Funny Girl

Stage review from The Movie Snob

Funny Girl. I'm sorry to report that it is too late for you to see Irving Lyric Stage's production of Funny Girl. I saw the show last night, and I believe it closed today. It was a thoroughly enjoyable show, even for someone like me who had never seen it before. I understand that Barbra Streisand pretty much owns the leading role of Fanny Bryce, but Kristin Dausch, the 22-year-old actress who played it in this production, did an exceptional job, especially with the singing. Based on a true story (loosely, from what Wikipedia says), the musical is the story of Fanny Bryce, a talented singer and actress who made it big in vaudeville, film, and radio way back when. She did not consider herself attractive, so she compensated by being funny--she was, perhaps, the Carol Burnett of her day. Of course there's a love story, as Fanny falls for the handsome gambler Nick Arnstein. It's a fine show, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. If you haven't ever treated yourself to a show by the Irving Lyric Stage, you are missing out!