This Broadway classic is back! Funny Girl, which embarked on a national tour following its hit Broadway revival, is dazzling audiences at the Kravis Center all week long. Directed by Michael Mayer, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, and book by Isobel Lennart (revised for the revival by Harvey Fierstein), the semi-biographical musical is based on the life and career of comedienne, singer, and actress Fanny Brice (Hannah Shankman), chronicling her dreams of becoming a star, subsequent rise to fame, and tumultuous relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick “Nicky” Arnstein (Stephen Mark Lukas). Fanny was a true trailblazer for Jewish women in the entertainment realm, particularly in terms of her work in theater and comedy, and was unapologetic about her Jewishness even in a world that would have once rather had her blend in than stand out. First brought to the stage in the 1964 Broadway production and 1966 West End run, then translated to the screen in the 1968 film, all three starring icon Barbra Streisand as Fanny, Funny Girl has captivated a wide variety of fans for decades. Now, it’s South Floridians’ turn to be wowed by the incomparable Fanny and her story!
The role of Fanny Brice has certainly left some big shoes to fill over the years. Hannah Shankman is a perfect fit, nailing both the comedic timing and the vocal demands of the role, the silly and the serious sides of Fanny’s personality. She’ll make you laugh in numbers like “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” and “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat,” and take your breath away in famed songs like “I’m the Greatest Star,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” and “The Music That Makes Me Dance.” Shankman takes the audience on Fanny’s emotional journey from starry-eyed girl who dreamed of seeing her name in lights, the self-described “bagel on a plate of onion rolls” who always knew her unique gifts made her stand out, to successful woman who wonders if fame is truly all it’s cracked up to be. It could be said that your level of investment in Fanny’s story will decide your overall viewing experience, and with Shankman’s performance, you will certainly be rooting for this leading lady from start to finish! Stephen Mark Lukas, who understudied the role of Nick Arnstein in the Broadway revival, sweeps viewers off their feet—despite Nick’s rocky past (and how it might repeat itself), you’ll surely be charmed by him at first sight, just like Fanny is, thanks to Lukas’s fantastic performance. The duo’s chemistry shines through onstage as well, as the audience follows Fanny and Nick through the ups and downs of their relationship.
The show’s supporting cast—and stellar ensemble—is equally as strong as its leading lady and her man! Singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester is wonderful and laugh-out-loud funny as Fanny’s mother, Mrs. Brice, and Izaiah Montaque Harris will have you wanting to dance as the talented tapper, and Fanny’s good friend, Eddie Ryan. I was so impressed by both of their performances, and also really enjoyed how the ensemble was used throughout the show. Because Fanny is a part of the famous Ziegfeld Follies (a lavish stage revue produced by the renowned Broadway showman Florenz Ziegfeld, played in this production by Walter Coppage), the musical includes a few show-within-a-show numbers wherein the ensemble is also heavily featured, such as the aforementioned “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” and “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat.” While I personally wished we had gotten to see even more of the ensemble, I thought they did a fabulous job, making the audience feel as if they were truly at a Follies show!
Another highlight of the show for me was the costumes. The show spans several years in Fanny’s life—from the 1910s until 1924—and costumes are always a great way to enhance the feeling of being in a specific time period or era, which these certainly did, thanks to the work of Costume Designer Susan Hilferty. From a Ziegfeld Follies headpiece to Fanny’s iconic red suit, viewers get a real sense of the setting that the show is grounded in. The set design is relatively simple yet beautifully done by Scenic Designer David Zinn, allowing Fanny and the other performers to shine every step of the way. Equally impressive was the lighting design by the Tony award-winning Lighting Designer Kevin Adams—after all, Funny Girl is largely about what happens when you’re thrust into the spotlight, and this would (literally) not be possible without Adams’s work. Another standout, in my eyes, was the choreography by Elleanore Scott and tap choreography by Ayodele Casel; I was truly in awe of the routines they created, and especially enjoyed the moments where Eddie (Harris) was able to show off his tap-dancing skills! Overall, the crew does a masterful job at bringing Fanny Brice’s world to life.
There’s a reason Funny Girl is so beloved, whether it’s performed in 1965 or 2025. A timeless, bittersweet tale of perseverance, ambition, and the strength found in staying true to oneself, it’s a show that will bring a smile to your face and tug at your heartstrings all at once. Don’t miss your chance to find out more about “the greatest star” and the indelible impact she had on show business—her story is one that you won’t soon forget!
Funny Girl runs at the Kravis Center through February 2. Purchase your tickets here.
