What makes this show so successful is the role of Fanny Brice; it’s as simple as that. FUNNY GIRL made Barbara Streisand a star when she performed this semi-autobiographical musical version of a real-life American comedienne on Broadway in 1964 and in London’s West End in 1966. In 1968, the studio film was released, in which she again took the lead role opposite Omar Shariff, and the deal was sealed.

“It became so associated with Barbara that for decades few even brought up FUNNY GIRL or thought about reviving it. London was the first city to successfully stage it in 2015, with a new book by Harvey Fierstein, directed by Michael Mayer. And then, in the 2022 Broadway revival (also directed by Mayer and using the same revised book), we all saw Beanie Feldstein replaced by GLEE’s Lea Michele, who seemed to finally land a role she was destined for after years of playing a character (Rachel Berry) who craved it on television.

It seemed that the role of real-life vaudeville comedian Fanny Brice was reserved for only the “biggest stars by far.” Others would fall behind them. So I went to see this tour of this Broadway version of FUNNY GIRL with Katerina McCrimmon wondering if I would be disappointed. I wasn’t. In fact, I was blown away and felt like I had discovered someone who could very well be the next big star.

No “star aura”, no “starego”! Katerina played and sang her way through the score with this wonderful ensemble and rocked the house. The little Latina from Miami is a worthy successor to this dazzling legacy and is celebrating her one-year anniversary as a director with this tour stop in Houston. She sings the role brilliantly, but also embodies Fanny Brice in a breathtaking way.

Katerina McCrimmon somewhat resembles Lea Michele physically, but she makes the lead role entirely her own. She originally appeared on Broadway in a Tennessee Williams revival of THE ROSE TATTOO—she’s an actress with a great voice, not the other way around. Katerina knows how to deliver a song as a monologue, tempering her ability to sing loudly with the instinctive assurance of knowing when to whisper, too. She adds structure, she adds heart, she adds feeling. She brings a little of herself, but she inhabits Fanny Brice, and the end result is mesmerizing. You really feel this woman who has had incredible luck in show business but terrible times in love. During the second act, as we delve deeper and deeper into Fanny’s emotions, Katerina shines, showing that she can serve up heartbreak and joy in equal doses.

But Katerina is not alone here. Pop star Melissa Manchester is almost unrecognizable in look and voice in her role as Fanny’s stage mother Rose Brice. Who would have thought that the “Don’t Cry Out Loud” singer was an actress who could pull off a role as well as Katerina? Manchester is a joy to watch, and ironically, she was even once considered as an option for the role of Fanny in a revival. Stephen Mark Lukas played Nick Arnstein on Broadway and continues to tour with this tour. He is remarkable with both his voice and his physical presence. He looks like a movie star and backs it up with a solid sense of stagecraft. He is pure perfection in the mirror image of Fanny, but also sinister when he needs to be. And that’s exactly what this triple-threat trio brings to the lead roles of FUNNY GIRL. They all know when to be affected, but instinctively know when to play the scenes dramatically and add nuance and depth to a show that could easily be a star turn for any of them. For the first time, I saw Fanny and the world around her, rather than Barbara or Lea taking turns. It rings true, which gives the show a freshness. Finally, we can see FUNNY GIRL without any baggage!

The production itself is strong on all levels. The ensemble cast of singers and dancers deliver everything from stunning tap dance numbers to Ziegfeld Follies-style kicklines. Izaiah Montaque Harris shows off his skills as the remarkably lovable Eddie Ryan. Walter Coppage also brings a lot of grace to the role of Florenz Ziegfeld, the company’s owner. Susan Hilferty’s costumes work wonders and David Zinn’s set is cotton candy perfection. There are really no missteps in this touring show, and one feels no disconnect or sense that someone couldn’t bring this back to Broadway in a heartbeat.

The only downside is what has plagued FUNNY GIRL for years. Fanny Brice was a tragic figure in real life who fell for the wrong guy, and in this musical you feel that from the start. As an audience, we’re waiting for Fanny to finally realize what we know, which is that she’s way too good for this con artist. While Harvey Fierstein’s revised book makes things flow more smoothly, there’s still a passage in the second act that drags a little. But at its core, FUNNY GIRL is about learning to love yourself. It’s a tribute to a woman who keeps getting beaten down but doesn’t let anything stop her. The songs are perfect, the music is catchy, and so what if she seems to meander a little to get to her destination? The script may drag a little, but I didn’t mind because this cast dazzled me through the rough spots.

This is an exceptional version of FUNNY GIRL, and Katerina McCrimmon is stunning as Fanny Brice. The entire cast is on point, and seeing Melissa Manchester and Stephen Mark Lukas just makes it even better. This is not to be missed if you’re a fan of a time when musicals weren’t just about flashy effects and catchy hooks. This is a joyful reminder of what this art form was and should be – a way to tell a story that goes a little deeper than you expect. It’s a stirring show with characters you empathize with. Watch it for the songs, and love it for the acting too. I think even Barbara Streisand would be impressed.

FUNNY GIRL is showing at the HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS through August 25. It is part of the Broadway at the Hobby Center series. Parking is available in the garage for $15, valet parking is available for $25. Diana American Girl is attached to the lobby and there is a Grand Bistro serving food before the shows.

Photo provided by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade Productions and features Melissa Manchester and Katerina McCrimmon

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