“Hello, Gorgeous!” Funny Girl comes to Cleveland

by Marla Massie

“Funny Girl” is a semi-biographical comedy musical based on the life and career of Jewish vaudeville comedienne Fanny Brice and her tumultuous relationship with gambler Nick Arnstein. The play features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, and is based on a book written by Isobel Lennart. “Funny Girl” opened on Broadway in 1964 and starred a relatively unknown (at the time) Barbra Streisand, who reprised her role for the 1968 theatrical film release and earned eight nominations at the 18th Tony Awards. The Third US National Tour currently starring Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny Brice.

The play is mostly set in and around New York City between the late 1900’s through the late 1920’s, with a considerable amount occurring during World War 1. The story, told in two acts, begins with Fanny Brice at the New Amsterdam Theatre, preparing to perform onstage while anxiously awaiting the arrival of her husband Nick Arnstein, who has just been released from prison. From there, the play continues as a flashback, giving the audience a glimpse into their marriage, Fanny’s humble beginnings, and her rise to stardom.

As far back as she can remember, Fanny Brice always had dreams of the stage, entertaining a crowd under the bright lights, and NOTHING will stop her from achieving that dream, despite family and friends telling her she is “too unattractive” to do so (at least, by 1900’s standards, anyways). Fanny, however, has a powerful voice; both literally and figuratively. She can carry a tune and belt out notes like nobody’s business and will not be deterred by her well-intentioned family and friends. Fanny’s got stars in her eyes and wants to become a Ziegfeld Follies girl.

She manages to land a job in burlesque and vaudeville, becoming friends with Eddie Ryan, a talented dancer. Fanny can’t dance her way out of a paper bag, but with Eddie’s teaching and guidance, Fanny manages to clown her way through a performance and wins the crowd over, much to the chagrin of the theater’s owner. It is here where Fanny meets and falls head over heels for the handsome and charming Nick Arnstein. Her family and friends are mistrusting of him and rightfully so: he’s a con artist. Nick initially doesn’t reciprocate Fanny’s feelings, causing her to leave the stage to chase him across the country for his affection. When their feelings finally align, they wed. At this point, it seems like Fanny finally has it all: the glitz, the glamour, the man, and the stage…. but is it everything it’s cracked up to be? When deals go bad, money is lost, families are made, secrets are revealed, and hearts are broken, Fanny has to choose between her love for the stage where she feels the freest, or the love from her husband who is secretly jealous of her success.

Katerina McCrimmon absolutely shines as Fanny Brice. Her quirky mannerisms, overwhelming cheer and can-do attitude play well with her young, impressionable personality of a young Jewish girl growing up in the Lower East Side of New York City. Stephen Mark Lucas puts on an acceptable performance as the smooth-talking swindler Nick Arnstein; though vocally a baritone, his brooding voice was sometimes overpowered by the louder musical scores. 

Izaiah Montaque Harris stole the show in various scenes as Brice’s longtime friend Eddie Ryan. Harris’ tenor beautifully complements McCrimmon’s mezzo-soprano, but the incredible talent lies in his tap-dancing, with such melodic and methodical precision that the great Gregory Hines himself would beam with pride. 

The entire cast was very well put together and flowed seamlessly with one another through the massive musical scores and dance numbers. But what it all comes down to is this: you’ll bet your last dime in all of the world so far that Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny Brice is the greatest, greatest star. 

Don’t believe me? See it for yourself. Catch “Funny Girl” now through March 10. Tickets ($25-$115) are available at the Playhouse box office or at www.playhousesquare.org.