Theater Review: The Tour of "Funny Girl" at The Bushnell

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The tour of “Funny Girl,” the hit Broadway Musical, has arrived with a bang to conclude the 2023/2024 season at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford . The revival of the classic musical features an updated book by Harvey Fierstein, and updated choreography by Ellenore Scott and thrilling tap choreography by Ayodele Casel. Michael Mayer directs this ultimately bittersweet comedy about the life of Fanny Brice.

The classic music of Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill soars, with the music that was part of the beloved Barbara Striesand film augmented by many others. I was fascinated to learn that the lyricist could not read or write music and would plunk out melodies on a toy xylophone. The musical classics in the show include “I’m the Greatest Star,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “Sadie, Sadie,” “The Music That Makes Me Dance,” and the iconic “People.”

The action takes place backstage at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City in 1924, but the majority of the show is Brice’s memories of her past. She was born a Jewish immigrant and built a career in vaudeville, theater, film and radio. She became a barrier-breaking comedienne and performer, paving the way for women in comedy and her life story that is her rise to stardom inspired the musical and film.

Katerina McCrimmon gives a stellar performance as Fanny Brice. She has a powerhouse singing voice and nails the vulnerability and the confidence of the beloved comedian, who began as a Jewish girl growing up on Henry Street.

One of my all-time favorite singer/songwriters, Melissa Manchester, is touring with this company in the role of Mrs. Brice. She is a delight as the perfect Jewish mother and thankfully, gets to sing a bit as the character. Manchester writes that she returns to the theatrical stage to celebrate her 50 year career. With 19 Billboard charted hits, she was the first artist to have two Oscar-nominated songs in the same year. The Grammy-award winning singer has many hits, but my personal favorite is “Just You And I,”written by Melissa Manchester and Carole Bayer Sager. Fans of this talented performer will love seeing her in this role and can look forward to the release of her 25th album “RE: VIEW” this year.

Nicky Arnstein is played by Stephen Mark Lukas, who understudied the role on Broadway. He nailed the charm of Brice’s first husband. Izaiah Montague Harris, in his first Broadway National Tour, tap dances his way into the hearts of the audience as choreographer Eddie Ryan, who is a true friend to Fanny.

Leah Platt, recently seen as Tzeitel in the “Fiddler” first national tour, is lovely as Fanny’s assistant and Mrs. Nadler and understudies Fanny. Cindy Chang is delightful as Mrs. Meeker as is Eileen T’Kaye as Mrs. Stakosh, who understudies Mrs. Brice. David Foley, Jr. plays Tom Keeney; I love that Foley played Marlin in my favorite live production at Disney World, “Finding Nemo: The Musical.”

In the talented ensemble are Jack Bianchi, Kate E. Cook, Jackson Grove, Missy Marion, Dot Kelly, Ryan Lambert, Kathy Liu, Meghan Manning, Sami Murphy, Jordan Taylor, Sean Thompson, and Alex Hartman, who has appeared at ACT of CT. Dance Captain Bryan Charles Moore stepped up to play Florenz Ziegfeld on press night and Swing Vinny Andaloro became part of the ensemble. Ensemble members step up to play various supporting roles.

The costumes designed by Susan Hilferty (“Wicked,” “Parade”) are lavish for the Ziegfeld showgirls and working class period pieces for Henry Street and everything in between. Hair design by Campbell Young Associates adds to the look of the era.

The orchestra is comprised of touring musicians working alongside seven local musicians, all conducted by Music Director Elaine Davidson. Orchestrations by Chris Walker are impressive throughout. The set design by David Zinn is beautiful and often changing. Lighting design by Kevin Adams has many impressive views and is great overall and sound by Brian Ronan and Cody Spencer had some trouble at first but improved by the second act.

It was my first time seeing this musical and I loved it. “Funny Girl” continues its run at The Bushnell through June 23.

Tickets at https://bushnell.org/shows-con...

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.