THEATER REVIEW

Gretna Theatre closes out its 2011 season with a bang.

"Funny Girl," the musical about Fanny Brice, which opened Thursday, is a knockout.

It's not a show that's done too often. Part of that may be because it's a bit old fashioned. Fanny Brice was a vaudeville star and the show, set before and after World War I, seems obsessed with her not being pretty enough and finding a husband instead of the ins and outs of her real life.

But perhaps the bigger problem is how deeply associated "Funny Girl" is with Barbra Streisand, who starred in the 1964 Broadway show and the 1968 film. "Funny Girl" made her a star and the show's signature songs, "People" and "Don't Rain on My Parade" are totally associated with her.

But Farah Alvin will put any thoughts of Ms. Streisand to rest. Her Fanny Brice is vulnerable, charismatic and funny. And boy can that woman sing!

She makes Fanny totally her own. This is not, in any way, an imitation of Streisand. She's got her own style, her own comic methods and a voice that soars.

When she sings "People" it belongs to her.

And she gives Fanny a sweet vulnerability that makes you like and understand her.

This is a big, belt 'em out performance, but Alvin knows how to keep it intimate. That's what makes her Fanny so great.

And she has good company on stage.

Samuel Perwin plays Nick Arnstein, the man who steals Fanny's heart.

Fanny is a comedienne who everyone notes isn't pretty enough to be a star but becomes one just the same.

Nick is a dashing, handsome gambler who wears a tuxedo almost the entire time, and sweeps her off her innocent feet.

Perwin is handsome and dashing with just enough mystery to make you wonder if he is all he seems. He and Alvin have nice chemistry together.

Carolann Page is a delight as Fanny's mother, who always has a wise comment to give her daughter. Page knows how to mine a laugh and she's got a lovely voice.

Rusty Reynolds plays Eddie Ryan, a song and dance man who introduces Fanny to Flo Ziegfeld, played by Jay Miffoluf, who is wonderfully gruff as the famed show man. Eddie falls for Fanny but she sees him as a friend and nothing more.

Reynolds is a fine, fluid dancer and he gives Eddie a big slice of charm. Unfortunately, the character isn't fleshed out too much. But it's a joy to watch Reynolds perform.

This is a big, sweeping show, with a large chorus. Choreographer Judy Williams Henry does a nice job, especially with the big dance numbers like "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat."

The show fits into Broadway biography conventions a little too primly, so some of the tension in the story never plays out.

But when you're hearing songs like "People" and "Don't Rain on My Parade," and the lovely "The Music That Makes Me Dance," (it was replaced by "My Man" in the movie), it doesn't matter. Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics) have written some terrific show tunes and the orchestra, directed by Louis F. Goldberg, sounds great.

I've got to give a special shout out to the cast and the orchestra . When I saw the show Thursday afternoon, it was a zillion degrees. The Gretna Playhouse is open air and it was sweltering.

I sat wilting in my seat, but everyone — and I mean everyone — on stage gave it their all, even when they were wearing fur coats and dancing up a storm.

It was amazing to see so much energy and professionalism up there on stage.

Here's hoping you go see the show, mainly to see the incredible Alvin but also the strong and fun supporting cast. And here's hoping it's a little cooler and less humid when you do. For your sake and theirs.

"Funny Girl" runs through July 31 at Gretna Theatre.

jholahan@lnpnews.com