i think sarah jessica parker could pull off the broadway version. her voice isn't as good as streisands...but as i was watching the movie i couldnt help but think of how similar they were. i think it could be really good!
shareMaybe, but I don't think Sarah could sing "People," or the other songs that Barbra can sing. I'm not saying Sarah's a bad singer, just that she may not have the right pitch to be able to hit and hold the high notes.
shareno way she could pull off the songs.
sj parker is a great comedienne but not a singer. she's a bit too old for the part anyways.
The first actress that comes to mind for me who could pull off this role would be Rebecca York, who stole VICTOR/VICTORIA from Julie Andrews playing Norma Cassidy and also played Lilli Vannessi in a recent revival of KISS ME KATE.
shareIdina.Menzel.Perfect.
"Peace! I will stop your mouth."
I stand corrected...Menzel would be perfect.
shareAlthough a little old, Linda Eder certainly would have the voice
shareI agree that Linda Eder would be great vocally. But I'm not sure if she has the dextarity to pull of the broad range of emotions to be displayed. Fanny needs to make you laugh, make you proud, and be able to break your heart. You are right too. Linda's getting a little old.
To be honest, I don't know if there's anyone good enough to take on the role. It's a role so defined with Barbra. It's probably something that shouldn't be touched until after Barbra's death (heaven forbid). Wow. That's such a morbid thought.
"With all there is, why settle for just a piece of sky?" -Barbra Streisand/Yentl
Maybe Bette Midler coulda done it at one point---though vocally, she is NO Barbra Streisand.
A few years back, Debbie Gibson toured in "Funny Girl"---had it done well, it would have gone to Broadway but my guess is it didn't do too well
Wait... whatever happened to Lauren Frost? She played Barbra's younger self in her Timeless concert.
Bette could have done it fifteen years ago...she's too old now.
shareStephanie J. Block.
I've seen her in the part myself and she is fantastic.
Linda Eder is who I would cast...
But, no one will pull off a modern Brice...that's why it hasn't been done. Can't be done. It's Barbra. No other person.
(wouldn't mind a Funny Grandma, as she often jokes. :))
Julia Murney!!! Check out her rendition of People on youtube. It's simply amazing. Stephanie J Block would be great as well
“Be yourself. The world worships the original.”- Ingrid Berman
What about Ruthie Henshall? She definitely has the range, and she has great comedic timing.
shareI suggest Minnie Driver. Great actress, great pipes. Nothing and no one, however, can measure up to Babs.
share15 years ago, Bette would have been 46, the character of Fanny starts the play as a teenager. Barbra was 21 when she started rehearsals for the show.
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Would the actress chosen to play Fanny Brice be chosen to portray Fanny or Barbara-portraying Fanny?
shareBette should've been in this film instead of Baw baw, if you think vaudeville you think of Midler. The poster that said Bette could not compete vocally is way off base, he obviously hasn't listened to many of her earlier recordings nor does he understand her "gutsier" vocal style.
I actually liked this film as a kid, now I've tried to watch it again after many years and I want to throw up. I can't stand any more baw baw.
IDINA MENZEL WOULD BE PERFECT. IF THEY EVER MAKE A REMAIE OF THIS MOVIE SHE SHOULD GET THAT PART. I just saw her sing Don't Rain on my Parade and she was so good but barbra apparently didn't like it. Whatever, I still love Idina.
shareabsolutely not.
shareHer name is Rachel York, not Rebecca
Sutton Foster hands down and that would be you Tony winner!
shareI know this sounds weird (no offense to poster, but this was a weird and hard post to reply to) - now, I have never seen her act, but if she could, Christina Aguilera would be great, and she can hit the notes. Now if I had to chose one that I know can act - it would have to be anne hathaway! I am not looking for a debate, nor am i trying to have to explain myself.............this is just my own little opinion and I am sure I could think of someone better but I cant right now!
"once bitten, it begins.......twice bitten, it all ends"
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Fanny Brice was not an attractive woman in real life. Thus the SWAN LAKE 'change' by "Fanny". Christina would be too far from the looks of the real Fanny. Sarah Jessica would have the look, but not the voice to carry the big tunes. I think Barbra was the perfect person to cast as Fanny (Bette Midler, maybe when she was in her 20's - almost more correct in the looks department!) and it would be difficult to cast someone else in that role. Unless..an unknown happens upon the entertainment world.
shareI have always said this about a possible Broadway revival of "Funny Girl". The only actress around that I know of that could pull it off is Mayim Bialik of "Blossom" and "Beaches" fame. She has the ethnicity and the voice to pull it off. She is also still young enough to play the neophyte Fanny Brice.
I may as well have property of M.G.M. tattooed on my backside!
i was thinking 'blossom' before i read this last post :)
she did a great young bette in 'bitches'
ehhh... 'beaches'
which also starred lainie kazan whom played fanny on broadway a few times when barbra was sick
IDINA MENZEL
shareMy vote most definitely goes to Patti LuPone. She can do anything.
Rachel York could perhaps pull it off, but she's a bitt too glamourous to play Fannie, I think.
"Everybody grab their Romeo! [Starts laughing] Sorry, I just got an image!"-GLORIA BIEGLER, my hero
FUNNY GIRL (the stage musical) is seldom revived - it's not really a "star vehicle", but it's a vehicle that requires a power-house star such as Streisand who can over-ride the weaknesses of the script. And such stars are in short supply.
"I don't use a pen: I write with a goose quill dipped in venom!"---W. Lydecker
you are right...according to several books i have read, the play would be impossible to re-do...especially on the very solid movie performance barbra did. this was truly a str vehicle...there is no other really good parts in it besides fanny and that is how stark showcased barbra...it is a shame though...i would love to see it live.
also, the score is next to impossible for anyone - even most pros - to sing...it was written that way to showcase barbra.
Celia Keenan Bolger...she is fantastic. Not Idina, she is good but I think she would butcher the songs.
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Toni Collette
"Tinkerty tonk," I said, and I meant it to sting.
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I think that's the reason there HAS BEEN NO revival in forty years. No Barbras.
Idina Menzel is the first to come along in a long time who could dare attempt to follow in those footsteps. And she still at least looks young enough to play Fanny--even though she's fourteen years older than Babs was when she originated it.
And it would HAVE to be a stage person and NOT a film/TV/pop music star--curse the evil thought.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns
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I'm a little late responding to this...but I think you're right. Mayim Bialik from Beaches would be perfect. Loved her in Beaches. India Menzel is getting a little old but I like her too.
shareI can't picture Parker doing "Don't Rain On My Parade" at all.
shareWho wants to pay $400 to see some television actress stunt-cast in a Broadway Show?
Idina Menzel would be my choice. When I lay down my hard earned scratch to see a show, I want to see a real live Broadway baby. I'm actually surprised that the great Ms. Patti LuPone never played this part. Admittedly, she's Italian... but you can't say that she doesn't have a yiddishe punim.
Re: Idina Menzel: oh, she's got a long, long way to go before she can fill Streisand's shoes.
"Somewhere along the line the world has lost all of its standards and all of its taste."