Monday, September 01, 2008

Broadway Monday

Funny Girl
"The musical is set in and around New York City just prior to and following World War I. Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice, awaiting the return of husband Nick Arnstein from prison, reflects on their life together, and their story is told as a flashback. Fanny is shown as a stage-struck teen who gets her first job in vaudeville. Her success as both a comedienne, and a singer leads her to meeting the sophisticated Nick Arnstein. They soon become romantically involved and marry. As Fanny becomes a major star with Ziegfield, Nick's business ventures fail and he is arrested for embezzlement.The musical ends where it started: Nick arrives, and he and Fanny decide to separate."
Funny Girl, the true story of Fanny Brice, sounds depressing but in reality this musical was a huge success, spawned a number of hits, and most importantly helped propel a young Barbara Streisand into the stratosphere!
In 1968 the show was forever captured on film as Funny Girl made it to the big screen. A great comparison of the stage production vs. the film, song by song, can be found here. Apparently the only permanent record of the Broadway show is the cast recording.
Today's feature gives me the chance to feature my favorite Fanny Brice, Stephanie J. Block. Enjoy her awesome rendition of Don't Rain On My Parade!

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