by Tina Rataj
The Broadway revival of Funny Girl is now playing at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, TX. It runs from March 4-9. The original 1960s lead was the iconic Barbara Streisand, and although it’s so easy to imagine the story is about her, it’s actually based on the true-ish life events of Fanny Brice and her husband Nick Arnstein. Fanny was a real-life entertainer who was famous in the early 1900s and this is a story of her her rise to fame.
The Austin audience was treated to a leading lady performance by Hannah Shankman as she wrestled with marriage and career ups and downs with actor Stephen Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein. Both were wonderful in their roles and pulled off the emotional shifts from act 1 to act 2 splendidly. Their supporting cast was also notable especially Izaiah Montaque Harris, playing Eddie Ryan and Melissa Manchester, playing Mrs. Brice. Both supporting roles were integral in pulling us along on this adventure. Izaiah is also an expert tap-dancer and his first tap performance in the show is the beginning of my favorite elements of the show, which are the follies performances.
In the follies performances we see Fanny grow from a budding show woman to a showstopper. The image burned into my mind will always be Fanny dressed as a military general with bagels attached to her sides as chrome outfit clad dancers move effortlessly around her. The comedy in the performances was so fun and engaging. It also took you back to a simpler time when comedy was in this live follie type format.
Much of the focus was on the fun and silliness until act 2 when things took a turn into the more emotional side of the marriage. I personally would have loved to see more of the fun and silliness with the ensemble cast, but there was a story to tell about why this marriage would not succeed. Although the marriage fails, the audience is left with a hopeful and strong leading lady in the final moments of the show.
Fanny’s vocals were commanding and Mrs. Brice’s lyrics were a constant treat as they weaved in and out of the timeline. A few tunes stuck with me as I exited the theater as well as a good wholesome feeling about the cast and narrative.
Musical Numbers
Act I
“Overture” – Orchestra
“If a Girl Isn’t Pretty” – Mrs. Brice, Mrs. Meeker, Mrs. Strakosh, Mr. Keeney, Eddie Ryan and Keeney Company
“I’m the Greatest Star” – Fanny Brice
“I’m the Greatest Star (Reprise)” – Mrs. Brice and Fanny Brice†
“Cornet Man” – Fanny Brice and Keeney Company
“His Love Makes Me Beautiful” – Ziegfeld Tenor, Fanny Brice and Ziegfeld Company
“I Want to Be Seen with You Tonight” – Nick Arnstein and Fanny Brice
“Henry Street” – Mrs. Meeker, Mrs. Brice, Mrs Strakosh and Henry Street Neighbors
“People” – Fanny Brice
“You Are Woman” – Nick Arnstein and Fanny Brice
“Don’t Rain on My Parade” – Fanny Brice
Act II
“Entr’acte” – Orchestra†
“Don’t Rain on My Parade (Reprise I)” – Fanny Brice†
“Sadie, Sadie” – Fanny Brice and Friends
“Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?” – Eddie Ryan and Mrs. Brice
“Temporary Arrangement” – Nick Arnstein and Businessmen
“Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat” – Fanny Brice and Ziegfeld Company
“Who Are You Now? / People (Reprise)” – Fanny Brice and Nick Arnstein
“The Music That Makes Me Dance / Dream Ballet” – Fanny Brice
“Funny Girl / Don’t Rain On My Parade (Reprise II)” – Fanny Brice
“Bows / People (Reprise II)” – Full Company†
