I had never seen a professional production of Funny Girl. When the reviews came out last year I decided to pass. The original show was inferior to the heights achieved in the movie version as happens occasionally (see Cabaret and Hair, to name two). The backstage drama within a failing revival hit the news. Lea Michelle (Spring Awakening, Glee) was tapped to take over the lead. Overnight the show turned into a hit. Definitely now is the time to take a peek.
Fanny Brice was a huge comedic star in the Ziegfeld Follies, musical recordings and early radio days famously playing her long-running signature character, Baby Snooks. This musical is a fictionalized biography centering around her rise to fame alongside a tempestuous relationship with her real-life second husband.
Jules Styne and Bob Merrill penned the still famous score. The cavalcade of excellence in Act I include “I’m the Greatest Star”, “His Love Makes Me Beautiful”, “People” and the spectacular first act closer “Don’t Rain On My Parade”. What blew me away was how much I enjoyed the silly “You Are Woman, I Am Man”.
That number is successful because of the chemistry between Ms. Michelle and Ramin Karimloo (Les Miserables) who portrays the flawed Nick Arnstein. Not only do sparks fly, the laughs all land. Having a strong male voice sing the role is a wonderful upgrade as well. The love affair is palpably rendered and the story is richer.
All of the principal roles are expertly performed. Tovah Feldshuh provides depth to Fanny’s mother. As her friend Eddie, Jared Grimes has showstopping tap dance numbers. His characterization is highly memorable and his love for Fanny lurks effectively in the background. The acting across the board is so good that even numbers like “Who Taught Her Everything She Knows” are top notch.
Is this revival of Funny Girl a classic then? Unfortunately no. The production looks cheap. The neighborhood where Fanny grows up looms large on the stage. When it is time for the Follies, however, a central section opens up for the pageantry. There is nothing Ziegfeld Follies about the moment except for a headdress or two.
Costumes are a mixed bag. Fanny has great ones. There is a scene in Act II with the chorus girls at rehearsal. They are wearing flower headpieces. The outfits worn were nearly all ill-fitting or badly wrinkled. I’m not buying any defense that these were intended to be that way. When lead performances are this good – and ticket prices this expensive – all details should be up to their level.
Act II of Funny Girl is definitely weaker than the first. I have to admit that I had a great time watching this old chestnut. I knew Ms. Michelle would sing the hell out of songs made famous by Barbra Streisand. Her embodiment of the character throughout the stages of Fanny’s journey is the proverbial icing on the cake. The songs were certainly sung well but the entire performance brightly shined.
Broadway has waited a very long time to revive this well known show. There was some tinkering with the book by Harvey Fierstein but I’m not sure how. Stepping into Barbra Streisand’s shoes is not easy for anyone. How nice then to revisit Funny Girl sixty years later and have a grand, if imperfect, night at the theater. If you have any interest at all, now is the time to live, not sit and putter.