4pm), or Wortham box office (510 Preston, 10am to curtain on day of performance). Performances are 8pm, Tuesday - Friday; 2pm and 8pm, Saturday; and 2pm and 7:30pm, Sunday.

Production sponsors for FUNNY GIRL include Humphrey’s Foundation, El Paso Energy, Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Roberts, and Humana.

Theatre Under The Stars is Houston’s only professional musical theatre production company founded in 1968 by Frank M. Young. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and has since performed there each summer. Since its founding, TUTS has produced more than 200 major musicals including many local, national and world premieres and is currently represented on Broadway with Beauty and the Beast. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,000 students annually.


With music by Jule Styne, book by Isobel Lennart and lyrics by Bob Merrill, FUNNY GIRL includes some of the greatest hits of musical comedy: "PEOPLE," "DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE," and "I'M THE GREATEST STAR" among the most famous. Bruce Lumpkin, who staged MISS SAIGON, is the Director and Choreographer.


FACT SHEET
FUNNY GIRL

DATES: July 10 - 22, 2001

VENUE: Wortham Center (500 Texas Avenue)

SHOW TIMES: Tuesday - Friday, 8pm; Saturday 2pm & 8pm; Sunday 2pm & 7:30pm

PRESS NIGHT: Thursday, July 12, 2001

PRICES: Single tickets are $76 - $19

PURCHASE TICKETS:

Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-678-5440. Tickets are also available at TUTS Tix, 2600 Southwest Freeway (no service charge), at the Wortham Box Office or at any ticketmaster outlet. Tickets can also be bought and printed on-line using TUTS’ E-Ticket System at www.tuts.com.

SHOW DESCRIPTION:

“HELLO GORGEOUS!” One of the greatest love stories of the American Musical Theatre, FUNNY GIRL chronicles the life and loves of stage and screen’s ultimate comedienne, FANNY BRICE. From Saloons, Burlesque and Vaudeville shows to Ziegfeld’s Follies, movies and radio, Fanny Brice made a name for herself through her comedy act. Her tumultuous relationship with real - life gangster Nicky Arnstein also gained her much notoreity. Bruce Lumpkin, who previously directed and choreographed TUTS’ record - breaking production of Miss Saigon, will also serve as director - choreographer of TUTS’ first - ever production of FUNNY GIRL. FUNNY GIRL features such popular songs as “PEOPLE,” “DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE,” “THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE,” and “I’M THE GREATEST STAR.”

CAST BIOS

DARCIE ROBERTS as FANNY BRICE

Darcie Roberts was last seen co - starring with Tommy Tune in Busker Alley. Recently she starred as Lola in Barry Manilow's Copacabana earning a National Broadway Theatre Award nomination. Broadway: Crazy For You, Dream. Regional credits: Cabaret (Sally - Indy Award, Baby (Lizzie0 Drama Logue Award, Crazy For You (Polly) - Barrymore Award Nomination, 42nd Street (Peggy), My Fair Lady (Eliza) and many more. Darcie is married to actor Troy Magino.

MICHAEL PIONTEK as NICK ARNSTEIN

Michael Piontek has appeared on Broadway as Cinderella's Prince / Wolf in Into The Woods, the Baron in Grand Hotel, and as the stand - by for Sting in The 3 - Penny Opera. A member of the Circle Rep Company in New York, he has created roles in Reckless, Florida Crackers and Dalton's Back. In Los Angeles, Michael spend 3 years as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, and was seen as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. His film and tv credits include "Longtime Companion," "Jack of Hearts," "Knots Landing" and "Cybill." Michael has toured Japan as El Gallo in The Fantasticks, and has worked extensively in regional theater around the country, including starring roles in One Touch of Venus at the Goodspeed Opera House, Kiss Me Kate at Pittsburgh CLO, Gigi and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Northshore Music Theatre, and Brigadoon at Sacramento Music Circus. He has sung as a guest artist with several symphonies including San Antonio and Charlotte, and is a featured soloist on several CD's. Currently living in Las Vegas with his wife Paige O'Hara, Michael spent 2 years in EFX with Tommy Tune at the MGM Grand. He and Paige tour their own concert act From Belle to Broadway and are hoping to find their own room in Las Vegas.

BOB DORIAN as FLORENZ ZIEGFELD

Bob Dorian is happy to return to Houston's Theatre Under The Stars, where he was last seen as Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls. Recent other roles: Barrymore (John Barrymore) East Hampton, The Secret Garden (Ben Weatherstaff) Sacrament, The Wizard of Oz - National Tour (Uncle Henry, u.s. Mickey Rooney), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Gerald Lanyon) and Funny Girl (Flo Ziegfeld) at Paper Mill. On TV, Dorian is best remembered as the original host of "American Movie Classics," where he shared his love of film with the American Public for more than 16 years. Other TV Credits: Remember WENN (Mr. Medwick), "Ed" (Joe Hollenbeck). This August, Bob is featured with Dan Aykroyd, David Ogden Stiers and Helen Hunt in Woody Allen's latest comedy / mystery, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion."

BRUCE LUMPKIN - DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER

Bruce began his direction career as resident director for TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. This experience brought him to the attention of Director / Choreographer Tommy Tune. Under Tune's wing, and later as his collaborator, Bruce learned the ropes of the musical by overseeing his productions of My One and Only, Nine and Grand Hotel. Bruce advanced through the ranks and eventually found himself co - director of the acclaimed West End production of Grand Hotel. Bruce's Off - Broadway hit Summer '69 played to full houses at the Dougals Fairbanks Theatre on 42nd Street. Favorites: a revisionist look at Cabaret (for which he won the "Barrymore Award" for Best Director and Best Musical); the world premieres of Dodsworth starring Hal Linden and Grossinger starring Gavin Macleod. Bruce continues to develop new works - to name a few, a musical version of the film Time after Time, Honky Tonk Angel, The Patsy Cline Story and Tanny, a musical based on the wife of George Balanchine.