Funny Girl – Musical

Memorabilia Available Here

Funny Daughter  is a musical that opened on Broadway in 1964. The book was by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of Broadway star, film actress and comedian Fanny Brice featuring her stormy human relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. Its original title wasMy Man.

The musical was produced by Ray Stark, who was Brice's son-in-constabulary via his union to her daughter Frances, and starred Barbra Streisand. The production was nominated for eight Tony Awards just, facing tough contest fromHowdy, Dolly!, information technology failed to win in any categories. The original bandage recording ofFunny Girl was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.

Funny Girl - Musical

Back Story

Ray Stark had deputed an authorized biography of Brice, based on taped recollections she had dictated, merely was unhappy with the issue. Information technology eventually cost him $l,000 to stop publication ofThe Fabulous Fanny, every bit it had been titled past the author. Stark then turned to Ben Hecht to write the screenplay for a biopic, only neither Hecht nor the ten writers who succeeded him were able to produce a version that satisfied Stark. Finally, Isobel Lennart submittedMy Man, which pleased both Stark and Columbia Pictures executives, who offered Stark $400,000 plus a percentage of the gross for the property.[1]

Subsequently reading the screenplay, Mary Martin contacted Stark and proposed it be adjusted for a phase musical. Stark discussed the possibility with producer David Merrick, who suggested Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim compose the score. Sondheim told Styne, "I don't want to practise the life of Fanny Brice with Mary Martin. She's not Jewish. You need someone ethnic for the part." Presently after, Martin lost interest in the project and backed out.[2]

Merrick discussed the project with Jerome Robbins, who gave the screenplay to Anne Bancroft. She agreed to play Brice if she could handle the score. Merrick suggested Styne interact with Dorothy Fields, merely the composer was not interested. He went to Palm Beach, Florida, for a calendar month and composed music he thought Bancroft would exist able to sing. While he was at that place, he met Bob Merrill, and he played the five melodies he already had written for him. Merrill agreed to write lyrics for them; these included "Who Are You Now?" and "The Music That Makes Me Dance." Styne was happy with the results and the two men completed the rest of the score, then flew to Los Angeles to play it for Stark, Robbins, and Bancroft, who was at odds with Merrill because of an before personal conflict. She listened to the score, so stated, "I want no part of this. It'south non for me."[2]

With Bancroft out of the film, Eydie Gormé was considered, but she agreed to play Brice only if her husband Steve Lawrence was cast equally Nick Arnstein. Since they thought he was wrong for the role, Stark and Robbins approached Carol Burnett, who said, "I'd beloved to practice it only what y'all need is a Jewish girl." With options running out, Styne idea Barbra Streisand, whom he remembered fromI Tin Get It for You Wholesale, would be perfect. She was performing at the Bon Soir in Greenwich Village and Styne urged Robbins to come across her. He was impressed and asked her to audition. Styne subsequently recalled, "She looked atrocious … All her apparel were out of austerity shops. I saw Fran Stark staring at her, obvious distaste on her face." Despite his wife's objections, Stark hired Streisand on the spot.[ii]

Robbins had an argument with Lennart and told Stark he wanted her replaced considering he thought she was non capable of adapting her screenplay into a viable book for a phase musical. Stark refused and Robbins quit the projection.[2]

Funny Girl temporarily was shelved, and Styne moved on to other projects, includingFade Out – Fade In for Carol Burnett. Then Merrick signed Bob Fosse to directFunny Girl, and work began on information technology again, until Fosse quit and the show went into limbo for several months. Then Merrick suggested Stark hire Garson Kanin. Information technology was Merrick'south last contribution to the production; shortly afterwards he bowed out, and Stark became sole producer.[2]

Streisand was not enthusiastic about Kanin as a manager and insisted she wanted Robbins dorsum, especially after Kanin suggested "People" be cut from the score because it didn't fit the graphic symbol. Streisand already had recorded the song for a single release, and Merrill insisted, "It has to be in the show considering it'southward the greatest thing she's e'er done." Kanin agreed to let it remain based on audience reaction to it. By the fourth dimension the show opened in Boston, people were so familiar with "People" they applauded information technology during the overture.[ii]

At that place were problems with the script and score throughout rehearsals, and whenFunny Girl opened at the Shubert Theatre in Boston it was too long, even though thirty minutes already had been cut. The critics praised Streisand but disliked the prove. Lennart continued to edit her volume and deleted some other 30 minutes before the show moved to Philadelphia, where critics thought the testify could be a hit if the libretto problems were rectified.[2]

The New York opening was postponed 5 times while actress weeks were played out of town.Funny Girl ended up playing two tryout periods in Philadelphia, at the Forrest and Erlanger theaters. Five songs were cutting, and "You Are Woman", a solo for Sydney Chaplin, was rewritten as a counterpoint duet. Streisand was all the same unhappy with Kanin and was pleased when Robbins returned to oversee the choreography by Ballad Haney.[2]

Kanin's novelNail is based loosely on his experience directingFunny Girl.

