Funny Girl on Hennepin: Fanny’s Flauntin’ Into Town - by Molly Pitzen

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 Funny Girl on Hennepin: Fanny’s Flauntin’ Into Town


When I think of classic musicals, there’s one name that comes to mind immediately: Funny Girl. Whether hearing Barbra Streisand in the ‘60s movie or Lea Michele on Glee, Fanny Brice is a staple to my personal theatre experience. Which is why I was excited to see the National tour of the 2022 Broadway revival, which originally didn’t have the most favorable reviews. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this show. Funny Girl at the Orpheum is a fun and interesting take on the famous musical, and, while not perfect, delivers a fantastic dose of classic musical comedy. 


It’d be amiss of me not to address the leading woman, Katarina McCrimmon, for her portrayal as fast-talking, joke-cracking Fanny Brice. McCrimmon’s Fanny was whimsical, dynamic, and hilarious, balancing comedic timing with vulnerability. She also doesn’t disappoint with iconic numbers such as “People,” “I’m The Greatest Star,” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade.” However, her vocal and acting choices felt almost like she was trying to replicate other actresses. Some of her mannerisms and singing felt less “Fanny” and more “Barbra,” and I would have loved to see her individualize her performance more. Other performances to note include the fantastic footwork of Izaiah Montaque Harris who plays Eddie, and Fanny’s loving and witty mother played by Barbara Tirrell.


The most eye-catching technical element of this show was the set of exposure lights that line the proscenium arch. These lights flash on and off in various patterns and colors during the most flashy numbers of the show, which help give a jazzy, classic feeling to the entire design. However, I would have loved it if they had limited the usage of these lights to give them more drama when used. The show also utilizes crisp spotlights, especially during 11 o’clock numbers. These lights add tension to the show and add excitement and buildup to the iconic numbers. 


It’s also worth mentioning the authenticity of some of the musical’s characters. In real life, Fanny Brice was openly Jewish, a fact that made her success so much more impressive, especially in the time period that she gained her success. This makes me believe that this show should have casted a Jewish woman as Fanny. McCrimmon, while talented, is not Jewish, which made some of the ties to Fanny’s Jewish heritage in the musical (Including a very obvious “Mazel Tov, Fanny” sign in the background of a scene) feel less authentic. While this wasn’t necessarily a factor in the performance itself, it would have been really wonderful to see a Jewish actress play the titular role. 


All-in-all, Funny Girl is a jazzy classic, while still offering something fresh in this new take on the original piece. While some elements may not be perfect, the show is still incredibly enjoyable, dynamic, and- well- funny, and it will be sure to make for an exciting evening full of laughter and joy. 

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