Warning: Spoilers ahead.
The title “Funny Girl” may sound familiar. Fans of the popular mid-’00s TV show “Glee” may remember playing the lead in “Funny Girl” as the dream role for Rachel Berry (played by actress Lea Michele.”. Ironically enough, Rachel Berry fulfilled her character’s dream, hitting the Broadway stage as the lead, Fanny Brice, last September. The “giggles and girls” go national as the official tour opened to a gorgeous crowd at the Fox Theatre right here in Atlanta with a new cast starring Broadway veterans Katerina McCrimmon and Stephen Mark Lukas.
“Funny Girl” loosely follows the book of the same name and depicts the life of real-life jazz-age comedian, Fanny Brice, and a tumultuous relationship with con artist Nick Arnstein. First starring the legendary Barbara Streisand in 1964, accompanied by an original score by Jule Styne and Bob Merill, this timeless musical heralds hits such as “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “I’m the Greatest Star.” “Funny Girl” has found its place among the stars in the Grammy Hall of Fame and numerous Tony nominations. But accolades aside, Fanny and her funny nature teach us two very important life lessons: never fall too deeply in love with a man wearing French Chiffon, and more importantly what makes you different, what makes you funny, what makes you gorgeous and unique makes you a star.
As Fanny, Katerina McCrimmon, brings unmatched energy to the character;spassion, the first lines she speaks proudly to the audience are “Hello, gorgeous” as the crowd roars like Thunderdome in place of her pretend mirror. From the moment of her birth, Fanny has been unapologetically herself. Backed by a trio of native Brooklynites including her mother, Mrs. Brice (Melissa Manchester), Fanny brings cheese and pizazz to the stage that is unlike any performer traditional of the time. Starting out as a small stage actress, Fanny is faced with obstacles, a salty stage manager who originally refuses her in the song “If a Girl Isn’t Pretty” describing a scenario where so-called “ugly” or conventional-looking women have no chance of success stage side. Fanny while initially disappointed and discouraged, almost immediately bounces back with her iconic “I’m the Greatest Star” where she belts lines seeped in confidence teetering past the line of self-absorbed.
But it worked. Her talent, commitment, manifestation, and dedication to play off her natural talent pays off. Her funny faces and so-called “ugly appearance” built her a career and passion unique to her. McCrimmon adds expertly to the unique factors that make Fanny a star. From her absolutely jaw-dropping voice, which gave the entire audience chills during her rendition of “People,” to her fabulous poses and expert physical comedy, she matched the style of funny perfectly. Her mannerisms and aura made it impossible to look away, McCrimmon was so captivating it was like she was born to play Fanny, she knew the character from her voice to her toes.
McCrimmon and the entire cast did a masterful job of filling the awkward moments with humor. There was a particular scene with a fan and a certain Mr. Arnestein, played with expert complexity by Stephen Mark Lukas, that drove the crowd and me alike into fits of giggles. Melissa Manchester, who plays Mrs. Brice, had a few particular bits in her chosen game of poker and a lovely drawled-out, sometimes even inaudible Brooklyn accent that added to the ambiance of who the titular Funny Girl is. Fanny would not be who she is without the support and unwavering belief in her success from her mother. her pride, humor, and wit derive from inside and out, and the chemistry McCrimmon and Manchester showed truly represented the mother-and-daughter connection between the two.
As teens, we are constantly asked to be something other than ourselves. Be the perfect student, a dedicated athlete, a prodigal musician, give up our passions for a chosen destiny and we are constantly told that our efforts are not enough. Our own intellectual currency and thoughts are consistently undervalued. Yet Fanny proves that defiance and dedication are the path, and tells us to never sacrifice our individuality or lose hope. During an especially funny scene, Fanny strides out on stage in a fake pregnant belly and a bridal gown, ridiculously making a mockery of the petite bride she was supposed to represent in “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” and completely disregarding the instructions of higher-ups. This move could have gotten her fired or thrown out, but it didn’t, it was a hit, her funny faces and theatrical dance moves, some of which may have belonged on a less dignified stage, captured the fictional audience and completely upended theatre as we know it. Fanny whether it is exploring marriage, motherhood, or turmoil stays consistently herself, and it works.
In real life, Fanny changed theatre, she led the path away from traditional female roles as a dancer and carved the way for female comedians to shine with their names in bright lights. The show was intergenerational, with young and old in attendance, each seat in that audience was touched personally by Fanny’s funny soul, as the lessons she symbolizes of freedom, dedication, and pride change as we age and revisit Fanny’s story. Whether your passion is acting, sports, school, or something otherworldly Fanny reminds us to never lose who we are, our individuality makes us special, and most importantly never let anyone of any status rain on our parade.