Plot

The musical is set in and effectually New York City just prior to and following World State of war I.Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice, awaiting the return of her husband, Nicky Arnstein, from prison, reflects on their life together, and their story is told as a flashback.

Act I

Fanny is a stage-struck teen who gets her showtime job in vaudeville. Her mother and her friend Mrs. Strakosh endeavour to dissuade her from show business considering Fanny is not the typical beauty ("If a Girl Isn't Pretty"). But Fanny perseveres ("I'm the Greatest Star") and is helped and encouraged by Eddie Ryan, a dancer she meets in the vaudeville shows. Once Fanny'due south career takes off, Eddie and Mrs. Brice lament that once she's on Broadway she'll forget about them ("Who Taught Her Everything?"). Fanny performs a supposedly romantic number in the Follies, but she turns it into a classic comic routine, ending the number as a pregnant bride ("His Love Makes Me Beautiful"), causing an uproar.

She meets the sophisticated and handsome Nick Arnstein, who accompanies Fanny to her female parent's opening night political party on "Henry Street". Fanny is clearly falling in beloved with Nick, while acknowledging their complex vulnerabilities ("People"). Later they meet in Baltimore and have a private dinner at a swanky restaurant and declare their feelings ("You Are Adult female"). Fanny is determined to marry Nick, regardless of his gambling past ("Don't Rain on My Parade").

Human activity Ii

They do marry and move to a mansion on Long Island ("Sadie, Sadie"). In the meantime, Mrs. Strakosh and Eddie suggest to Miss Brice that she should discover a man to marry, now that her daughter is supporting her ("Detect Yourself a Man"). Fanny has get a major star with the Ziegfeld Follies ("Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat"). Nick asks Ziegfeld to invest in a gambling casino, but although Ziegfeld passes, Fanny insists on investing. When the venture fails and they lose their money, Fanny tries to make light of information technology, which propels Nick to get involved in a shady bail deal, resulting in his arrest for embezzlement. Fanny feels helpless but stronger than ever in her beloved for him ("The Music That Makes Me Dance").

In the present, Fanny is waiting for Nick to arrive and has time to reverberate on her situation. Nick arrives, newly released from prison, and he and Fanny decide to dissever. She is heartbroken, only resolves to pick up her life over again ("Don't Rain on My Parade, Reprise").

Bandage Broadway

Original Broadway cast – Wintertime Garden Theatre (1964)

  • Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice
  • Sydney Chaplin as Nicky Arnstein
  • Roger DeKoven as Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
  • Joseph Macauley as Tom Keeney
  • Kay Medford every bit Mrs. Brice
  • Danny Meehan as Eddie Ryan
  • Jean Stapleton as Mrs. Strakosh
  • John Lankston as Adolph and the Ziegfeld Tenor
  • Lainie Kazan as Vera – Showgirl

Funny Girl Images

Full Broadway Cast and Product

Mar 10, 1964 - Jun 19, 1965

Mar 10, 1964 - Dec 25, 1965

I of Two Stunning Showgirls

I of Two Stunning Showgirls

Replacements

Dec 27, 1965 - Jul 01, 1967

Dec 27, 1965 - Jul 01, 1967

Imperial Theatre(Mar fourteen, 1966 - November 26, 1966)

Cast

One of 2 Stunning Showgirls

Ane of Two Stunning Showgirls

Broadway Theatre(Nov 28, 1966 - Jul 01, 1967)

Cast

One of Two Stunning Showgirls

LaChanze

"I Want To Be Seen With You Tonight"; "Nicky Arnstein #ii"

"Henry Street" Featured Vocalist

"Henry Street" Featured Singer

One of Two Stunning Showgirls

"Henry Street" Featured Singer

One of Two Stunning Showgirls

Produced for the Broadway stage by Ray Stark; Original Production Directed by Garson Kanin

Productions

Broadway

Later seventeen previews, the Broadway production opened on March 26, 1964, at the Winter Garden Theatre, afterwards transferring to the Royal Theatre and The Broadway Theatre, where it closed on July 1, 1967, to complete its total run of ane,348 performances. The musical was directed by Garson Kanin and choreographed by Carol Haney under the supervision of Jerome Robbins. In addition to Streisand and Chaplin, the original bandage included Kay Medford, Danny Meehan, Jean Stapleton, and Lainie Kazan, who also served equally Streisand'south understudy. Later in the run, Streisand and Chaplin were replaced by Mimi Hines and Johnny Desmond, and Hines' husband and comedy partner Phil Ford also joined the bandage.

