‘Funny Girl’ North American Tour Announces 2023-2024 Route and Full Cast

The producers of Funny Girl, the sensational musical comedy revival, have announced full casting and the 2023-2024 tour route for the North American Tour.

The tour will officially open at Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI, from September 9-16, 2023, before continuing on to more than 30 cities coast-to-coast, including recently announced engagements in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

2023-2024 Season

The full touring production cast will include ensemble members Vinny Andaloro, Lamont Brown, Kate E. Cook, Julia Grondin, Jackson Grove, Jorge Guerra, Dot Kelly, Alex Hartman, Ryan Lambert, Kathy Liu, Zoey Lytle, Meghan Manning, Bryan Charles Moore, Sami Murphy, Hannah Shankman, Jordon Taylor, Sean Thompson, and Annaliese Wilbur (see bios below).

They will join the previously announced principals, featuring Grammy Award®-winning singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester as Mrs. Brice and rising star Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny Brice, Stephen Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein, Izaiah Montaque Harris as Eddie Ryan, Walter Coppage as Florenz Ziegfeld, Leah Platt as Emma/Mrs. Nadler, Christine Bunuan as Mrs. Meeker, Eileen T’Kaye as Mrs. Strakosh, and David Foley Jr. as Tom Keeney.

The “vivacious and delightfully glitzy” (Vogue) Broadway revival features iconic songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” Breaking box office records week after week and receiving unanimous raves on Broadway, this bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice. As 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. The Observer describes the revival as “sparkling and explosively entertaining!”

Funny Girl is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and features 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 (Kinky Boots, Newsies).

Funny Girl features choreography by Ellenore Scott (Falsettos); tap choreography by Ayodele Casel; scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical); costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty (Wicked); lighting design by Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (Hedwig and the Angry Inch); sound design by Tony Award winner Brian Ronan (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) and Cody Spencer; hair and wig design by Campbell Young Associates; music 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 associate director is Johanna McKeon; the associate choreographer is Jeffrey Gugliotti; the assistant director is Torya Beard; the assistant tap choreographer is Dre Torres.

The Funny Girl tour stage management team is led by production stage manager Jovon Shuck and is supported by Stage Manager Stacey Taylor and assistant stage manager Mariah Young. The company management team is led by company manager Justin Sweeney with assistant company manager Ryan Mayfield. The tour music director/conductor is Elaine Davidson.

The Funny Girl tour is produced by NETworks Presentations in special arrangement with Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis and David Babani.

Biographies

KATERINA McCRIMMON (Fanny Brice) is a proud Cuban-American from Miami, and she’s thrilled to be playing Fanny in this dazzling production. Broadway: The Rose Tattoo (Roundabout Theatre Company). Other NY Theater: The Light in the Piazza (New York City Center Encores!). Regional: AZUL (The Eugene O’Neill Center), Ride the Cyclone (McCarter Theatre Center), Ah, Wilderness! (Hartford Stage). Katerina is a YoungArts Winner in Theater, a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and received her BM in Musical Theatre from Florida State University.

MELISSA MANCHESTER (Mrs. Brice) returns to the theatrical stage to celebrate a versatile 50-year career. With 19 Billboard charted hits including “Midnight Blue” and “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” the GRAMMY-Award winning singer/songwriter was the first artist to have two Oscar-nominated songs in the same year, received the NARAS Governor’s Award and is in the Great American Songbook Foundation’s Hall of Fame. National tours: Song & Dance (Emma), Music Of The Night (Lead). Film: For The Boys (Corrine). TV: Blossom (Maddy Russo). Her 25th album, RE:VIEW, is due to release in 2024.

STEPHEN MARK LUKAS (Nick Arnstein) is thrilled to bring Funny Girl to audiences across North America after understudying the role in the Broadway revival. Broadway: Funny Girl, The Book of Mormon. Regional: Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy), Oklahoma! (Curly), South Pacific (Lt. Cable), Camelot (Lancelot), and Guys & Dolls (Sky Masterson). TV: Gossip Girl and FBI: Most Wanted.

IZAIAH MONTAQUE HARRIS (Eddie Ryan). Since being put in tap classes taught by his mother as a child, he has learned to shine from Chicago to NY. Recent highlights: NY City Center’s Artists at the Center, Riverdance, The Tap Dance Kid, After Midnight (Tap Mathematician). BTA Award for Outstanding Actor, Jeff Award for Best Ensemble, Jacob’s Pillow Alumni, MADD Rhythms.

