Following its record breaking West End run, the new production of Funny Girl is heading out on tour in 2017 and will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on 20 February before traveling around the UK.
The musical tells the story of Fanny Brice, whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, with the role bringing global fame to Barbra Streisand 50 years ago. The production boasts some of the most memorable songs in film and theatre history including People and Don’t Rain On My Parade.
Director Michael Mayer’s West End credits include Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith and Novello Theatre) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Shaftesbury Theatre). For Broadway his work includes Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony Award nomination for Best Director), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, American Idiot (Drama Desk Award for Best Director of a Musical), Spring Awakening (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Drama Desk Award for Best Direction of a Musical) and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Direction of a Musical). For television, his work includes Smash and Alpha House, and for film his credits include A Home at the End of the World, Flicka and currently in post-production, Chekhov’s The Seagull. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut with a celebrated new production of Rigoletto.
Choreography is by Lynne Page, with set design by Michael Pavelka, costume design by Matthew Wright, lighting design by Mark Henderson and sound design by Richard Brooker, musical supervisor and arrangements by Alan Williams and orchestrations by Chris Walker.
Casting for the production, which is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis Productions, Chocolate Factory Productions, Dante Di Loreto and Michael Harrison, is yet to be announced.
