Ray Stark

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Kansas City Music Hall
by Alan Portner - Dec 5, 2024

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.

Review: A Dazzling Revival of FUNNY GIRL Ushers in All the Laughs at Straz Center for The Performing Arts
by Drew Eberhard - Dec 1, 2023

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.

Review: FUNNY GIRL at The Hippodrome
by Timoth David Copney - Oct 25, 2023

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.

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Orpheum Theatre
by AniKatrina Fageol - Oct 12, 2023

Whenever we prepare to see an older musical, there is a fear that it will be outdated and difficult to watch.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. 

Which Shows Had the Biggest Overhaul From Out-of-Town Tryout to Broadway Opening?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Sep 24, 2023

This time, the reader question was: which Broadway shows had the biggest overhaul from their out-of-town tryout to their Broadway opening?

Hello, Gorgeous: FUNNY GIRL is Produced for the First Time in Brazil
by Claudio Erlichman - Sep 13, 2023

Funny Girl gets a Brazilian production directed by Barchilon, starring Giulia Nadruz and Eriberto Leao as protagonists. With score by J. Styne, and lyrics by B. Merrill, the semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, featuring her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein.

The Academy Museum to Celebrate First Anniversary With THE WIZ Screening
by Michael Major - Sep 27, 2022

Director Sidney Lumet followed a string of Oscar®-winning 1970s classics with this lavish adaptation of the popular Broadway musical The Wiz, noted for its lively score and all-Black cast.  The Academy Museum’s first anniversary screening of The Wiz will feature live dance performances by the Debbie Allen Dance Studio youth performers.

The Springer Presents A Fresh New Take On A Heartwarming Classic Play STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2022

The Springer Opera House presents the heart-warming Southern classic, Steel Magnolias, from April 29 through May 15 on the Springer's main stage. Infused with heart and humor, Steel Magnolias is a beloved story of the enduring friendship of six eccentric small-town women who gather weekly at Truvy's Beauty Spot. They prove they are made of steel as they share their hopes, dreams, and tragedies.

The Springer Presents A Fresh New Take On A Heartwarming Classic Play STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 28, 2022

The Springer Opera House presents the heart-warming Southern classic, Steel Magnolias, from April 29 through May 15 on the Springer's main stage. Infused with heart and humor, Steel Magnolias is a beloved story of the enduring friendship of six eccentric small-town women who gather weekly at Truvy's Beauty Spot. They prove they are made of steel as they share their hopes, dreams, and tragedies.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS Comes to The Springer
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2022

The Springer Opera House presents the heart-warming Southern classic, Steel Magnolias, from April 29 through May 15 on the Springer's main stage. Infused with heart and humor, Steel Magnolias is a beloved story of the enduring friendship of six eccentric small-town women who gather weekly at Truvy's Beauty Spot. They prove they are made of steel as they share their hopes, dreams, and tragedies.  

BWW Exclusive: A History of ANNIE on Broadway and Beyond
by Jeffrey Kare - Dec 2, 2021

Tonight, NBC will air its sixth live musical production. Following in the footsteps of The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Hairspray, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the peacock network will be presenting Annie. Based on Harold Gray's comic strip titled Little Orphan Annie, this musical tells the story of a little orphan with equal measures of pluck and positivity who charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in New York City in the year 1933.

FUNNY GIRL Adds Ramin Karimloo, Jane Lynch & Jared Grimes; Previews Begin This March At the August Wilson Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2021

Excited for FUNNY GIRL's return to Broadway? We've got casting news today about Ramin Karimloo, Jane Lynch and Jared Grimes joining the cast for the first Broadway revival of FUNNY GIRL.

VIDEO: On This Day, March 26- Barbra Streisand Stars In FUNNY GIRL on Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 26, 2021

Fifty five years ago a little musical shot a young actress to super stardom. The musical was Funny Girl; the actress was Barbra Streisand, and today, we reflect on the show that launched her legendary career!

Academy Museum Completes $388 Million Pre-Opening Fundraising Campaign Goal With Closing Gift From Laika
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Nov 13, 2020

Bill Kramer, Director and President of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, today announced that the new institution has exceeded its pre-opening fundraising campaign goal of $388 million.

FUNNY GIRL at Malmö Opera
by Annette Stolt - May 5, 2020

Funny Girl is the classic musical about Broadway star Fanny Brice's life. She sang and danced on New York's glittery theater scenes in the early 1900s. The lead role as the sharp and funny Fanny is made by Sanna Nielsen.

Streaming Review: THE GOODBYE GIRL â€" Neil Simon's Timeless Gem
by Marina Kennedy - May 4, 2020

New Yorkers and many more will enjoy viewing 'The Goodbye Girl,' a 1977 movie that has timeless charm.

Kelli O'Hara Made a Surprise Visit to the Cast of THE GOODBYE GIRL on STARS IN THE HOUSE
by BWW News Desk - May 2, 2020

Stars in The House, benefiting The Actors Fund, continued Friday night (8pm) with the cast of The Goodbye Girl (Richard Dreyfuss, Marsha Mason and Quinn Cummings).

Video Flashback: FUNNY GIRL Opens On Broadway Starring Barbra Streisand!
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 26, 2020

Fifty six years ago a little musical shot a young actress to super stardom. The musical was Funny Girl; the actress was Barbra Streisand, and today, we reflect on the show that launched her legendary career!

A Guide to Barbra Streisand Movie Musicals!
by Abigail Charpentier - Dec 13, 2019

Although she started her professional life on stage and with her studio recordings, she skyrocketed to fame in the late 1960s with the start of her film career. Check out our complete guide to Barbra Streisand singing and dancing on screen.

BWW Review: FUNNY GIRL at Théâtre Marigny
by Patrick Honoré - Nov 17, 2019