Photo: Matthew Murphy
Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, David Babani and NETworks Presentations are thrilled to announce the North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL launching in September 2023. The tour will officially open at Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI from September 9-16, 2023, before continuing to more than 30 cities coast-to-coast, including Atlanta, GA and Detroit, MI. Additional tour cities and casting will be announced at a later date.
“We are immensely proud of this revival of FUNNY GIRL,” said producers Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani, “It’s been 27 years since FUNNY GIRL last toured the country and we are excited to introduce this classic musical to a new generation of theatergoers.”
President and CEO of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, stated, “We think it’s splendid that PPAC has the distinction of launching the national tour of FUNNY GIRL. We are looking forward to welcoming the company of FUNNY GIRL to our beautiful city of Providence this fall!”
Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs this brand-new FUNNY GIRL, featuring the classic score by Tony, Grammy and Academy®Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Bob Merrill, (comprising additional songs from Styne & Merrill). The original book by Isobel Lennart, from an original story by Miss Lennart, is revised by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.
This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she'd never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” Michael Mayer’s bold new production marks the first time FUNNY GIRL has returned to Broadway since its debut 58 years ago and this is the first national tour of the production since 1996.
FUNNY GIRL features choreography by Ellenore Scott, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn, costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kevin Adams, sound design by Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, hair & wig design by Campbell Young Associates, music direction and supervision by Emmy Award winner Michael Rafter, casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA and Jason Thinger, orchestrations by Chris Walker, dance, vocal and incidental music arrangements by Alan Williams, and additional arrangements by David Dabbon and Carmel Dean.
The current production of FUNNY GIRL began performances at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre on March 22, 2022, with the official opening on April 24, 2022, where it continues its recording breaking run, setting a new box office weekly gross record at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street) for the week ending January 1, 2023.
Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani together with Gemini Theatrical, Accidental Jacket and Sony Masterworks Broadway recently announced the digital release of FUNNY GIRL – New Broadway Cast Recording, which is now available wherever you stream music. Produced by David Caddick and David Lai and featuring the classic score by Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics), the physical CD is set for release on Friday, January 20, 2023 and available here. The album is co-produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis, David Babani, Michael Mayer, Brian Gillet, Huck Walton, Sean Keller and Marc Levine. The album is executive produced by Evan McGill and associate producersare Joanna Drowos, Abby Green and PickleStar Theatricals.
The Broadway production is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, David Babani, Roy Furman, No Guarantees, Adam Blanshay Productions, Daryl Roth, Stephanie P. McClelland, Lang Entertainment Group, Playing Field, Gavin Kalin, Charles & Nicolas Talar, Fakston Productions, Sanford Robertson, Craig Balsam, Cue to Cue Productions, LenoffFedermanWolofsky Productions, Judith Ann Abrams / Peter May, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Elizabeth Armstrong, Jane Bergère, Jean Doumanian, Larry Magid, Rosalind Productions, Iris Smith, Kevin & Trudy Sullivan, Julie Boardman / Kate Cannova, Heni Koenigsberg / Michelle Riley, Mira Road Productions / Seaview, In Fine.