Theater Review: Funny Girl remains powerful and poignant
“Hello Gorgeous.” These iconic words open the first national tour of Funny Girl, which Attractions Magazine was recently invited to see at The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Funny Girl is loosely based on the real-life story of Fanny Brice, a Jewish American actress and singer who struggled against adversity to become one of America’s most beloved performers of her time.
The musical centers around her relationship with charming hustler Nick Arnstein, set against her rise to stardom. Funny Girl was also adapted into a popular 1968 movie of the same name starring Barbra Streisand. Many people might not be fully aware of the plot and music from Funny Girl, but the stellar music is bolstered by several instantly recognizable songs such as “People” (People who need people) and “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” adding a familiar element to the show.
Funny Girl is told mainly through flashbacks, and on stage, this aesthetic is accomplished through almost dreamlike transitions through scenes seemingly meant to represent all the characters from Brice’s life dancing in and out of it. The show rapidly transitions through time periods, jumping forward days, weeks, and even years. Occasionally, these transitions were confusing, but it wasn’t too difficult to catch up, and ultimately, these moments didn’t detract from the show.
The show’s scenery ranges from simple curtains and drops depicting New York streets to elaborate Mansions and hotel rooms filled with period-appropriate props and decor. Most of the other technical elements did their job of being virtually invisible while adding to the experience instead of being the focus themselves. It’s not until one steps back and thinks, “Gee, Fanny is wearing a different outfit every single time she comes on stage,” that you start to think about the army of crew behind the scenes keeping this massive production running smoothly. Indeed, we only saw (or heard) a few technical snafus, but this early in the tour (and on the first day at a new venue) makes me optimistic that these issues can be ironed out quickly and lead to a successful run.
Standouts in the supporting cast include Barbara Tirrell as Fanny’s mother, Mrs. Brice, who alternates between comedic overtones and touching sincerity, and David Foley Jr. (whose previous credits include Marlin in Disney’s Finding Nemo: The Musical) as the comic relief character of Tom Keeney – and while I wondered why his character was present for certain given scenes, his stage presence and comedic timing quickly made me forget my confusion.
Photo by Corey Martineau
Alternately, In the role of Brice’s love interest and secondary lead, Stephen Mark Lucas came across as a little overly stilted and stiff, often lacking the suave smoothness one might expect from an easy-come-easy-go charmer as the other characters seem to consider him. Nevertheless, he was able to show off his singing chops in his largely solo song, “Temporary Arrangement.”
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
Ultimately, Funny Girl is a show that, more than most, lives or dies on the abilities of the actress playing the titular character. Playing the role in this production, Katerina McCrimmon is an absolute powerhouse of a singer and a versatile actress. Her voice can easily transition between comedic patter and soft vulnerability, but her brassy belting truly brought the house down on more than one occasion, leading to several audience members giving her a standing ovation in the middle of the show. Being so early in the tour, I hope her voice can stand the strain for the months to come so every audience can experience the same face-melting belts we did. In her acting, McCrimmon can show off Brice’s quick wit and comedic mastery while also showing those moments for the defense mechanism they often are. Showing equal parts vulnerability and bravado, McCrimmon truly brings the multi-faceted Brice to life on stage.
Knowing very little about the show going into it, I definitely enjoyed the production and found myself deeply impressed by the lead actress. Ultimately, Funny Girl is a poignant show led by a fearless performer and tells a story of determination and vulnerability through comedy, sincerity, and tremendous singing talent. While the specific subject matter might be dated now, Fanny Brice being primarily known these days from this show and movie, the themes of perseverance and the message of resiliency still echo through to this day.
