I think this is the first time I’ve ever written this in a story: RUN, DON’T WALK, TO THE ORPHEUM AND SEE FUNNY GIRL.
Like many people, I remember seeing Barbra Streisand on television singing the show’s big hit, “People.” She played Fanny Brice in the 1964 Broadway production.
I knew all the songs. I learned how to play “People” by ear on the piano. We didn’t buy the “original soundtrack album,” but I think we rented it at the library — back when you could do that.
I saw the 1968 movie with Streisand delivering her well-deserved Oscar-winning performance, but I’d never seen the show until I attended the opening night performance of Funny Girl October 10th at The Orpheum.
Wow. I was blown away. I was telling people it was “the feel-good musical of the year 1964.” But it’s also the feel good musical of 2023.
The cast was great, but I’m going to single out Katerina McCrimmon, who played Fanny Brice. What a voice. She held the audience mesmerized as she sang on “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “I’m the Greatest Star,” just to name a couple.
I asked Brett Batterson, Orpheum president and CEO, what he thought about McCrimmon. “This is probably going to be her big break. Doing this tour,” he says. “She’s blowing away all the critics across the country with the power of her voice.”
And, he adds, “I think we’re going to see her doing something big on Broadway, some day, because of this tour.”
Batterson first heard McCrimmon’s voice on a video some friends in Providence, Rhode Island, sent him. “This tour was launched in Providence not too long ago,” he says. “They sent me an email: ‘OMG you are going to love Katrina.” And they just raved about how good she was.”
Batterson hasn’t yet met McCrimmon, but he did meet Melissa Manchester, who plays — to perfection — Brice’s mother. “I’m such a Melissa Manchester fan. I wrote a fan letter in the program to Melissa Manchester.”
Funny Girl will run through Sunday, October 15th. “The show is doing well, says Batterson. “And we’re very early in the tour. Our sales are strong compared to other markets. We’re doing well.”
And the good news for those who haven’t gotten tickets? “There are still seats available.”
So, let me reiterate: RUN. DON’T WALK.
