Funny Girl?

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:27pm

Have they revived Funny Girl since the 1st production with Barbara? If not, they should I'd love to see this done. But whoever would play Fanny would have big shoes to fill. Maybe thats why they haven't revived it. I think Sutton would make a good Fanny but it would be cool to find someone new to play the part just like Barbara was. I don't knwo I think it would be cool to have it revived, it has great music.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:29pm

It has never been revised and I do think it is time. Although probably too old and pretty for the part, I'd love to see Linda Eder in it.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:30pm

I think it's time for a Funny Girl revival too! I think people might be scared of Funny Girl with Barbra, though...maybe that's what's prevented it from happening.

Sutton would indeed be a great choice for it. I'd also like to see (and hear) Julia Murney have a shot at it -- for a totally different take.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:30pm

oooh! maybe! i like that. linda has "barbra like" qualities in her voice.

Updated On: 3/21/05 at 04:30 PM

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:32pm

Linda Eder singing that score would be unbelievable. She already sings "Parade" better than Barbra, in my opinion. She'd probably never touch the show however.

[PJ]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:34pm

No one's ever had the balls, and excuse me for being so crass, to play Fanny on Broadway since Streisand in the 60's. I don't think it's because she was *that* good more than it's because that's her signature stage/film role.

Oh, and Fanny must be played by a Jewish girl. No question about it.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:35pm

There was talk about 10 years ago that Taylor Dayne was going to do the revival. Jule Styne was involved and then passed away and that ended that.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:36pm

the reason why I say Sutton is because I think she can bring the humor,heart, as well as the dynamic voice that Fanny has.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:37pm

There has been talk over the years about a revival -- featuring any number of people from Taylor Dane to Sandra Bernhard (who I think would have been fascinating in the role) but its never happened.

There was also the touring company with Debbie Gibson that quickly folded -- perhaps one of our posters can share stories on that one

The problem is that as much as people talk about the vocal demands of the part -- more importantly the role really needs the kind of quirky, unique Jewish personality that you don't see in many leading ladies in order to really work.

I just can't see someone as waspy as Sutton Foster being completely effective in the part.

Maybe in a couple of years they'll revive it with that chick on American Idol everyone says reminds them of Streisand, ha!


Updated On: 3/21/05 at 04:37 PM

[Justice]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:38pm

A few years ago Deborah Gibson played Fanny Brice at Papermill Playhouse, as well as on tour.




Funny Girl Trivia: The real Nick Arnstein, who died penniless, was in front of the Funny Girl theatre when it premiered on B'way, begging for money.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:38pm

haha yeah that girl on Idol reminds me of streisand so much! lol!

[PJ]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:39pm

Although she'd be great in so many roles, Fanny is just not one of them. But she did sing the sh*t out of "I'm the Greatest Star" at the Actor's Benefit concert back in 2002.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:39pm

wow....thats really interesting about nick arnstein! thats sad.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:41pm

Not really sad - he was truly a low life - not the romantic figure presented in the movie.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:42pm

I don't know what she was like in the role, but I like Darcie Robert's recordings from when she played the role at TUTS in Houston (available for listening on her website).
Updated On: 3/21/05 at 04:42 PM

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:45pm

If a revival is planned, I think that an unknown will have to play the role - I don't think a "name" is going to touch it considering the iconic nature of the role and the woman who originated it.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:49pm

thats what I think too. I think finding an unknown who is worthy of the role would be smart to do.

[Justice]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:50pm

I hated him in the movie. I was angry with the movie because she kept going back to him. You're right he was a low-life - both in the movie and real life.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:51pm

But it was romanticized for the movie. The real Arnstein was not a class act. Also Fran Stark didn't want her father portrayed as badly as he truly was and the real Nick threatened to sue the producers of the musical play so his role kept being whitewashed.

Updated On: 3/21/05 at 04:51 PM

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:52pm

yeha I agree, I kept thinking the same thing when she kept coming back to him. I just think it's sad to have that life and to die like that.

Updated On: 3/21/05 at 04:52 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:53pm

Please remember that Streisand was NOT an unknown at the time of FUNNY GIRL. I believe she had already won a Grammy and, before the show opened, made her iconic appearance on the Judy Garland Show.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:54pm

ohhh I thought Funny Girl was like her big break. Never mind then.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:54pm

Streisand was only known on the coasts, she was hardly a household name when cast in the role. Additionally, the role became iconic after Streisand transitioned to "legend". It was not an iconic role at the time it was being cast or performed in the 60's.

In fact, the show continued on for another year after Streisand left with Mimi Hines in the role.

Updated On: 3/21/05 at 04:54 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:55pm

But at the time of her being cast, Streisand was basically an unknown, except for the people who knew her cabaret work or perhaps saw I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE.

I personally don't care if they get a name or quasi name for the part as long as she's ideal for the role. I mean they could have revived the show in the 1970s with Bette Midler, and she would have been great.

You just have to have the right personality. Updated On: 3/21/05 at 04:55 PM

[Bobby457]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:59pm

The "Revival" tour with Deborah Gibson was supposed to go to B'way, but alas did not. The Isobel Lennart Estate had given Sammie Dallas Bayes, the director full reign to change the book. which he tried and failed miserably. The show was horribly directed and the design looked like a bad summer stock production. Deb sang the hell out of it and she was starting to "get" Fanny under her belt when it closed.