Westward Cease

Streisand reprised her role in the W End product at the Prince of Wales Theatre directed by Lawrence Kasha, which opened on 13 Apr 1966. When Streisand became pregnant and had to drop out of the show, her understudy, Lisa Shane, wife ofThe Italian Job director Peter Collinson, took over, and continued to perform until the prove airtight.

Australia

The Australasian premiere flavour commenced March 4, 1966, at the Her Majesty'due south Theatre, Sydney. The production starred Jill Perryman every bit Fanny Brice, Bruce Barry as Nicky Arnstein, Evie Hayes equally Mrs. Brice, and Bill Yule equally Eddie Ryan.[3]

In 1999, The Production Visitor producedFunny Girl at the Arts Center Melbourne, starring Caroline O'Connor and Nancye Hayes.[4] The production was revived in 2016, with O'Connor and Hayes reprising their roles.[5]

A concert version was staged at the Sydney Opera Firm from July 12–14, 2018. The function of Fanny Brice on stage was shared past: Michala Banas, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Casey Donovan, Virginia Gay, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Dami Im, Maggie McKenna, Zahra Newman, Caroline O'Connor, Queenie van de Zandt and Megan Washington. The show also starred Trevor Ashley, Nancye Hayes and Don Hany equally Nick Arnstein.[6]

North American Tours

The First National Tour gave top billing to Lillian Roth as Mrs. Brice, Anthony George every bit Nicky and Marilyn Michaels tertiary billed every bit Fanny.[7]

A 1996 Us National tour starred Debbie Gibson as Fanny Brice and Robert Westenberg as Nicky Arnstein. The planned 30-city tour started in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October 1996, but ended prematurely in November 1996 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.[8] [9] [10] [11]

West Finish Revival

A new London production opened at the Menier Chocolate Mill on November 20, 2015, in previews, officially on December 2, for a express run to March v, 2016; making information technology the show's start total-scale revival ever. The product stars Sheridan Smith and Darius Campbell as Nick, with direction by Michael Mayer, and a revised book by Harvey Fierstein.[12] [13] The entire run sold out within a day, making it the Menier's fastest selling prove on record. Following this, the evidence transferred to London's Savoy Theatre on April nine, 2016, for a run through to September 10, 2016.[14] The prove subsequently extended until October viii due to phenomenal public need.[15] Nevertheless, Smith became indisposed on April 28, 2016, and the show was halted xv minutes in. She was replaced by her understudy, Natasha J Barnes,[16] who continued to play the part until Smith's eventual render on July 8.[17] [18]

A UK tour of the Menier production began in February 2017, at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.[19] [xx] Later very favourable reviews, both Smith and Barnes returned to the role of Fanny Brice and alternative venues throughout the UK tour.[21]

Broadway Revival

A revival production is set to open up on Broadway on March 26, 2022 at the Baronial Wilson Theatre, starring Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice and directed by Michael Mayer. The product will also star Ramin Karimloo as Nicky Arnstein and Jane Lynch equally Mrs. Brice.

Paris

A Paris production opened in November 2019 at Théâtre Marigny, directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear and featuring Christina Bianco every bit Fanny.[22] The evidence received unanimous rave reviews, with significant praise for Bianco. The production was extended, doubling its initial run dates.[23]

Other Productions

On September 23, 2002, a concert version for the do good of the Actors' Fund was staged in New York Urban center at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Performers included Carolee Carmello, Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster, Ana Gasteyer, Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Krakowski, Judy Kuhn, Julia Murney, LaChanze, Ricki Lake, Andrea Martin, Idina Menzel, Bebe Neuwirth, Kaye Ballard, Alice Playten, Lillias White, Len Cariou, Peter Gallagher, Gary Beach, and The Rockettes.[24] [25]

