The producers of Funny Girl, the sensational musical comedy revival, are thrilled to announce Broadway veteran, Hannah Shankman, as Fanny Brice.
Shankman is assuming the role having previously been the standby for Fanny Brice. Her Broadway and touring credits include Hair, Wicked, Side Show, The Band’s Visit, Rent and Les Misérables. Shankman will begin performances as Fanny Brice beginning September 24 in Seattle, WA.
“Hannah is a marvelous Fanny Brice. She brings great intelligence, humor and authenticity to the role, and she’s a terrific singer. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her rousing theatergoers to their feet for a year now, and I am delighted that new audiences across America will also revel in her performance as she takes on the role full time,” said director and Tony® Award winner Michael Mayer.
She joins Grammy-Award® winning singer-songwriter, Melissa Manchester as Mrs. 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, David Foley Jr. as Tom Keeney, and newcomer Cheryl Stern as Mrs. Strakosh.
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 E. Shuck and is supported by Stage Manager Kyle Dannahey and Assistant Stage Manager Rachael Wilkin. The company management team is led by Company Manager Justin A. Sweeney with Associate 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
VINNY ANDALORO (Swing, u/s Mr. Renaldi) 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
JACK BIANCHI (Ensemble, u/s Eddie Ryan) is honored to make his National Tour debut with Funny Girl. Jack graduated from Chapman University. He recently made his off-Broadway premiere in You’re Invited, and performed in Savor in Napa. Jack is beyond grateful to his family, friends, and all who supported him to get here. All glory to God. @jack_bianchi
COURTNEY BRADY (Ensemble) So grateful to be here! Broadway Lab: Crazy For You (Dir: Susan Stroman). Tours: The Producers. Regional Theaters: Papermill, NSMT, Riverside, Maltz Jupiter, Fireside. Thanks to TPG and the entire Funny Girl Team! Endless love/gratitude to my family and friends. Thanks God – “in highlands/heartache all the same”! @cocobrady
KATE E. COOK (Ensemble, u/s Emma, u/s Mrs. Strakosh, u/s Mrs. Meeker). 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 @kateellacook
CONNOR COUGHLIN (Swing) Graduated from Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Circle in the Square. NYC: Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. Tours: 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Elf. Regional: The REV, Ogunquit, North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre by the Sea, Fireside.
JOEL DOUGLAS (Ensemble, u/s Mr. Renaldi). National Tour debut! Off-Broadway: Empire. Regional: MUNY, North Carolina Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Group, Theatre By The Sea, Reagle Music Theatre, New Bedford Theatre Festival. Film/TV: “Growing Up” (Disney+). Boston Conservatory and LINK Graduate. @jdouglasbreeden
ANNABELLE DUFFY (u/s Fanny Brice, u/s Emma, u/s Mrs. Meeker) is so thrilled to be making her National Tour debut in the company of Funny Girl! BFA CMU Drama Class of 2023. Endless gratitude to Carnahan, Daniel Hoff, Julia Watkinson, and her fabulous family and friends.
MATHEW FEDOREK (Swing, u/s Tom Keeney, u/s Florenz Ziegfeld, u/s Mr. Renaldi) National Tour Debut! Regional: Pittsburgh CLO, The Muny, KC Starlight, Arizona Theatre Company, Lincoln Park. Proud Penn State Musical Theatre Alum. Thanks to his family and his agents at CTG. I love you, Jack. For Mom and Dad! @mathew.fedorek
ALEX HARTMAN (Ensemble, Dance Captain, 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. IG: @alexjhartman
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 IG: @kathyliu_
MISSY MARION (Ensemble). is thrilled to join this amazing company! Favorite credits at Musical Theatre West, Ogunquit Playhouse, Forestburgh Playhouse, 3D Theatricals, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Endless love to my family and Trevor, whose support has made my dreams a reality!
BRYAN CHARLES MOORE (Swing, u/s Tom Keeney, u/s Florenz Ziegfeld, u/s Mr. Renaldi) 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 and mentors for their continued love & support. samimurphy.com @samimurph34
Emily Anne Nester (Swing) is thrilled to be making her National Tour debut! Regional credits: 42nd Street (Ensemble u/s Anytime Annie), Kinky Boots (Ensemble), Wizard of Oz (Ensemble) at Music Theater Wichita. Huge thank you to her family, and friends for their love and support, and special thanks to @resoluteartistsagency ! IG: @emilyannenester
MYAH SEGURA (Ensemble) is proud to be making her touring debut with Funny Girl! Based in NYC and graduated from Point Park University. Recently in PCLO’s The Music Man and Anything Goes (ensemble). Trained at LaGuardia HS, Ballet Hispanico, Shuffles, and National Dance Institute. @mishmyah
BRENDAN SHEEHAN (Ensemble). National Tour debut! Select Credits: Footloose (Ren), A Chorus Line (Mike), Pippin (Ensemble). BFA from Boston Conservatory. So much love to my family, friends, and educators. Special thanks to @hendersonhoganagency! IG: @brendan.sheehan1
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! IG: @jordontaylor18
SEAN SEAMUS THOMPSON (Ensemble, u/s Tom Keeney, u/s Nick Arnstein, u/s Florenz Ziegfeld). Broadway: Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis u/s). Tours: Love Never Dies (Raoul); The Sound of Music (Captain u/s). Off-Broadway: Penelope (Barius, original cast album). TV: “The Walking Dead: Dead City” (AMC); “An Evening with Lerner and Loewe”(PBS). Regional favorites: Hunchback (Phoebus), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), Cabaret (Cliff). @seanseamusthompson
TRAVIS WARD-OSBORNE (Ensemble, u/s Nick Arnstein, u/s Eddie Ryan). Elated to be joining the cast! Broadway credits: Moulin Rouge!, Miss Saigon, Disney’s Aladdin, A Beautiful Noise, and Holiday Inn! National Tours: Moulin Rouge!, Pretty Woman. Impossible without Mom. For Peyton always. Go Blue! Thanks @blocnyc! I’m @tdubbyo
ANNALIESE WILBUR (Swing, Assistant Dance Captain). Broadway National tour debut! Raised in West Bloomfield, MI. 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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