Barbra Striesand - Funny Girl on Broadway

[K2503]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 11:42am

I love the movie version of this show, and wondered a little about the original Broadway show that "discovered" Ms Striesand. I appreciate she had a few roles before this, but I am sure you will agree this was her major break.

Is it true that apart from concert performances she has never done another Broadway show?

Were any posters on here lucky enough to see her in the Broadway (or indeed London) run. I would love to hear any stories or trivia about it.

I understand there were a few differences between Show and film - but I am sure you could enlighten me and other readers. I think it would make interesting reading.

Thank you

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 11:58am

The show and role that 'discovered' her was Miss Marmelstein in the original 1962 Broadway musical "I Can Get it For You Wholesale". In her own words: "...me and Miss Marmelstein put each other on the map".

"Funny Girl" the Broadway version helped catapult her to a larger audience, but it was her TV appearances and her successful early albums that helped her become a bigger name. By the time "Funny Girl" rolled around in 1964, Barbra Streisand was a pretty well-known name. Her 1965 CBS TV Special "My Name is Barbra", which aired during her Broadway run in "Funny Girl" exposed to her the millions who didn't follow Broadway and her style of music.

And yes..."Funny Girl" was her last appearance on stage. Her huge and intense case of stage-fright ended her stage career.

[luvliza89]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 12:10pm

This website has the best information on the subject of Funny Girl, and a great section on the differences between the movie and stage musical.

Enjoy the read!
Barbra On Broadway

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 1:44pm

She was pretty much headed for stardom before Funny Girl. If you look at her IMDB profile, you'll see that she was all over tv in 1963, even getting star attention from the likes of Judy Garland with the famous "Get Happy/Happy Days..." medley.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 9:58pm

I saw Funny Girl in July 1964 and Streisand was amazing. There are some people who look comfortable on stage, and she certainly did - the stage fright was not evident to me in the audience. She seemed to be having a lot of fun with the role, and appeared to be very connected to the actors on stage with her. She had already become associated with the song "People" but I loved all the funny songs too -

[K2503]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 5:26am

Thanks for the replies!

I so wish I had seen it!!

Posted: 12/7/06 at 9:38am

Don't you mean 'big mouth' on Broadway (ROTFLASO)

[stella985]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 9:41am

Actually, her stage fright didn't begin till her Happening in Central Park concert where she forgot the words of a song and got death threats (to clarify the death threats had to do with her political positions not because she forgot the words of a song). Anyway that was after she was done with the stage version of Funny Girl.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 9:20pm

Thanks, Stella985 - I don't know much about her personal history. She seemed to have a lot of chemistry with Syndey Chaplin (sp?) who played Nicky Arnstein.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 9:37pm

No, RTFan...

Once again, you are far from funny.

Are you mentally challenged?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 9:41pm

I wish they would do a revival of Funny Girl on Broadway with Julia Murney as Fanny Brice. I would pay good money to see that.
-BJH

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 9:44pm

Well...it LOOKED like chemistry because in real life, they couldn't stand each other. He tried to get out of his contract as quickly as possible. They only spoke to each other on-stage in character -- never off-stage.

After EVERY performance, Barbra was keen on giving out acting notes to the other actor's regarding their performance, which didn't go over with anyone. She's admitted to this, as well as how much she hated doing the show because of the 8 performances a week schedule and the inability to change things with the show. She felt like she was in a prison sentence having to do the same thing every night.

Recently she's mentioned she would love to return to the stage, but the 8 performances a week is an unrealistic performance schedule which she will not adhere to. She questioned WHO created that performance schedule? Quoting her, she'd love to do like 4 performances a week and rotating days of the week.

From her lips to God's ears.

Here's hoping.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 10:30pm

Barbra Streisand was pretty well known, prior to FUNNY GIRL. I found her performance in that show, rather dull. I simply do not understand anyone who posts otherwise. She virtually was sleep-walking through the show. The only time there was any "magic", is when she sang. In fact, if it wasn't for her success in records, and television specials, it is very doubtful she would have even made the film version.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 11:47pm

From what I've heard it seems that there were plenty of nights when she walked through it, but other nights when she did give it her all.

I thought I'd read that she and Sydney Chaplin got along at first, but as his part kept getting smaller, that changed. And it does sound as if she didn't endear herself to people generally.

Unfortunately, the show is tough to revive because the book isn't all that good and the role was so built on Streisand's talents and vocal qualities that it's hard for anyone to banish her ghost hanging over it, especially since the role carries so much of the score.

This was probably not so true at first, when Mimi Hines succeeded her on Broadway and had a big success in it. And women as unlikely as Carol Lawrence and Barbara Cook toured in it in stock. Though I think the national tour Fanny was Marilyn Michaels, who later became better known as an impressionist, most of all of Barbara Streisand.

But once the movie came out, I think it became very difficult for people to accept anyone else in the role.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 12:38am

Babs and Sydney got "along" just fine then, he was outta there.
Her notes to other actors and crew were just unbelievable and Broadway was glad to be rid of her.
I saw her performance and it was legendary but no Channing who beat her big nose ass for thr Tony.
And i saw Mimi too, who proved that the right actress and production could make ths show work again.
And I don't mean Deborah Gibson.
The score is great and the book is very good.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 9:39am

Mimi Hines was as perfect as anyone is every going to be in that role. It realy isn't a very good show.

[kooky]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 9:47am

Lainie Kazan was her understudy - - - she got to do the role once.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 9:49am

Of it's done right, it IS a great show.

For me, it ranks right up there with Gypsy...

I'm sorry that some folks don't enjoy it more.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 10:24am

I enjoyed it when I saw it in high school

Mimi Hines & Johnny Desmond were in it & she was indeed quite good in it. It is indeed as good as Gypsy with a very strong score which, unfortunately, was eviserated for the movie

Updated On: 12/10/06 at 10:24 AM