In regional theatre the Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Bailiwick of jersey product ran in Apr to May 2001 with Leslie Kritzer and Robert Cuccioli. TheNew York Times reviewer noted: "What makes it all the more impressive is that few actors, or theater companies outside of summer stock, dare to attempt Jule Styne'southward and Bob Merrill's grand spectacle that propelled Barbra Streisand's career nigh 40 years ago."[26] The Westchester Broadway Theatre production ran from March to June 2009, with Jill Abramovitz as Fanny.[27] The Drury Lane Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois production ran from December 2009 to March vii, 2010. Gary Griffin was the co-managing director with Drury Lane creative director William Osetek, with the bandage that featured Sara Sheperd.[28]

A revival directed by Bartlett Sher had been appear to premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in January 2012[29] with Lauren Ambrose starring equally Fanny Brice and Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein,[xxx] and so open on Broadway in April 2012.[31] However, on November 3, 2011, producer Bob Boyett appear that this production has been postponed. He said "We take made the extremely difficult decision today to postpone our production ofFunny Girl. Given the current economic climate, many Broadway producing investors have found information technology impossible to maintain their standard level of financial commitment."[32]

The get-go lavish Israeli production of the musical premiered in 2016, 52 years after the original Broadway premiere. At that place was a controversy about the casting for the role of Fanny Brice. The role was promised for actress Tali Oren, who is a freelanced actress, simply and then the role was offered to Mia Dagan who is signed with Beit Lessin Theatre. Dagan, who jumped on the opportunity in the get-go minute, took the role and signed off the contract with Beit Lessin. The production likewise included Amos Tamam as Nicky Arnstein.

Cast Album

Streisand'south characterization, Columbia Records, declined to produce the bandage album, so Capitol Records released it. It peaked at #2 on theBillboard 200 and achieved gold record condition. The recording was issued on CD in 1987 on Capitol and then in 1992 on EMI'southward Broadway Affections characterization. The album received a commemorative 50th Anniversary edition which was released on April 29, 2014. The box set up includes an LP of the cast album besides as a remastered CD and a 48-page soft-cover collector'south book full of photographs of the original Broadway production.

Musical Numbers

Original Productions

Revival Productions

Critical Response

In its review of the original Broadway production, the New York Times praised Streisand'south performance and the parts of the evidence focused on Brice's career, simply criticized the "sentimentality" of the romance betwixt Brice and Arnstein.[33]

Funny Girl - Musical

Awards and Nominations

Original Broadway Production

Year Award Category Nominee Consequence
1964 Tony Honor Best Musical Nominated
All-time Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Sydney Chaplin Nominated
Best Functioning by a Leading Actress in a Musical Barbra Streisand Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Danny Meehan Nominated
All-time Operation past a Featured Actress in a Musical Kay Medford Nominated
All-time Choreography Ballad Haney Nominated
All-time Composer and Lyricist Jule Styne and Bob Merrill Nominated
Best Producer of a Musical Ray Stark Nominated

2016 Westward End Production

Year Award Category Nominee Effect
2016 Evening Standard Theatre Accolade[34] [35] Best Musical Performance Sheridan Smith Nominated
2017 Whatsonstage.com Awards Best Musical Revival Won
Best Actress in a Musical Sheridan Smith Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical Joel Montague Nominated
All-time Direction Michael Mayer Nominated
Best Costume Design Matthew Wright Nominated
Laurence Olivier Award[36] Best Musical Revival Nominated
All-time Actress in a Musical Sheridan Smith Nominated

Film Accommodation

The 1968 namesake screen adaptation, directed by William Wyler, paired Streisand with Omar Sharif in the role of Arnstein. Medford repeated her stage role, and Walter Pidgeon was cast as Flo Ziegfeld. The picture show won Streisand the University Award for All-time Actress, an honor she shared with Katharine Hepburn forThe Lion in Winter, every bit well as the Gilt Globe. The picture, which was nominated for the University Honor for All-time Picture and several other awards, was the acme-grossing film of 1968.

