Funny Girl

 Funny Girl
August Wilson Theatre
August 13, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Funny Girl

The Broadway revival of Funny Girl is going through major changes this summer.  Julie Benko is beautifully carrying the show forward.  She embraces the role of Fanny Brice and grows with her throughout the story.  From youthful insecurity to magnetic stardom, Ms. Benko fully captures the heart of the character.  Her voice is strong and expresses the emotional range needed to fully engages the audience.  Under the direction of Michael Mayer, the production is bright and evenly paced.  The tap choreography, by Ayodele Casel, is stylistic and sharp. 

The story starts at the end.  Fanny Brice (played by Julie Benko) is a Ziegfeld star.  She is in her dressing room getting ready to open a new show.  She is anxiously waiting for her husband, Nick Arnstein (played by Jeremiah James, understudy).  Her nervousness brings her thoughts to the start of her career.  She is a young Jewish girl from Brooklyn with big dreams.  Her mother (played by Jane Lynch) believes in her, yet her mother’s two friends (played by Toni DiBueno and Debra Carona) have their doubts.  While appearing in a Vaudeville act, she befriends the choreographer, Eddie Ryan (played by Jared Grimes).  He works overtime with her to prepare for the show.  After the opening night performance, she meets Nick Arnstein, who recognizes her as the star she is.  Fanny falls in love at first sight, but does not meet up with Nick for another year.  By that time she is working for Florenz Ziegfeld (played by Peter Francis James).  Fanny and Nick start a romance that changes both their lives in ways neither of them expected. 

Julie Benko as Fanny Brice
Photo courtesy of Funny Girl

Jeremiah James and Julie Benko work well together as Nick and Fanny.  Sparks fly in the scene when they first meet.  Their hearts open when they sing “People."  Their characters mature as their relationship develops.  The final scene, when Nick returns, is their finest.  It is grounded and sincere.  Fanny is left with a decision to make.  Ms. Benko digs deep to portray the courage Fanny musters to move forward.  It is a powerful moment.  We understand how she become the comic legend she was born to be. 

Toni DiBueno, Debra Cardona, and Jane Lynch make a great trio.  Their comic timing succinctly creates the Jewish Brooklyn community of Fanny’s upbringing,  It has a consistent feeling of home every time the story return to them. 

Jared Grimes & Julie Benko
Photo courtesy of Funny Girl

Jared Grimes shines as Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s friend and choreographer who supports her on her rise to stardom.  His character is bold and enthusiastic.  His tap dancing is phenomenal.

Funny Girl is sure to transform with the casting changes that are coming in the next month.  No matter which cast you see, the story of Fanny Brice is sure to inspire you. 

Domenick Danza

Hillary and Clinton

Hillary and Clinton

Golden Theatre

April 27, 2019

Photo courtesy of Hillary and Clinton

It is 2008 in New Hampshire and Hillary Clinton (played by Laurie Metcalf) is losing in the primary to Barack Obama (played by Peter Francis James).  She calls her husband, Bill (played by John Lithgow), to help her.  Her campaign manager, Mark (played by Zak Orth), is dead set against Bill Clinton’s help in the campaign.  Barack offers Hillary the position of running mate if she drops out of the race.  She wins New Hampshire, and makes the same offer to Barack.

In Hillary and Clinton Playwright Lucas Hnath has written a fictional account of these conversations in a highly successful effort to deliver a strong message.  By writing these well known, true characters, Mr. Hnath engages his audience on an emotional level right from the start.  He frames the play with an opening and closing monologue that broadens the magnitude of the spectrum already established by these characters, and puts into perspective his themes of winning vs. losing, personality vs. professional accomplishments, and right time vs. wrong time.

Laurie Metcalf as Hillary Clinton
Photo courtesy of Hillary and Clinton

If you think, as I did, that any production starring Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow that is directed by Joe Mantello has got to be good, this show proves that point.  Joe Mantello shapes the action and layers in moments of honesty, humor, and irony.  Ms. Metcalf is riveting, as always.  Mr. Lithgow is simply remarkable.  Neither of them attempts an imitation of the people they portray.  They both create individual and genuine characters facing personal challenges while juggling monumental reality.  Equally strong performances are also delivered by Zak Orth and Peter Francis James.

Hillary and Clinton is playing at the Golden Theatre.  Go see this show!  You will be engaged on numerous levels and propelled into deep thought on more than just the subject matter.

Domenick Danza