FUNNY GIRL Aims for Bway Revival in 2011-2012; Sher to Helm

The new York Times reports today that Broadway producer Bob Boyett is endeavoring to revive FUNNY GIRL on Broadway with famed director Bartlet Sher (South Pacific, Awake and Sing, Light in the Piaza) at the helm. The pair are currently planning a six week out-of-town tryout in late 2011 in preparation for a swift Broadway transfer later that season, according to the report. This would be the first revival of the show on Broadway.  Boyett currently secures the rights.

No additional details are in place yet for the project. Say Boyett in the Times: " I don't have any other details, or anything on locations...Nothing is really pulled together except Bart Sher."

As for the search for that special actress to reprise the role Barbra Streisand made famous in the 1964 original production, Boyett and Sher are open to all options.  Says Boyett: "There have been a few Hollywood types who have expressed interest...but we're also open to going with an unknown actress."  He declined to name specific names who have made the first long list of options.  When asked about GLEE star Lea Michele, Boyett was non-commital but had only complimentary things to say of the songbird.

To read the full report in the New York Times, click here.

FUNNY GIRL has a book 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, film star and comedienne Fanny Brice and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein.

The musical was produced by Ray Stark, who was Brice's son-in-law via his marriage to her daughter Frances, and starred Barbra Streisand. The production was nominated for eight Tony Awards but, facing tough competition from Hello, Dolly!, it failed to win in any categories.

Boyett and Sher have previously collaborated on South Pacific.

 

 

 

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