References

  1. Herman, Jan (1995). A Talent for Trouble: The Life of Hollywood's Nigh Acclaimed Director . New York: M.P. Putnam. ISBN0-399-14012-3.
  2. Taylor, Theodore (1979).Jule: The Story of Composer Jule Styne. New York: Random House. pp. 226–249. ISBN0-394-41296-6.
  3. "AusStage".world wide web.ausstage.edu.au . Retrieved2020-06-xviii .
  4. "AusStage".world wide web.ausstage.edu.au . Retrieved2020-06-18 .
  5. "AusStage".www.ausstage.edu.au . Retrieved2020-06-eighteen .
  6. "Funny Girl – The Musical in Concert".www.sydneysymphony.com . Retrieved2020-06-eighteen .
  7. Lillian Roth
  8. "'Funny Girl' tour, 1996″. deb.org. RetrievedJanuary 28,2010.
  9. "Simply Don't Call Her Debbie: For Deborah Gibson, annihilation is notwithstanding possible".Rolling Stone. February 10, 1997. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008.
  10. Jones, Chris (February 17–23, 1997). "Off Season: Tourers Hitting Road Blocks".Multifariousness. p. 73.
  11. Weiskind, Ron (Oct 3, 1996). "'Funny Girl' Opts For Laughs Over Depth".Pittsburgh Mail-Gazette. p. F8.
  12. Gans, Andrew and Shenton, Marker. "Watch London'sFunny Girl, Sheridan Smith, Sing! (Video)"Playbill, Baronial 2015
  13. Staff. "The Verdict: Read Reviews of London's Funny Girl Revival Starring Sheridan Smith" playbill.com, Dec 2, 2015
  14. "Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre".Box Office. Oct 30, 2015.
  15. http://www.whatsonstage.com/
  16. "Natasha Barnes temporarily takes over as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl".
  17. "Producers of Funny Girl release new statement".
  18. Viagas, Robert. "Sheridan Smith Returns to London Production of 'Funny Girl' Today" Playbill, July viii, 2016
  19. [1]
  20. Shenton, Mark " 'Funny Girl' to Launch U.K. Tour in February 2017″ Playbill, June 27, 2016
  21. "Sheridan Smith to star in Funny Girl UK tour!".
  22. Cappelle, Laura (5 Dec 2019). "For Entertaining Musicals, Await No Farther Than … Paris".The New York Times . Retrieved5 February 2020.
  23. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-Christina-Bianco-Earns-Raves-For-FUNNY-Daughter-In-Paris-20191205
  24. Gans, Andrew (May 9, 2002). "Chenoweth, Foster, Krakowski, White potato and White Added to Funny Daughter Do good".Playbill. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2010.
  25. Gans, Andrew (September 27, 2002). "'Funny Girl': The Second Annual Benefit Concert for The Actors' Fund of America".Playbill. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012.
  26. Ambroz, Jillian Hornbeck (Apr 22, 2001). "Extra Takes a Step Into Fanny Brice'southward Shoes".The New York Times.
  27. "'Funny Girl' list".Broadway Theatre. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. RetrievedJanuary 27,2010.
  28. Jones, Kenneth (Dec 31, 2009). "Griffin and Osetek Straight Sheperd in Chicago 'Funny Girl', Start New year's Eve".Playbill.
  29. Ng, David (March 15, 2011). "Ahmanson Theatre's 2011–12 flavour to include 'State of war Horse' and new 'Funny Girl' revival".Los Angeles Times.
  30. "Lauren Ambrose & Bartlett Sher Talk 'Funny Girl' Casting".Broadway Globe . RetrievedAugust three, 2011.
  31. "'Funny Daughter' Revival to Play Broadway'due south Imperial Theatre Opening April 2012″.Broadway Earth.
  32. Gans, Andrew (Nov three, 2011). "Los Angeles and Broadway Engagements of Funny Girl Postponed".Playbill. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011.
  33. "Theater"Funny Girl"; Musical Based on Life of Fanny Brice".The New York Times. 1964-03-27. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved2021-05-17 .
  34. Dex, Robert (2016-xi-09). "Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016: The shortlist".www.standard.co.u.k. . Retrieved2021-03-30 .
  35. Thompson, Jessie (2017-02-14). "Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016: The winners".world wide web.standard.co.great britain . Retrieved2021-03-30 .
  36. "Olivier Winners 2017".Olivier Awards . Retrieved2021-03-30 .
  37. "Ryan Adams' '1989' & A History of Cover Albums".Billboard. September 30, 2015.

Links

  • Funny Daughter at the Net Broadway Database
  • Funny Daughter Memorabilia at theatreGold

Funny Daughter – Musical

Funny Girl – Musical , Funny Daughter,  Fanny Brice, Barbra Streisand, Isobel Lennart, Jule Styne, Bob Merrill, Sydney Chaplin, Kay Medford, Jean Stapleton, Sheridan Smith, Darius Campbell, Neanie Feldstein, Ramin Karimloo, Jane Lynch