SALT LAKE CITY — For those who have never really connected with the movie Funny Girl, do not skip the Broadway Across America touring show of Funny Girl at the Eccles. Although the movie stars the fabulous Barbra Streisand and she sings some of the best songs in Musical Theatre history, it somehow seems out of date and unfulfilling; maybe it’s the disappointing ending. However, Funny Girl at Broadway at the Eccles is a musical that has much more to give than the movie with all the feels and big show numbers portraying the making of a star, Fanny Brice.
Show closes October 13, 2024.
Knowing that the show is loosely based on the life of Fanny Brice, a real life star in the early 1900s, and her relationship with the crook Nicky Arnstein, brings the understanding that the ups and downs of real life struggles don’t always lead to happy endings. The real Fanny Brice’s son-in-law, Ray Stark, first produced the musical Funny Girl on Broadway in 1964, 14 years after she passed away, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, book by Isobel Lennart and revised book by Harvey Fierstein. Directed by Michael Mayer, Funny Girl at the Eccles is a musical that has lively dance numbers, dramatic moving songs, theatrical lights and sets, and lots of heart.
Although no-one can quite play the role of Fanny Price like Barbra Streisand, Hannah Shankman is a star of the show all on her own. Shankman was engaging with quick jokes and various funny voices in “I’m The Greatest Star” and joyful and bright as she sang “I’ll tell you one more time, I’m the greatest star!” Shankman sang “People” with sensitivity and vulnerability contrasting with the radiant and impressive vocals in “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” Her talented singing was outstanding even through the end of the show as she sang, “Cause his is the only music that makes me dance.”
The handsome man in the ruffled shirt, Nick Arnstein, is played by Stephen Mark Lukas. He was smooth and slick in “I Want to be Seen with You” while also funny in “You Are Woman, I Am Man” especially as he recovered from her rejection jumping back up onto the chaise lounge striking a seductive pose. Yet the number “Temporary Arrangement” felt deflated and uninspiring, however most antagonist songs are rarely a highlight of the show. Unfortunately, Arnstein’s huge loss of his casino investment in a Florida Hurricane does hit a little close to home due to the current situation of Hurricane Milton hitting Florida this week.
The famous Melissa Manchester played the role of Mrs. Brice, Fanny’s supportive mother with a crisp Brooklyn accent and spunky character. Her comedic reading of the telegram from the Ziegfeld Theatre was playful and entertaining. Combined with Cheryl Stern, playing Mrs. Strakosh, and Christine Bunuan, playing Mrs. Meeker, the three women were unrefined gems from the poorer streets of Brooklyn. Their singing in “If a Girl Isn’t Pretty” was cheerful and spirited as they mothered young Fanny showing it takes a community to raise children.
Izaiah Montaque Harris played the role of Eddie, with upbeat charm and charisma. His expert tap dancing was music to my ears as he quickly tapped, skipped and jumped around with energetic finesse, the choreography by Ellenore Scott was fantastic! Harris and Manchester sang a wonderful duet in “Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?” that cheered the audience with joyful dancing and fantastic singing.
The lighting throughout the show, designed by Kevin Adams, was spectacular and breathtaking, really bringing the old time broadway show glam to the stage. A large frame around the set was eye-catching with marquee bulbs and colorful running lights that changed color and intensity throughout the evening to instantly set the mood for each song, particularly during the ending of “Don’t Rain on My Parade”. Multiple spotlights during “Who Are You Now” and “I’m the Greatest Star” created the dramatic feel as they came on one by one illuminating the stage with the beats of the songs.
Scenic design by David Zinn really set the stage throughout the show with many lifelike large backdrops such as crowded New York Streets, red bricked backstage rooms, a large spacious mansion, and the Cleveland Union Depot sign lit up like a large marquee. The enormous draping metallic curtains at the Ziegfeld were glamorous as they reflected the lighting changing from blue and silver to beautiful gold throughout the song “His Love Makes Me Beautiful.”
Glittering and colorful costumes designed by Susan Hilferty were attractive and showy. From the white and silver costumes of the Ziegfeld Follies that were sparkling and dripping like diamonds to the colorful dresses and pettiskirts of the dancers on Henry Street, to the large flower hats of the chorus girls, the detailing of the costumes was first-rate. Overall, Funny Girl is an amazing Broadway show revival that brings lively dances and impassioned songs with a true Broadway flare. Appropriate for all ages, this is a show you will want to get tickets to if you can. However, ‘don’t just sit and putter’ Funny Girl is only here for a few nights.
