Reviewer: Howard Steven Frydman aka “The Howard”
Production: FUNNY GIRL
Theater: Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Music: Jules Styne
Lyrics: Bob Merrill
Book: Isobel Lennart
Revised Book: Harvey Fierstein
Director: Michael Mayer
Choreographer: Ellenore Scott
The Howard Says – “Funny Girl – A Summer Love at the Bushnell
It’s a Connecticut summer day, its hot, and the hottest ticket in town is the Bushnell’s presentation of the Broadway Classic- “Funny Girl.” My friends it is indeed a “Summer Love”- an “enjoyable ecstasy of music, mirth and the glorious “show stopper” Katerina McCrimmon as that original Ziegfeld Follies Gal- Fanny Brice, and “The One – The Only” Ms. Melissa Manchester as Mrs. Brice. I must say – The Bushnell- you certainly had our attention the last few months, and we sadly say a fond farewell to your Broadway series till next we meet. But for now – “Life is candy and the sun’s a ball of butter- don’t bring around a cloud to rain on my – OUR Parade”! Brava to this amazing cast of “Funny Girl” The “best of Broadway” – choose your seat and head this way to the Bushnell!
This hot pre-summer day- yes, the heat is upwards of 90, the cool buzz, is that not only is our lead, Katerina McCrimmon, performing in a role that was so meant for her, that you actually forget the role originator was Barbara Streisand. The other buzzing bee is that singing sensation, Grammy Award Winner, and music icon, Melissa Manchester is also in the house performing in the role of Fanny’s mom. As I am often want to do on occasion, I strike up a conversation with two women holding bouquets of flowers, who like myself, are waiting for the Bushnell’s doors to open. I ask if the flowers are for a friend in the show? In unison, they both smile at each other and state, they’re for Melissa Manchester. We have traveled all day from Roanoke, Virginia just to hear her sing- we have been following her ever since she was with Bette Midler as one of her backup singers “The Harlettes.” As they say, its nice to have such loyal fans.
This Broadway revival tour of “Funny Girl” has indeed made a most welcome stop here in Connecticut. With a book by Isobel Lennart, newly adapted revised book by Harvey Fierstein and with oh-so familiar music and lyrics by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, we are thrust back to the days of Vaudeville, and one of its undeniable main stars, the one and only, the original radio star – “Baby Snooks, the Grand Dame of Comedy- Fanny Brice – affectionately known as the illustrious “Funny Girl”. We follow Fanny’s frantic journey to become “I’m the Greatest Star,” to her courtship with Nicky Arnstein, Nicky Arnstein, Nicky Arnstein – say it three times its almost like praying – sorry that’s from “West Side Story”. By the way, please note, the production’s most excellent live orchestra and their absolutely amazing Overture, actually starts with the strains of Nicky Arnstein- remember I told you first!!
As I was mentioning to my dear friend Connecticut playwright Jacques Lamarre, recipient of the 2024 Connecticut Critic’s Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, I so enjoy song and lyrics you can hum home. My friends “The Howard” is humming all through the night! From my seat at the Rear of the Bushnell, I can plainly hear, Katerina McCrimmon’s crystal clear voice, like a summer day at the nearby Dunkin Donut Baseball Park, Katerina McCrimmon belts one song out after the other – yes – “out of the park” -BAMM! -Belting out such “Funny Girl” standards as “If A Girl Isn’t Pretty”, I’m the Greatest Star”, “Nicky Arnstein”, “People” and the first act showstopper- “Don’t Rain on My Parade”.
My friends, this is an amazing all singing, all dancing joyous “leap for the sun” cast, However, I must, I must, I must present the coveted “Howard Noticed You” Award, AKA “The HNY’s to Mr. Izaiah Montaque Harris for his absolutely amazing tap-dancing skills – he stops the show with thunderous applause! Folks, this is the perfect summer getaway – “Funny Girl at the Bushnell” – Connecticut’s live theater at it’s best! Enjoy!
Tickets for FUNNY GIRL are available online at bushnell.org, by calling (860) 987-5900 or by visiting The Bushnell Box Office at 166 Capitol Avenue (Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The Bushnell’s Broadway Series is sponsored by Travelers with support from Webster Bank.
Howard Steven Frydman aka “The Howard” is General Manager and Executive Director of BATV – Channels 5, 95 & 96 and a member of the CCC. Please feel free to contact Mr. Frydman with your thoughts and ideas at TheHoward24@gmail.com.
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