The O’ahu theatre community has a new “Brake-out” star in the fabulous Becca Brake, playing the iconic turn of the century comedienne Fanny Brice. A recent transplant to Hawai’i, Brake left me speechless at her star turn in Funny Girl at Diamond Head Theatre, with her high-caliber combination of stunning vocals, spot-on comedic timing, and charm by the bucketful.
When FUNNY GIRL opened on Broadway it was a smash hit in 1964 and would jettison the career of Barbra Streisand. It became a staple on repertory companies, regional and community theatres and summer stock. But the looming memory of Streisand's iconic performance on stage and then on screen seemed to have destined the show to be unproduceable without a genuine triple threat actress who could sing, act, AND be a comedian par excellence. It took almost 60 years for a Broadway revival to occur, and poor Beanie Feldstein was not up to the leading lady task, being replaced with the much more appropriate star Lea Michele. Once again, the tale of Fanny Brice had resurfaced and the often comedic, often dark musical comedy has been re-introduced to audiences who can look at the piece without Streisand's interpretation burned into our memory.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia will present FUNNY GIRL at The Arts Theatre, with the role of Fanny Brice shared among three performers: Olivia Sutton, Sarah Hamilton, and Sophie Stokes.
Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? opened on Broadway in 1982. Based on the book by John R Powers, this show features music and lyrics by James Quinn and Alaric Jans.
It seems an impossible feat to follow in the shadow of the legendary Barbara Streisand who originated the iconic role of Fanny Brice in the 1964 Broadway production of FUNNY GIRL, which received eight Tony Award nominations. But Hannah Shankman marched herself onto the stage at the Ohio Theatre and commanded every beat of the drum. She’s quirky, clever, adorable, ambitious, lovable, and has impeccable comedic timing – but her show stopping voice is what sets her apart and generates thunderous, mouth-dropping applause. And she does it with such natural ease.
What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at Walton Arts Center? The power that came from the vocals of the cast of FUNNY GIRL at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, which is running through Sunday, March 23, will blow you away!
Funny Girl dazzles! A powerhouse lead, a lush score & a showstopping number in 'Don't Rain on My Parade' make this production a must-see. A story of love, loss & resilience that is still relevant #FunnyGirlTour #BWW
The road to success for Hannah Shankman has had plenty of roundabouts. Many a time she thought she was headed one way, and then she seemed to be veering in another, only to return to her original path.
What a precious and inspiring story, full of everything a musical should be! San Antonio, you have until March 2 to see this show, and I highly encourage you to get out and experience it! It is truly delightful!
FUNNY GIRL is one of the crown gems of the American Musical Theater. Kansas City audiences will be treated to a first-class production of a show that many theater buffs know about but have never seen. Tuesday night’s performance starred Leah Platt in the lead role of Fanny Brice. Leah has a gangbuster voice fully displayed as she plows through an excellent score with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill.
One of the fun parts of reviewing shows in Kansas City is the occasional opportunity to meet and interview some of the talented touring performers who come through with road productions of Broadway shows.
What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at Aronoff Center?
The national tour of FUNNY GIRL, currently playing at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City, is a gorgeous rendition of a timeless classic that runs the gamut of emotion from self-deprecating comedy to heart-wrenching drama to chill-inducing performance.
And now we have the tour, currently playing at The Paramount Theatre. And it looks like the producers have learned their lesson with the “stunt casting” and just brought in people who can handle the part, such as Hannah Shankman as the irrepressible Fanny Brice, who is making her debut with the tour here in Seattle. And she has certainly left her mark on the role and on our town.
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 6, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Hannah Shankman will take over the role of Fanny Brice when the tour opens in Seattle on September 24th, 2024. She joins returning cast members Melissa Manchester as Mrs. Brice, Stephen Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein, Izaiah Montaque Harris as Eddie Ryan, Walter Coppage as Florenz Ziegfeld, Leah Platt as Emma/Mrs. Nadler, Christine Bunuan as Mrs. Meeker, and David Foley Jr. as Tom Keeney.
What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at BROADWAY AT THE HOBBY CENTER?
Maine State Music Theatre’s new production of FUNNY GIRL is a triumph for its star and a coup for the company. Obtaining the first rights to produce the show after the closing of the recent Broadway revival is an unprecedented accomplishment for the theatre’s Artistic Director, Curt Dale Clark. In addition, the production, itself, is arguably the first FUNNY GIRL anywhere to use the state-of-the art video technology, and perhaps the most thrilling feat of all: not only does the entire cast deliver stunning performances, but Jenna Lea Rosen, who makes her MSMT debut and role debut as Fanny Brice, is unquestionably a superstar. The result is an evening in the theatre that is as exhilarating and spellbinding as any you will see on any stage and an experience not to be missed!
Maine State Music Theatre is the first - and only - regional theatre to be granted the rights to produce Funny Girl since the Broadway National Tour launched. We chat with Kenny Ingram about the upcoming production.
