Stephen Mark Lukas News

Funny Girl is a semi-autobiographical comedic musical about the life and times of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, and her tumultuous relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. With a musical score by Jules Styne, lyrics by Bob Merill, and featuring a book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl first opened on Broadway in 1964 featuring Barbara Streisand in the starring role, and was produced by Fanny’s own son-in-law Ray Stark. The first Broadway production received 8 Tony Nominations at the 18th Annual Awards Ceremony, and the OBC (Original Broadway Cast) Recording was inducted into the Grammy’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Funny Girl is a semi-biographical musical that follows real-life actress, singer, and comedian Fanny Brice. The story explores her humble beginnings as a struggling stage performer who dreams of making it big with the famed Ziegfeld Follies as well as her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. Through it all, Fanny defies the odds and becomes one of the greatest stars of her generation. Following out-of-town tryouts in Boston and Philadelphia, the original production starring Barbra Streisand opened on March 26th, 1964 at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway.

What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at The Hippodrome? When I was a kid, I wanted nothing so much as to be Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl. I mean, it literally shaped my career aspirations. And I desperately wanted to see the stage version, having practically worn out my LP of the Broadway musical.

They haven't fixed the clunky storytelling or finally used actual Fanny Brice material, but FUNNY GIRL still scores big when it comes equipped with an electrifying lead and a top-notch cast.

Whenever we prepare to see an older musical, there is a fear that it will be outdated and difficult to watch.  Funny Girl has no such problems, as the message of self acceptance still stands up well today. It is the story of a Jewish girl's rise to fame, despite her homely looks, doing everything she can to ignore the opinions of thousands who say 'if a girl isn't pretty', they can't make it in show business. 

Hello, gorgeous! All new photos and video footage have been released from the North American Tour of Funny Girl. Check them out here!

The National Tour of Funny Girl launched in September in Providence, Rhode Island. Read the reviews for Funny Girl here!

Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) kicks off the 2023/2024 theater season with the national tour launch of the long-awaited revival of the legendary Broadway musical, “Funny Girl.”

We have your first listen to Katerina McCrimmon singing 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from Funny Girl. McCrimmon will lead the upcoming North American tour of Funny Girl as Fanny Brice. Check out the video here!

Discover the full cast and tour dates for the highly anticipated FUNNY GIRL North American Tour. Don't miss out on this exciting production of the beloved musical.

FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, launches its national tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) for a limited one-week engagement from September 9 - 16, 2023.

The principal cast been revealed for the North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

See photos of Tovah Feldshuh celebrating 50 years on Broadway with the creation of The Feldshuh Fund for Women’s Health.

Stephen DeAngelis continues his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with the next edition in his monthly residency of AT THIS PERFORMANCE…™ to be held on Monday, April 24th at The Green Room 42, Green Fig, Fourth Floor, Yotel NYC, 570 Tenth Avenue (at 42nd Street), New York, NY 10036 at 7 PM. 

Paolo Montalban and Anne L. Nathan will assume the roles of Florenz Ziegfeld and Mrs. Strakosh in Funny Girl on Broadway. We have all the details!

Producers Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani announced today that Emmy Award nominee Lea Michele, Tony and Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo, 2022 Tony & Drama Desk Award nominee and Chita Rivera Award winner Jared Grimes and four-time Tony Award nominee Tovah Feldshuh have extended their critically acclaimed, record-breaking run in Broadway’s FUNNY GIRL through Sunday, September 3, 2023, when FUNNY GIRL will play its final performance at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).

Stephen DeAngelis is continuing his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with the next edition in his monthly residency of AT THIS PERFORMANCE… to be held on Monday, February 27th at The Green Room 42.

The New Broadway Cast Recording of Funny Girl is now available wherever CDs are sold!  All new Behind-the-Scenes photos have been released of the cast recording session.

Watch a new commercial for Funny Girl on Broadway, featuring Lea Michele singing 'I'm the Greatest Star' and 'Don't Rain On My Parade'!

BroadwayWorld has learned that Funny Girl will be launching a national tour, with dates already confirmed for 2024 as part of Atlanta's 2023/2024 Broadway touring season, which also features the pre-Broadway national tour of The Wiz.