Hello, Gorgeous! Hello, Providence! FUNNY GIRL Set to Launch National Tour at PPAC This Fall!
Part of the Taco/The White Family Foundation Broadway Series
Providence, RI – J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, President and CEO of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), announced today that FUNNY GIRL will launch its first North American tour at the historic 3100 seat theatre September 9 – 16, 2023. FUNNY GIRL is PPAC’s 2023/2024 season opener and is part of the Taco/The White Family Foundation Broadway Series. PPAC will announce its 2023/2024 Broadway Season in full at a later date.
“We think it’s splendid that PPAC has the distinction of launching the national tour of FUNNY GIRL. This will be the 22nd national tour to open at PPAC since 2008. We are looking forward to welcoming the company of FUNNY GIRL to our beautiful city of Providence this fall!” said Singleton.
“We are immensely proud of this revival of FUNNY GIRL,” said producers Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani, “It’s been 27 years since FUNNY GIRL last toured the country and we are excited to introduce this classic musical to a new generation of theatergoers.”
The North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL will continue onto more than 30 cities coast-coast; additional tour cities and casting will be announced at a later date.
Tony® Award winner Michael Mayer directs this brand-new FUNNY GIRL, featuring 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.
This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, 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. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” Michael Mayer’s bold new production marks the first time FUNNY GIRL has returned to Broadway since its debut 58 years ago and this is the first national tour of the production since 1996.
FUNNY GIRL features choreography by Ellenore Scott, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn, costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kevin Adams, sound design by Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, hair & wig design by Campbell Young Associates, music direction and 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 current production of FUNNY GIRL began performances at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre on March 22, 2022, with the official opening on April 24, 2022, where it continues its recording breaking run, setting a new box office weekly gross record at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street) for the week ending January 1, 2023.
Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani together with Gemini Theatrical, Accidental Jacket and Sony Masterworks Broadway recently announced the digital release of FUNNY GIRL – New Broadway Cast Recording, which is now available wherever you stream music. Produced by David Caddick and David Lai and featuring the classic score by Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics), the physical CD is set for release on Friday, January 20, 2023 and available here. The album is co-produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis, David Babani, Michael Mayer, Brian Gillet, Huck Walton, Sean Keller and Marc Levine. The album is executive produced by Evan McGill and associate producers are Joanna Drowos, Abby Green and PickleStar Theatricals.
The Broadway production is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, David Babani, Roy Furman, No Guarantees, Adam Blanshay Productions, Daryl Roth, Stephanie P. McClelland, Lang Entertainment Group, Playing Field, Gavin Kalin, Charles & Nicolas Talar, Fakston Productions, Sanford Robertson, Craig Balsam, Cue to Cue Productions, LenoffFedermanWolofsky Productions, Judith Ann Abrams / Peter May, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Elizabeth Armstrong, Jane Bergère, Jean Doumanian, Larry Magid, Rosalind Productions, Iris Smith, Kevin & Trudy Sullivan, Julie Boardman / Kate Cannova, Heni Koenigsberg / Michelle Riley, Mira Road Productions / Seaview, In Fine.
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About the Providence Performing Arts Center
The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) presents a full roster of touring Broadway productions, concerts, and comedy. Located in the heart of Providence’s arts and entertainment district, PPAC is the second largest theatre of its kind in the country. The Loew’s Theatre Building, which is the historic home of PPAC, opened in October 1928 and has been applauded for its beauty and grandeur. PPAC is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been consistently ranked as one of the top ten live entertainment venues in the U.S. by industry publications like Pollstar and VenuesNow.
Interested in learning more about FUNNY GIRL and the upcoming 2023/2024 season?
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PPAC Media Contacts:
P.J. Prokop: 401.574.3103 / pjprokop@ppacri.org
Caitlyn DiPompo: 401.574.3112 / cdipompo@ppacri.org