Drew Hedges

Local ‘Greatest Star’ in Footlite ‘Funny Girl’

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By Wendy Carson

The musical “Funny Girl” and Barbra Streisand are so connected in most people’s minds that it’s honestly hard to picture anyone else in the part. After all, Fanny Brice was a force of nature. She grew up as an ordinary girl with an amazing voice and acting ability. Though constantly reminded that she was no great beauty (we wish to differ – Google her photos), her ambition and talent kept her going and made her a star.

Considering that the title role is onstage most of the show’s duration and carries the majority of the musical numbers (including two of Barbra’s biggest hits), this role is also a star-maker.

The performance of Kennedy Wilson (who sort of resembles the real Brice) in Footlite Musicals’ current production proves that she is an equivocal force to be reckoned with. She brings out the sweet, bitter, and triumphant feelings of each word she utters. I am honestly so glad to have witnessed her tour-de-force in this role.

Director Kevin Bell really struck gold casting Wilson, as well as the rest of the cast in this spectacular production. Looking and sounding sharp are Drew Hedges as steady friend Eddie, Graham Brinklow as Fanny’s first producer, Tom Keeney, Andrew Ranck as the immortal Flo Ziegfeld, and Aaron Mann as Nicky Armstein, the hard-luck gambler who won Fanny’s heart. Back home on Henry Street, Miki Mathioudakis is Mama Brice, with Adrienne Reiswerg as “auntie” Mrs. Strakosh.

Bell also choreographs, with Katie Van Den Heuvel; Yolanda Valdivia is assistant director; Jeremy Kaylor conducts the orchestra. Sets are by Bell and Jerry Beasley, costumes by Etta Biloon.

The musical, by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill with book by Isobel Lennart, is based on Brice’s rise to fame as “The Greatest Star” and her quest to be as successful at love as she was on stage. Whether this is familiar to you or new, this production is enjoyable as well as inspiring, Wilson’s Brice a portrait of unflagging persistent optimism. No “rain on [her] parade” for sure.

Hey theatre patron, here she is! “Funny Girl” has two weekends, running through March 22 at the Hedback Theater, 1847 N. Alabama St. in downtown Indianapolis. Tickets and info at footlite.org.

Pen-pal pandemonium at Buck Creek Players

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By John Lyle Belden

Buck Creek Players lifts our spirits with a fun production of the classic rom-com musical, “She Loves Me.”

This 1960s Broadway hit by Joe Masteroff, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, is based on the 1937 play “Parfumerie” by Miklos Laszlo, which also inspired the 1998 movie “You’ve Got Mail.” Directed for BCP by Drew Bryson, its setting in 1930s Budapest, Hungary, feels like any European or American major city in a gentler time.

Maraczek’s perfume shop prides itself on its service, including a warm greeting, swift attention to returns and complaints, and even singing you out the door with your purchase. The staff includes neurotic family man Sipos (Phil Criswell), suave ladies’ man Kodaly (Troy Bridges), hopeless romantic Ilona (Miranda Boyle [nèe Nehrig]), eager delivery boy Arpad (Colton Woods), and introverted assistant manager Georg Nowack (Bobby Haley).

On a summer day, owner Mr. Maraczek (Darrin Gowan) brings to the shop a selection of musical cigarette boxes, which Georg fears will never sell. The boss declares they will, and bets him that one will be sold within the hour. Moments later, a young woman, Amalia Balash (Jenna MacNulty), nervously asks for a job at the shop. After being told there are no openings, she quickly talks a customer into purchasing a music box, convincing her it’s for holding sweets.

Amalia is hired; Georg is annoyed. While they bitterly bicker through the coming months, neither knows that they are anonymously writing romantic letters to each other through a lonely-hearts club. The “Dear Friends” of their correspondence plan a first-time in-person rendezvous in December. Looks like they are in for a holiday surprise!

Supporting in roles including shop customers, as well as discreet diners at a cozy café, are Zach Bucher, Drew Hedges, Elizabeth Huston, Sheila Raghavendran, Josh Rooks, Derek Savick-Hesser, Lizzie Schultz, and Lauren Bowers Werne.

Like a well-run parfumerie, this is an excellent ensemble performance. Each of the shop workers, including Gowan’s Maraczek, get moments to shine. We even get a personal-growth arc with Ilona, which Boyle brings out beautifully. On the other hand, Bridges keeps Kodaly cool but difficult to like, his bad-boy persona more than a facade. Criswell keeps Sipos’s nobility hidden, but it’s not hard to detect. High-schooler Woods maintains Arpad’s boyish charm as he matures before our eyes.

Haley shines as his Georg sorts out what he wants, struggling with confidence as events turn out nothing like he expected. As Amalia, MacNulty is simply brilliant – beautiful and powerful in voice and personality. We can’t wait to see how these two finally get together, though, as always with such stories it won’t be easy.

Content is no worse than PG, though there is an instance of self-harm.

Kelsey McDaniel is assistant director. Meg Benedict leads the 12-piece orchestra. Andy Riggs is vocal director. Choreography is by Justin Sheedy. Kayla Richardson is stage manager, assisted by Olivia Lawson.

With lots of laughs and sweet as vanilla ice cream, fall in love with “She Loves Me,” performances Friday through Sunday, Oct. 17-19, at Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern  Ave. (Acton Road exit off I-74), Indianapolis. Get info and tickets at buckcreekplayers.com.