BWW Interviews: Nashville's FUNNY Fannys: Erica Haines Cantrell

In the upcoming concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 very different, very funny and somehow uniquely qualified women to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice, first brought to national, then worldwide, acclaim by the inimitable Barbra Streisand. For the past several months, we've been giving you a chance to get to know each of Nashville's Funny Fannys, one by one, and today's interview features my very favorite Fanny, of course, the gorgeous and oh-so-talented Erica Haines Cantrell (please don't tell any of the other Fannys I said that, okay? I'm already looking over my shoulder every step I take...)...Get to know her better, gentle readers...

Erica, clearly, you are my favorite, but I realize I know very little about you...where's your hometown, toots? Nashville, baby! Born at Vanderbilt Hospital!

What song do you sing in Funny Girl in Concert? I sing "Cornet Man." It is not in the movie, and is shorter in the actual musical than the Broadway recording.

So, since you're my favorite, I've seen you in several shows, but I wonder: What are your three favorite Nashville stage roles? My "own" three favorite roles? Well, I loved being smarty pants Marcy Park in Street Theatre Company's The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I really enjoyed being the sexy zombie, Donna Shroud, in Macabaret. I also liked playing June Carter Cash in Ring of Fire, even if we didn't play in Nashville like we were scheduled to. But the Cash Family lived here, so it's still a Nashville role, right?

Absolutely, my dear. Who is your comic heroine in film, TV, theater? Jennifer Garner in Alias is my absolute hero. She kicks butt on so many levels. She's sexy, and funny and smart, and gets to make out with Michael Vartan. Plus, she has the best costumes and wigs ever!

I know you're a lady and all that, but I've really been trying to stir up some dirt among your fellow Fannys, so I have to ask: Who's your favorite Fanny you're sharing the stage with? All of the fannies are just wonderful! I mean, come on, who do I not love. But I suppose my favorite fanny is my own. I have lived with it for 27 years. I am a bit attached.

No, I didn't mean that "fanny," but never mind...What's the funniest thing you've ever done? I wish I had a really good answer for this one! And I'm sure once this is printed someone will remind me of a really good one. But I just don't think I'm very funny. I think I am much more sarcastic and subtle if anything.

What's your favorite funny movie? Elf is pretty great all year round! Also, Hearts and Souls is an oldie but a goodie!!!

What's your favorite funny TV show? Oh, so many to choose from and so little space...

What's your favorite funny play or musical? Avenue Q - hilarious! Will it ever come to Nashville, please, please?!?

It's been here already, probably while you were growing up or on tour. One final question, Erica. You know, you're my favorite, right? So, I 'd love to know...who's your favorite critic? Think about it, don't shout out the first name you think of...think carefully...I can wait...seriously, who is it? I'm really getting tired of waiting...who...

- Funny Girl in Concert. Music and lyrics by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. Book by Isobel Lennart. Directed by Scott Logsdon. Musical direction by Jamey Green. Choreographed by Laurie Gregoire. Presented by Keeping Scores Concerts at Boiler Room Theatre, Franklin. For reservations, call the box office at (615) 794-7744.

photos of Erica Haines Cantrell by Rick Malkin

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