Nashville's FUNNY Fannys: Heather Trabucco of Keeping Scores' FUNNY GIRL

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. And despite my best efforts to dig up some dirt, it appears everyone is getting along, that rehearsals are almost as good as the performances are supposed to be and no one has yet slapped Logsdon with their hand or a lawsuit. Apparently all is swell in Zeigfeld land aka BRT.

The dozen Fannys are, of course, my current 12 favorite singing actresses (I remind you, gentle reader, that I am contractually required to make that statement at least 12 times a day), and as you've gotten to know each Fanny one-by-one, we continue the series with a Q&A with one Heather Trabucco (who really is my favorite, but please don't tell Cori, Corrie, Sondra, Laura, Heather, Stephanie [Jones-Benton, the newest Fanny of them all], Catherine, Alex, Nancy, Lindsay or Erica, they'll take it personally). So, here's our latest Funny Fanny...read on and you'll love her as much as I do (maybe I need to re-visit this whole gay thing)...

So where did you grow up? What's your hometown? Charleroi, Pennsylvania.

What song will you thrill us with in Funny Girl in Concert? "Sadie, Sadie."

You've been busy lately, Heather...what are your favorite Nashville stage roles? I'm so new to the Nashville theater scene that I've only done two shows! Maureen in Rent [at Boiler Room Theatre] and Holly in The Wedding Singer[for Circle Players at The Keeton Theatre]...both were so much fun.

Obviously, you fit in well, 'cause I figured you'd been here for more shows! So, who's your comic heroine in film, tv, theater? I am obsessed with Judy Greer. She has been in so many movies and shows and although never the main character, she nearly steals every scene she is in as the wise-cracking sidekick.

You know, I've been trying to stir up some controversy among the 12 divas playing Fanny Brice, so please indulge me (and help me out with some dirt)...Who's your favorite Fanny you're sharing the stage with? I can't pick a favorite!! Honestly, the only Fanny I've shared the stage with is Laura Thomas Sonn, so I'm looking forward to working with all of these fabulous women!

Jeez, what is it with you women - everybody loves one another? What's the funniest thing you've ever done (I'll give you a dollar if it's really juicy!)? I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 12 and this past March I was in Venice Beach, California, with a bike as my only method of transportation. I was just starting to get the hang of it and feeling like I looked pretty rad when I completely fell onto the curb.....in a busy intersection...in front of a ton of people...who pointed and laughed. Funny to me is often times borderline humiliating, but if you can't laugh at yourself then it's going to be one long life!

Too bad there's not some video available for YouTube...What's your favorite funny movie? This Is Spinal Tap never gets old!

And what's your favorite funny TV show? Can I be really specific and say The Office seasons 1-3?

No, I'd prefer that you didn't, but I'll let it pass this time. What's your favorite funny play or musical? Avenue Q kills me.

- 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.

photo of Heather Trabucco by Rick Malkin