FUNNY GIRL Music by Jules Styne; Lyrics by Bob Merrill : Book by Isobel Lennart from an original story by Miss Lennart based on incidents in the life of Fanny Brice. Produced on the Broadway stage by Ray Stark : New York production supervised by Jerome Robbins : Original production directed by Garson Kanin Winter Garden, New York - 26 March, 1964 (1348 perfs) Prince of Wales Theatre, London - 13 April, 1966 Funny Girl is based on incidents in the life of the Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice shortly before, during and after World War I and chronicles her rise from being an awkward, unattractive, stage-struck teenager to national stardom. It also covers the story of her love for and subsequent failed marriage to Nick Arnstein, an elegant, sophisticated an whose charm Fanny finds irresistible. The show is full of the kind of good music that we come to expect from Jule Styne and included several show-stopping numbers including "People" and "Don't Let It Rain on My Parade". STORY Act I Fanny is a stage-struck teen who gets her first job in vaudeville. Her mother and her friend Mrs. Strakosh try to dissuade her from show business because Fanny is not the typical beauty (“If a Girl Isn’t Pretty”). But Fanny perseveres (“I’m the Greatest Star”) and is helped and encouraged by Eddie Ryan, a dancer she meets in the vaudeville shows. Once Fanny’s career takes off, Eddie and Mrs. Brice lament that once she’s on Broadway she’ll forget about them (“Who Taught Her Everything?”). Fanny performs a supposedly romantic number in the Follies, but she turns it into a classic comic routine, ending the number as a pregnant bride (“His Love Makes Me Beautiful”), causing an uproar. She meets the sophisticated and handsome Nick Arnstein, who accompanies Fanny to her mother’s opening night party on “Henry Street”. Fanny is clearly falling in love with Nick, while acknowledging their complex vulnerabilities (“People”). Later they meet in Baltimore and have a private dinner at a swanky restaurant and declare their feelings (“You Are Woman”). Fanny is determined to marry Nick, regardless of his gambling past (“Don’t Rain on My Parade”). Act II They do marry and move to a mansion on Long Island (“Sadie, Sadie”). In the meantime, Mrs. Strakosh and Eddie suggest to Miss Brice that she should find a man to marry, now that her daughter is supporting her (“Find Yourself a Man”). Fanny has become a major star with the Ziegfeld Follies (“Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat”). Nick asks Ziegfeld to invest in a gambling casino, but although Ziegfeld passes, Fanny insists on investing. When the venture fails and they lose their money, Fanny tries to make light of it, which propels Nick to get involved in a shady bond deal, resulting in his arrest for embezzlement. Fanny feels helpless but stronger than ever in her love for him (“The Music That Makes Me Dance”). In the present, Fanny is waiting for Nick to arrive and has time to reflect on her situation. Nick arrives, newly released from prison, and he and Fanny decide to separate. She is heartbroken, but resolves to pick up her life again (“Don’t Rain on My Parade, Reprise”). CAST - Male - 19; Female - 16; plus showgirls, dancers and chorus. Fanny Brice Mrs Brice, her mother Mrs Strakosh Tom Keeney Eddie Ryan Nick Arnstein Florenz Ziegfeld Jnr. Emma Jenny Mrs Meeker, Mrs O'Malley, Heckie, John, Bubbles, Polly, Maude, Mimsey, Ziegfeld tenor, Jody, Adolf, Mrs Nadler, Paul, Cathy, Vera, Ben, Mr. Renaldi, etc.
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