Review: FUNNY GIRL, Ensemble Arts Philly - North American tour
Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman
Funny Girl hit the North American road last summer, just days after the controversial Broadway production played its final performance. The touring cast and ensemble seem to have skipped over any drama to make Funny Girl the classic musical drama that audiences have loved for generations.
The premise is a young Jewish girl (Fanny Brice) growing up in the Lower East Side of New York City following WWI. She isn’t the prettiest or coolest girl but she has a knack for comedy and the musical chops to draw a crowd. She rises to stardom and lands the man of her dreams (or is he just a fantasy?) and enjoys many of the riches that the world has to offer. However, things take a sudden twist and she realises that she has what it takes to be the greatest star all on her own.
The first time this writer saw Funny Girl, the character of Fanny was too needy and too much but this production tones her down and allows her to be human. Katerina McCrimmon has both an incredible voice and range. She plays everything from vaudeville to elegant lady with ease and has a perfect grasp of comedic timing. The rest of the cast also do an incredible job, not just as support to her but of telling their own stories. Melissa Manchester as Mrs. Brice is the Jewish mother that we all wish would make us a bowl of steaming hot matzah ball soup. Izaiah Montaque Harris is a delight and his tap dancing was mesmerising and show stopping. Stephen Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein is both charming and contemptable, showing the humanity in being a crook and makes the audience fall in love. Every single supporting cast member does a great job.
The audience slowed down the production several times with applause and appreciation after ‘I’m The Greatest Star’, ‘You Are Woman, I Am Man’, ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’, and ‘What do Happy People Do’.
The 17-piece orchestra revives Jule Styne’s original score of Funny Girl and bedazzles the audience by bringing forth the old Broadway charm complete with pulsing lights around the proscenium. Together, the music and lights become more intense or softer to replicate Fanny’s life. At home, the lights are dim and often melancholy but when she is on the stage, she glows like the exuberant star that she has become. The razzle dazzle of Broadway loses its sparkle briefly but shines even brighter than before during the finale.
Funny Girl is only in Philadelphia for a short time so get your tickets quickly before it’s too late. If you miss it, or loved it as much as we did, check it out at its next stop too!
Passionate and iconic.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers
Funny Girl plays at The Academy of Music, Ensemble Arts Philly until 28 July, with further info here.