Arts & Entertainment

Bergen Native Stars in Funny Girl

Lauren Palmeri performs in Skyline Theatre Company's season opener.

Skyline Theatre Company launches their 12th season in October presenting the Broadway classic, "Funny Girl" starring Bergen County native Lauren Palmeri as the iconic diva, Fanny Brice.   

Fanny Brice had a career that spanned Vaudeville, The Ziegfeld Follies and Hollywood and led her to become one of the most celebrated entertainers of her time.  The musical, which famously launched Barbra Streisand’s career, follows Fanny as she rises from the Lower East Side to Broadway and finds the one man she’ll love, no matter what. Featuring the classic hit songs “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” "Funny Girl" comes to Skyline for a limited run October 11-13 at the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation in Fair Lawn.

Palmeri, originally from Glen Rock, returns home to Bergen County and Skyline Theatre Company from roles in the smash success national tours of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Elf. Palmeri’s regional credits include My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line (Diana Morales,) The Sound of Music (Leisl,) Carousel (Julie Jordan) and Skyline Theatre Company’s Pirates of Penzance. 

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Palmeri holds a BFA in musical theatre from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The cast also features Benjamin Lynch of New York as Eddie, Brad Grimmer of New York as Nick, Richard Maloy of Cedar Grove, as Flo Ziegfeld, and Sue Boland of Clifton, as Mrs. Brice.

The production will be directed by Skyline Artistic Director Sam Scalamoni and choreographed by Chandon Jones. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Duane McDevitt of Newark and Lighting Designer Ben Bauer. 

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“This is a beautiful American musical with themes that transcend time. This will be an intimate, evocative retelling of the iconic story,” says Scalamoni, one of the company’s founders. “We are thrilled to have such a talented Bergen County native taking on the classic role of Fanny Brice. Palmeri’s voice will electrify Fair Lawn.”

Skyline Theatre Company, “Broadway’s Home in Bergen County,” brings professional performers, designers, and staff from New York City and the surrounding area together to produce an exciting array of musicals and plays. The company is proud of its Artists in Focus program which brings professionals from Broadway and television into the classroom and an apprentice program that trains arts students with professionals while in production. Skyline is a proud associate member of the prestigious New Jersey Theatre Alliance and their board is comprised of a diverse group of artists, business people and educators who are committed to bring high quality theatre and programs to Bergen County.

"Funny Girl" runs October 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and October 12 and 13 at 2:00 p.m. at the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation in the Fair Lawn Community Center (10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn). Tickets are $28 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $18 for students.  To make reservations by phone, call 1-800-474-1299.  To purchase tickets online, visit www.skylinetheatrecompany.org.


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