FOX CHAPEL, Pa,None — With 13 songs, multiple dance numbers and countless lines to remember, becoming Ms. Fanny Brice didn't happen overnight for senior Hope Schaitkin. Months of preparation went into this "role of a lifetime" for this aspiring young actress.
"I watched the movie, studied her movements and practiced this New York accent for months," explained Schaitkin. "I'm Jewish and have a lot of family members from the New York area, so they were able to help me out with that too," she jokes.
Fox Chapel High School's production of "Funny Girl" is filled with everything you'd expect from a musical: constant set changes, elaborate costumes, full cast dance numbers and songs ranging from power ballad's to toe tapping, upbeat tunes.
The complicated storyline takes you through the life of Broadway film star and comedienne Fanny Brice and her relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein .
For a high school production, this show is an interesting choice considering the challenging and lengthy set list, adult themes (i.e. gambling problems and a troubled marriage) and a small cast of featured roles. But the cast, under the direction of Mr. Jim Lash was able to pull it off.
Lash says he didn't really choose the show, but rather the show chose him. "We've never done this one before, and I wanted to do something different."
This semi-biographical musical began as a series of taped interviews with Fanny Brice, called the "The Fabulous Fanny." It was then written into a screen-play and musical, featuring the one and only Barbara Streisand as the leading lady. With such a reputation following it, Schaitkin knew she had big shoes to fill.
"I've been studying theatre for most of my life. I just feel so lucky to be able to star in such a great production," said Schaitkin.
She was able to portray the essence of Ms. Fanny Brice to near perfection. The magnitude of this role is mind boggling to even think about, but Hope seemed more comfortable on stage than she did when I interviewed her at a rehearsal. She also has a very sweet and charming voice to match her incredible acting chops. I was very impressed by her entire performance and how she handled the pressure of carrying the show, considering almost every scene included her in some way.
But Ms. Schaitkin wasn't the only Schaitkin on the Fox Chapel stage this year. Her younger brother Simon, who played Eddie Ryan, joined his sister as one of the leading men.
In his role, Simon at one point had to hit on his own sister which he laughed about when telling me. "It's a little weird," he said with cheeks turning red, "but it's only for one scene, thank God."
Mr. Schaitkin is only a freshman, but like his sister, seemed completely at ease in front of an audience. He also is a great dancer, which was featured in several times throughout the show.
Senior Sonny Schaikin, who plays Fanny's love interest Nick Arnstein, is another actor worth noting. Charming both on and off stage, this young man took on this role with incredible maturity.
When I asked him why he enjoys performing in musicals, his answer was simple; "I just love being on stage," which is the only reason why anyone should be performing on any stage if you ask me.
Rounding off the strong cast of leads is senior Margaux Deverin, who plays Mrs. Brice. In one of the more comedic roles of the entire show, Deverin is a stand-out.
I really enjoyed the full cast numbers and the number of different styles of dance incorporated into the show. Choreographer Charmagne Bossola and her daughter Brittany Bossola did an excellent job with incorporating partner work into many of the dances and getting the entire cast into tap shoes for the "Rat Tat Tat" number.
The sound system inside the Fox Chapel auditorium could use an upgrade. Some microphone problems and a hollow sound coming from the two small speakers in the front of the auditorium were a bit distracting. For a school with over 100 students involved in the musical problem, the school district should fork over some cash for those improvements.
Overall though, "Funny Girl" is a solid show. I would not recommend this show for younger audience members, but think it would be a great night out for just mom and dad.
The Fox Chapel Area High School spring musical, "Funny Girl," will be performed March 18, 19, and 20, 2010, in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m., and March 21 in the high school auditorium at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 each and all seats are reserved.
Review written by WPXI freelancer, Shannon Peluso. She can be reached speluso@wpxi.com