Patrick Hosken

Shankman in particular deftly maneuvers between Brice’s comedienne nature (always going for the joke) and the more vulnerable moments of the show, which are largely expressed through show-stopping solo numbers. Her surging moment of power is not even the show’s most notable tune... but the finale, where Shankman channels Brice’s emotional journey throughout the entire show and ends on a note of sheer triumph — and a raised fist.