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Show D6 The Salt Lake Tribune ARTS Sunday, June 24, 2001 ‘FunnyGirl’ Producer Wants Audiences to Let Go of Streisand,Embi BY CELIA R.BAKER THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE ” Philip Himberg, artistic di- rector of the Sundance Theatre Program, says that when he broughtup the musical “Funny Girl” before a group of young actors, one said, “Oh,that’s the Barbra Streisandstory,right?” It's a fair question, since Streisand’s star-making turn in the 1964 Broadway musical launched own her career, but when Himberg replied that the showis about FannyBrice, the next question FannyBrice?” was, “Who's Says Himberg,“I panicked.” “T have a greatlove for the- ater history. It made me sad that FannyBrice as anartist andperformer had been forgot- Michael Nouri as Nick Amstein and Judy Blazer as look at the play andsee if we could re-create for a new generation the biography of this great woman — the mold from ten. I made it my mission to Fanny Brice in Sundance Theatre's production of “Funny Girl.” Arnstein is portrayed as the which so many other perform- almost-innocent dupe of dis- ers modeled themselves. If it wasn’tfor FannyBrice,the first great comedienne/torch singer, I don’t think there would have been Betty Hutton, Carole Lombard, Carol Burnett, Luci- honest friends — although the real Nick was an inveterate swindler who was convicted andjailed twice during his relationship with Fanny. “Funny Girl,” is fascinated Sundance Theatre's production of “Funny Girl” opens with the “memory play” concept written into the script. The color, but when she enters her memory, she walks among Blazer says that learning about Brice confirmed wha’ Brice is played by JudyBlazer, “Hello Again.” “I knew [Blazer] could personify Fanny and remove the Streisand shadow, making the show more truthful to the personality of Fanny Brice,” says Himberg. Reviewers in 1964 praised Streisand’s brilliant _perfor- DRAPER JO LENE * 441 WEST 12300 SOUTH # DRAPER # 801-553-0810 (COTTONWOOD JO LENE © 4835 SOUTH HIGHLAND DR, SUITE DS * HOLLADAY © 801-278-6966. TAYLORSVILLE JO LENE © 5556 SOUTH REDWOOD RD © TAYLORSVILLE (OPENING JUNE 12TH) CLOTHES Teo! PROVO JO LENE # 2255 NORTH UNIVERSITY PARKWAY, SUITE 37 © 801-371-0475 (NEW OREM STORE COMING JO LENE © 1360 SOUTH SAND HILL RD * OREM, UT 84058 Arnstein,is played by Michael who performed in the original Broadway. productions of “Titanic,” “Me and My Girl” and You wore it, Your daugtherwore it, now your granddaughter can wearJo Lene’s too! yaw LAYTON JO LENE ¢ 957 NORTH MAIN ST., SUITE A * LAYTON © 801-497-0551 the charming con-man Nick Nouri. On Broadway, he starred opposite Julie Andrews in “Victor/Victoria. Fanny 37 Years of CustomerSatisfaction ‘Prom and Proper’ for three generations. Himberg, who is directing lle Ball —orBarbraStreisand.” Saturday. Fanny's husband, tant ble’ that appears, rem: us that we're looking back from a certain perspective.’ ive.” Himberg worked with set designer Peter Dean Beck to blend in locations in Fanny’s memory. “We. designed 10 big flats that are the“brick walls of a theater, and i imbedded in them of New Yorkof that period — the Grand Theater in 1905, the LowerEast Side, Coney Island. As the walls are reassembled, they become the dressing room, or Fanny’s house, or the theater,” says Himberg. VISIT ANY OF OUR STORES & ENTER TO Wit FREE!!! TASTE THE GREAT TASTE OF OUR Grilled Chicken — SACHETS, Salad STOP IN TODAY — JOLENE’S DRESSES OR — BEAUTIFUL PORCELAIN DOLLS mance in the show, but some noted the odd choice to subvert Brice’s personality into that of Streisand’s. “The show wasn’t written for Streisand,” says Blazer. “We have tolet go of Barbra. Get over it. We've tried to go backtoa style that captures the teens rather than the ’60s, and tells the story that’s written.” Brice was born in 1891 and grew up in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. She won an amateur contest at 15, and three years later Irving Berlin gave her a specialty number, “Sadie Salome Go Home.” The song brought her notice as a “Yid- c. Veseret news dish dialectician” —a brandof comedy she was to perfect on her way to becoming a megastar. She ie a comedy headliner of the Ziegfield Follies and — as radio character Baby Snooks — a household name. ; The original “Funny Girl” was produced by Ray Stark, Brice’s son-in-law, and its script tiptoes around the less pleasantaspects of Brice’s life — and, especially, Arnstein’s. c= oa ae " = Board Certified in Family Practice Medical Degree: Georgetown University @ Residency: University of Colorado Special Interests: Women’s Health Se Pediatrics Preventative Medicine Pleasecall (801) 350-4479 to schedule an appointment < Moreau Medical Center 1002 EastSouth Temple Suite 407 Salt Lake City, UT 84102 We’re tearing down walls and gearing up for our major remodel. Take advantage of “down & dirty & dusty” deals on furniture and accessories. Hurry in for incredible savings and best selection. SAVE UP TO 75%! SALE ENDS JUNE 30TH, STORE WILL BE CLOSEDJULY 1ST - 47H FOR REMODEL, WATcH ror OUR GRAND R&-OPENING! eos AU Meee Oye lome ‘Providing healthcare forall ages. 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