@showsiveseen "Funny Girl" classic #musical from Broadway Seattle & @Seattle Theatre Group at Paramount Theatre. Starring @Hannah Shankman w/ her effortlessly powerful steady voice. Mister Arnstein understudied by Travis Ward-Osborne. What a spectacle of costumes, (tap) dance, & showstoppers! Closes tomorrow w/ only 4 more performances left! Review: showsiveseen.com/9850 Director: Michael Mayer Choreography: @✨Ellenore Scott✨ & @Ayodele Casel Conductor: Elaine Davidson Stage Manager: Jovon E. Shuck & Kyle Dannahey #funnyGirl #theatre #showsiveseen @FUNNY GIRL ♬ Don't Rain on My Parade (Glee Cast Version) – Glee Cast
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Funny Girl classic musical from Broadway Seattle and Seattle Theatre Group at Paramount Theatre. Starring Hannah Shankman with her effortlessly powerful steady voice. Mister Arnstein understudied by Travis Ward-Osborne. What a spectacle of costumes, (tap) dance, and showstoppers!
See it!
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): An average-looking funny girl tries to make it in show biz and win the affections of a rich man. This story is based on the real-life Fanny Brice.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Featuring one of the most iconic scores of all time by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, choreography by Ellenore Scott, and direction from Michael Mayer, this love letter to the theatre has the whole shebang! The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 9/24/24 – Get your tickets now since this national tour leaves Seattle 9/29/24!
Type: Musical
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several
Static (Stationary) Set? No
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate the jokes more if you’re Jewish American.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Equity Actors: All
Total Number of Actors: Too many to count
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I attended a community theatre production at the San Pedro Playhouse in San Antonio.
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? I think so
Mainstream Appeal: High
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
- Vocals: Hannah Shankman’s (who played the main character Fanny Brice) voice was an effortlessly steady powerhouse (if not a tad too nasal). I would love to hear her sing jazz standards. She really shined in “Cornet Man,” “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “The Music That Makes Me Dance.”
- Showstopping (or “Show-pausing?”) Applause: There were several extended ovations throughout the show when the actors paused longer than normal till the crowd finished clapping like after “I’m the Greatest Star,” “The Music That Makes Me Dance,” and Eddie’s tap dance solo.
- Stage Bulbs: The light bulbs surrounding the stage opening conveyed an old timey showbiz vibe that perfectly complemented the story’s subject matter.
- Costumes: Costume designer Susan Hilferty curated an expansive, diverse, and visually captivating repertoire. Additionally, it was a wise artistic decision to showcase the costumes from each major song at the show bookends.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
- Casting: The Fanny Brice main character role is best suited for an actress who is more homely or at least awkward. Hannah Shankman fit neither of those requirements since she was prettier than average, and she portrayed her role with confidence like the quirky Zooey Deschanel. The character would have been more convincing if Hannah roughed up her face or sold the awkwardness to the audience more. She redeemed herself a bit during the standing ovations when she humbly accepted the audience’s applause.
- “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” Song: Fanny’s extreme reluctance to perform this song was incredibly puzzling. She’d have to look like a disfigured dog to merit the extraordinary efforts taken to avoid performing the song. The assholes who sang “If a Girl Isn’t Pretty” gave her this complex!
- Gender Commentary: The script is a wonderful commentary on binary gender roles. Society internalizes obsession with women’s appearances while men aren’t examined with the same scrutiny. (Even my previous two bullet points were about a woman’s appearance!) It was refreshing to see moments of Fanny’s resilience and positivity despite society’s expectations pulling her down. While the show ended on an empowering feminist note, the misogynistic pathway to get there was sometimes painful to watch. The first verse to “You Are Woman, I Am Man” embodied this pathway encouraging women to make themselves smaller so their insecure partners can feel like big men. Fanny was a strong independent woman who don’t need no man!
Theatre Company: National Tour from Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group
Venue: Paramount Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
Price Range: $40-150 plus the insane Ticketmaster fees. Buy your ticket at the box office to avoid the exorbitant fees. Down with the Ticketmaster Live Nation monopoly!
Ticket Affordability Options: Seattle Theatre Group might partner with an organization you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, I believe UW employees/students are eligible for an organization discount.
Dates: September 24 to 29, 2024
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: Paid street parking and paid garage parking. The best parking garage is under the convention center w/ the entrance on Pike around the Pike and Terry intersection. Last I checked, this is one of the cheapest, least busy, and closest garages. Alternatively, you can probably find street parking as you move closer to the West Precinct (810 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101). Do NOT park where the Paramount subscribers park. Last I checked, they usually park in the garage attached to the Cheesecake Factory. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to exit that garage after the show.
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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:
- https://funnygirlonbroadway.com/
- https://www.stgpresents.org/events/funny-girl/
- https://seattle.broadway.com/shows/funny-girl/
- Program
Pictures: See pictures below by Matthew Murphy from MurphyMade.
Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below. In the 9/24/24 performance, Travis Ward-Osborne played the Nick Arnstein character, Vinny Andaloro played the Mr. Renaldi character, Emily Anne Nester played Alex Hartman’s track, and Sean Seamus Thompson played Mathew Fedorek’s track.
