'Funny Girl' production at SCERA is lively, enjoyable and fast-paced

"FUNNY GIRL," SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, daily except Wednesdays and Sundays through June 21 (801-225-2787); running time: 2 hours 45 minutes (one intermission)

OREM — Given the natural elements stacked up against it on Saturday night, the SCERA production of "Funny Girl" came out a winner, despite the threat of rain, medical helicopters flying overhead, booming fireworks in the background and a couple of wardrobe malfunctions.

It's always a good sign if a show that's overlong doesn't feel that way, and that's the case with this one.

The music keeps things moving. The actors are into their roles and the pace is snappy enough.

Bethany Simmons is outstanding as Fanny Brice.

She has the moves, the look and the voice to carry it off — not easy to do when you're competing with Barbara Streisand, the legend who made the part and the signature songs famous.

Richard Losee plays Nicky Arnstein, the love interest, and although there's definitely an age gap between the two leads, they sell the relationship.

(Losee is a very reserved actor, and perhaps he holds his emotions too much in check, But hey, he's tall, dark and handsome.)

The supporting cast is also talented with Mrs. Brice (played by Delayne Dayton), Mrs. Strakosh (played by Camee Faulk), Mrs. Meeker (played by Cathy Frisby) and Mrs. O'Malley (played by Heather Burgess) keeping things lively.

The set, made up of a number of simple, portable turn-around pieces, provides a good, unobtrusive backdrop for this story of romance, riches and regrets.

The costumes are fine and nicely detailed to fit the era.

There are only a couple of minor things that were distracting and hopefully one-time problems: the large tattoo on the back of one of the Ziegfeld dancers should be covered with makeup, Brice's cleavage in the low-cut dress is way white (how about tanning a little lower or raising the neckline?) and one of the male leads forgot to zip it up for an entire dance number.

The sound also reverberates badly — at least on the front rows.

Otherwise, the show is entertaining and enjoyable.

You'll come out humming Streisand.

e-mail: haddoc@desnews.com