WALTER COPPAGE (Florenz Ziegfeld). Select theatre credits include: The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, The Curious Incident…, Radio Golf, The Royale, A Christmas Carol, Pride & Prejudice, Fences, To Kill A Mockingbird, Master Harold And The Boys, Hamlet, The Mountaintop, Water By The Spoonful, The Clean House, Ruined, Our Town, The Miracle Worker. Select TV credits include: Somebody Somewhere, Chicago Med, Leverage: Redemption, Black Mafia Family, The Chi, 61st St, The Shining Girls, Detroiters, Sprung. Select film credits include: All Creatures Here Below, Jayhawkers.

LEAH PLATT (Emma/Mrs. Nadler). Leah most recently performed across the country as Tzeitel in the first national tour of Fiddler on the Roof. Recent credits include: Which Way to the Stage (Signature Theatre); Frozen (Disney Cruise Line); The Prom (White Plains PAC); The Marvelous Wonderettes (The Palace Theater). She is a graduate of Northwestern University.

CHRISTINE BUNUAN (Mrs. Meeker). National tours include: Miss Saigon (Gigi,) and …Spelling Bee. Chicago Theatre credits include: Goodman, Paramount, Northlight, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Chicago, Shakespeare, Silk Road Rising, TimeLine, and more.

EILEEN T’KAYE (Mrs. Strakosh). Recent credits include A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Anne Marie, ICT), and Sisters in Law (Ruth Bader Ginsburg, World Premiere-Phoenix Theatre). Other regional include: Coney Island Christmas and A Funny Thing Happened… (Geffen Playhouse); Wing on Wing and The Rehearsal (Disney Hall); Collected Stories (CV Rep); Doubt and Other Desert Cities (ICT); The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife (La Mirada); The Fantasticks (Reprise!). Eileen is also an award-winning producer and Founding Producing Director of Boston Court Pasadena.

DAVID FOLEY, JR. (Tom Keeney). Select New York/touring credits: The Phantom of the Opera (Reyer, Firmin), Forbidden Broadway, and the title ogre in Shrek The Musical. Favorite regional: Oz (L. Frank Baum, freeFall Theatre Company), Finding Nemo: The Musical (Marlin, WDW), and Guys in Dolls (Nathan, Kevin Kline Award nomination, Best Actor). TV/Film: The Flight Before Christmas (Hallmark), Broadcasting Christmas (Lifetime). 2023 MAC Award nominee (Manhattan Association of Cabarets, Best Male Performer).

VINNY ANDALORO (Swing) is thrilled to be a part of this iconic show! National Tours: Cats. Regional: Ogunquit, NSMT, The LEX. BFA, The Boston Conservatory. Endless thanks to The Collective Talent. “Love to my amazing family, friends, mentors, and incredible partner, Jackson.” IG @vinny__andaloro

LAMONT BROWN (Ensemble, u/s Eddie). National Tour: Means Girls 1st National Tour, White Christmas, 42nd Street (Andy Lee), Riverdance (Radio City), After Midnight Regional: Chasing Rainbows (PaperMill), New 42nd Street (Ordway/Drury Lane) Film/Tv: Wutang: An American Saga, Your Attention Please. Hudson Artists Agency @LamontBrownNyc

KATE E. COOK (Ensemble, u/s Emma). National tour debut! Select credits: Chicago, Camelot, Little Shop of Horrors, Mamma Mia!, Holiday Inn, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Guys and Dolls, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes. Love to my husband and crazy family! Enjoy! http://www.kateellacook.com @kate.ella

JULIA GRONDIN (Ensemble) graduated with a BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University. Theatrical credits: Escape to Margaritaville (National tour), Trading Places (Regional). Commercial work: Knicks City Dancers. Off-Broadway: The Empire Strips Back. Thanks to my amazing family and MSA Agency! @juliagrondin

JACKSON GROVE (Ensemble, Tenor) is thrilled to be making his National Tour debut in Funny Girl. Regional: Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh CLO, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Ordway. Boston Conservatory Grad. Love and gratitude to Mom & Dad, CTG, and the Funny Girl team.

