'Funny Girl' opens May 10

 Lucky Penny Productions presents the rarely produced but classic musical “Funny Girl” May 10-19 at the historic Napa Valley Opera House.
“Funny Girl” is the story of legendary Fanny Brice, born in 1891 – about a decade after the Napa Valley Opera House opened in 1880.

While Fanny was growing up on the Lower East Side of New York and yearning for the stage, the Opera House played host to John Phillip Sousa’s band, and author Jack London reading from his works. “I can’t imagine a better place to bring this story to life, “said Director Barry Martin.

With some of the most memorable songs ever written for the stage – “People,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” “You Are Woman, I Am Man,” to name a few – “Funny Girl” combines a spectacular musical experience with the powerful story of Fanny Brice and her rocky relationship with the complicated Nick Arnstein.

Lucky Penny co-founder Taylor Bartolucci, most recently seen as Maria in “The Sound of Music,” moves into another iconic role as Fanny Brice.

Justin Siena High School graduate James D. Sasser, now working as a writer, performer and producer in New York, returns to Napa to in the role of Nick. In addition to credits with Manhattan Theatre Club, The Eugene O'Neill Center, The Goodspeed Opera House, The Vineyard Theatre, and Playwrights Horizons,

Sasser recently played the role of Nick Arnstein at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida. He appears courtesy of the Actors’ Equity Association.

“James and I and our Musical Director Diego did shows together when I was just a kid,” said Bartolucci, “and even then I dreamed of doing ‘Funny Girl.’ It’s amazing to have this chance to work with James on stage and Diego in the pit, right here in our hometown.”

“Funny Girl” also features the talents of nearly three dozen actors, musicians and technicians with Napa and Sonoma County roots - Kathryn Fletcher as Mrs. Brice, alongside the popular Barbara Nemko as Mrs. Strakosh; North Bay favorite Anthony Martinez as Eddie; with Michael Ross, Andrew Moore, Dan Monez, LC Smith, Dolly Grupalo, Kathryn Williams, Kit Grimm, Katie Kelley, Amber Marsh, Jessica Loesch, Alexis Pierce, Berkeley Rousseau, Travis Brown and Jorge Covarrubias rounding out the cast.

Diego Emir Garcia is the Musical Director, conducting an orchestra assembled by Ming Luke of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony, made up of professional musicians from the Bay Area alongside selected local Youth Symphony performers. Our Choreographer and Dance Captain is LC Smith. Assistant Director April George will also design Lighting.

Tickets for "Funny Girl" at the Napa Valley Opera House are available through www.nvoh.org, by calling 707-226-7372, or in person at the Opera House box office at 1030 Main St. Monday through Saturday from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

Lucky Penny Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is Napa Valley’s Premier Theatre Company, and has produced eight fully-staged plays and a variety of cabaret shows, staged readings and other entertainment events since its founding in 2009.

For more information and ticketing see www.luckypennynapa.com. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/luckypennynapa and follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/luckypennynapa.

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