“I just loved the musical and thought with the incredibly talented group we have in Sleepy Eye, we should do it,” said Hirschboeck.

He talked about leading lady Samarah Forster in the musical loosely based on the life and career of comedienne Fanny Brice and her relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein (Caleb Siefkes).

“She (Forster) has an incredible voice. She’s usually directing musicals, but now she finally gets to shine as an actress,” said Hirschboeck.

Forster talked about the story in Funny Girl.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Fanny Brice (Samarah Forster), left, and Eddie Ryan (Joey Daly) take stage in Funny Girl, presented June 26-29 by Sleepy Eye Community Theater in St. Mary’s Auditorium.

“It’s about heartbreak. I think everyone can relate to that,” she said.

It’s her first acting role since she was in West Side Story in 2022. That was her first acting gig since her college days at Christopher Newport University in Virginia in 2006.

“This process has just been amazing. It’s an incredible cast to work with,” she said.

“Ginger Heiderscheidt (Mrs. Meeker) has been singing for 50 years, but this is her first time on stage,” said Hirschboeck.

“I’ve never done this before, but I’ve always wanted to. I’ve been singing in churches since I was a little girl. I’ve danced too. I loved that, but this is the best experience I’ve ever had. I love it. This is my happy place. I encourage everyone to try this at least once,” said Heiderscheidt.

Set builder Dakota Krumrey drives a truck during the day but says he enjoys working with the theater group.

“I just like the ability to use all my skills to take George’s ideas and turn them into reality on the stage. Some things in this show were a bit more difficult to build. We have a 16-foot, rotating stage and a big marquee with lights. It should be a fun show,” he said.

Benjamin Seifert (Tom Keeney), said he likes the music and dancing in the story of Fanny Brice and enjoys his role as a property owner.

“I enjoy being on stage playing somebody different. It’s a fun thing for me to do outside the farm,” said Seifert.

Reserve tickets can be purchased 3-5 p.m., June 16-19 at Flo Dance Co., downtown Sleepy Eye or scan the theater code. General tickets will be available at the door, one hour prior to performances — 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 26-28 and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29. Adults are $12. Seniors and student tickets are $8.

The cast includes Samarah Forster, Jose Castorena, Rosie Molenaar, Janet Holm, Mary Berdan, Ginger Heiderscheidt, Benjamin Seifert, Joey Daly, Josiah Siefkes, Austin Forster, Priscilla Martinez, Megan Sellner, Greta Siefkes, Kristina Marti, Bailey Krumrey, Caleb Siefkes, Matthew Sellner, Lucia Martinez, Shayna Huhnerkoch, Kristina Marti, Ruby Lopez, Leah Miller, Anna Johnson and Tanner Dorschner.

Showgirls are Stephanie Fernandez, Kamille Capacia, Katalina Gonzalez, Shayna Huhnerkoch, Ruby Lopez, Camryn Maher, Leisha Martinez, Lucia Martinez, Priscilla Martinez, Leah Miller, Rosie Molenaar, Megan Sellner and Greta Siefkes.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Mrs. Strakosh (Mary Berdan), left, Mrs. Brice (Janet Holm), center, and Mrs. Meeker (Ginger Heiderscheidt) play cards in Funny Girl, on stage June 26-29 in St. Mary’s Auditorium. Staff photo by Fritz Busch Mrs. Strakosh (Mary Berdan), left, Fanny Brice (Samarah Forster), center, and Mrs. Meeker (Ginger Heiderscheidt) perform in Funny Girl. The 1968 American biographical musical will be performed by Sleepy Eye Community Theater June 26-29.