JORGE GUERRA (Ensemble,u/s Eddie). (he/him) National tour debut! Understanding the life-altering impact of arts accessibility, Jorge donated to MADD Rhythms, which shares the tap dance art form with underserved communities in Chicago. Mucho amor to my community, my Royal Family, and mi vida, Oz. IG: @jorgeguerra15

DOT KELLY (Ensemble). National Tour debut! Credits: Singin’ in the Rain (Ogunquit PH), White Christmas, Christmas in the Air, Your Monster, Cupid for Christmas (Hulu), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC). Shenandoah University BFA & MS grad. Hampton, VA raised & former Miss Virginia 2019/20. Gratitude to my parents, @ResoluteArtistsAgency, and Matt. @realdotkelly

ALEX HARTMAN (Ensemble, u/s Emma) is honored to be making her Broadway National Tour debut in Funny Girl. Select credits include: ACT of Connecticut, Riverside Theatre, Transcendence Theatre Company, and Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. Endless gratitude to CESD, my family, friends and incredibly supportive wife, Kayley. @alexjhartman

RYAN LAMBERT (Ensemble, u/s Nick Arnstein). National Tour debut! Regional: The Muny, Arena Stage, Goodspeed, The Fulton, The Lex, MSMT, NSMT, and MTW. Oklahoma City University, Bachelors of Music in Music Theatre. Love to My Parents, Lauren, Jordan, and the Mo. www.ryan-lambert.com @ryanjlambert

KATHY LIU (Ensemble) is a Bay Area native and graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA program. National tour debut! Credits: Cabaret (Goodspeed), Watch Night workshop (Perelman PAC), JChen Project, Dickinson (AppleTV). Much love to my family and friends for their support! Rep: MTA @kathyliu_

ZOEY LYTLE (Swing/Asst. Dance Captain). Recent: My Fair Lady national tour and Tales from Margaritaville inaugural cast. Off-Broadway: The Non-Essentials. Select regional: Sophie (MAMMA MIA!), Hunyak (Chicago), Jean (American Psycho). SJSU Dance and Broadway Dance Center alum. Thanks to God, Anne Steele Agency, and my wonderful parents. @zoeylytle

MEGHAN MANNING (Ensemble). Metropolitan Opera (Merry Widow, Traviata). Cabaret, Grease, Oscars, Grammys, VMAS, Marvel’s Hawkeye (Black Widow / Rogers), Mrs. Maisel. Backup The Weeknd, Halsey, Panic! At The Disco. Endless thanks Mom, Dad, Bridget for unwavering support. I’m a real theater girlie now! @momanni

BRYAN CHARLES MOORE (Swing, Dance Captain) is originally from St. Paul, Minnesota and currently calls the DC area home. Tours: Radio City Christmas Spectacular, White Christmas. Regional: Signature, Arena Stage, Ogunquit Playhouse, Ordway, TUTS. Thanks to my team at the Luedtke Agency, and love to my husband Steven. IG:@bryancmoore

SAMI MURPHY (Ensemble), NJ native, is thrilled to join this revival! Tours: My Fair Lady, CoComelon! Regional: Footloose, Mamma Mia!, 42nd Street, Cinderella.Huge thanks to PMA, and to Mom, Dad, family, church, mentors, & Kyle for their continued love & support. samimurphy.com @samimurph34

HANNAH SHANKMAN (u/s Fanny Brice, u/s Mrs. Strakosh, u/s Mrs. Meeker). Broadway: Hair, Wicked, Side Show, Les Misérables. National Tour/West End: The Band’s Visit, Rent, Hair, Les Misérables. Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, Williamstown, Syracuse Stage. TV/Film: “The Last Five Years,” “The Oscars.” For Shane & Charlie. Thanks to her family, Carnahan, FG team, & Daniel Hoff! @hannahbshank TikTok/Insta.

JORDON TAYLOR (Ensemble). National Tour debut! Credits: Singin’ in the Rain (Ogunquit Playhouse), A Chorus Line (Drury Lane Theatre), & The Cher Show (Gateway Playhouse). Chicago College of Performing Arts BFA graduate. Many thanks to her family, friends, and @HudsonArtistsAgency for their support! @jordontaylor18

SEAN THOMPSON (Ensemble, u/s Nick Arnstein, u/s Ziegfeld, u/s Keeney). Broadway: Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis u/s). First National Tour: Love Never Dies (Raoul). Off-Broadway: Penelope (Barius). Television: The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC); An Evening with Lerner and Loewe (PBS). Recently at Tuacahn: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Phoebus), Tarzan (Clayton). @oneseanthompson

ANNALIESE WILBUR (Swing). Broadway National tour debut! Boston Conservatory ‘23 grad (shoutout BoCo Tap Club)! Special hugs to family, friends, and Dustin & Marc with Daniel Hoff Agency. Big kisses for Harley. @annaliese.wilbur

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