This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she'd never be a star, but then something funny happened-she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.
Featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history including "Don't Rain On My Parade," "I'm the Greatest Star," and "People," Michael Mayer's bold new production marks the first time Funny Girl has returned to Broadway since its debut 58 years ago.
This tour’s principal Fanny Brice is Hannah Shankman, but the opening night audience saw Leah Platt in the role — and Platt was truly a treat. Since the character is a performer, some familiarity has to be baked in for any actor portraying her, but Platt was delightfully comfortable onstage. She deftly navigated the book’s jokes with wit and sparkle, slipping into the shoes of Fanny Brice like they were well-worn.
For the show to truly work, audiences have to believe that the young wannabe we first meet possesses all those skills. In the tour that opened Tuesday night at Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Hannah Shankman displays a lot of appeal, including a strong voice that can be joyful or mournful depending on the moment. But there’s some kind of special sparkle missing, that “it” thing that can make you gasp in appreciation at key moments.
1964 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1966 | West End |
London Production West End |
1986 | Off-Off-Broadway |
Equity Library Theatre Revival Off-Off-Broadway |
2001 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2002 | Broadway |
Actors' Fund Concert Broadway |
2012 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2015 | West End |
Menier Chocolate Factory West End Revival Production West End |
2016 | West End |
Menier Chocolate Factory West End Transfer West End |
2022 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
2023 | US Tour |
North American Tour US Tour |
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