Shaw Festival: Funny Girl, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Bob Merrill, Book by Isobel Lennart from an original story by Miss Lennart; Directed by Eda Holmes; Music direction by Paul Sportelli; Choreographed by Parker Esse; Set and costumes designed by James Lavoie; Lighting designed by Sonoyo Nishikawa; Sound designed by Corey Macfadyen and Kaitlyn MacKinnon. With Sara Farb as Fanny Brice and Qasim Khan as Nick Arnstein; Alana Bridgewater as Mrs. Meeker; Janelle Cooper as Mrs. Strakosh; Sharry Flett as Mrs. O’Malley; Shawn Wright as Tom Keeney; Cheryl Mullings as Mrs. Brice. Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake; continues until October 3, 2026. Tickets here.
The Musical
Based on the book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl is the semi-autobiographical, rags-to-riches story of Fanny Brice, a Jewish-American trailblazer, whose ambition and tenacity made up for her unglamorous visage, to become a star in the famed Ziegfeld Follies.
While celebrating her remarkable rise in show business, the musical also explores her tempestuous relationship with professional gambler Nick Arnstein.
It was this role in the 1964 Broadway hit that launched the career of Barbra Streisand, who later garnered a Best Actress Oscar for its 1968 movie adaptation.
The Shaw Production
Directed by Eda Holmes, the Shaw production is a vibrant, emotionally engaging staging that succeeds largely because of its spirited central performance.
The show opens and closes with Fanny looking into a mirror in the dressing room, reflecting on her career and delivering the famous line “Hello, gorgeous.”
The Cast
Shaw has no doubt found its “Greatest Star” in Sara Farb, the Toronto native who is everything Fanny — energetic, zany and goofy, with a dynamic personality. She commands the stage with Fanny’s self-deprecating comic bravado (“I’m a bagel on plate full of onion rolls,”) as well as her personal vulnerabilities: needy, romantic, neurotic and insecure.
Farb’s vocal colours are rich and varied. Her performances of the show’s greatest hits “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade” show good emotional range, although greater vocal power would be desirable for her role. Even though she had excellent breath control to sustain some long notes, there were times her words could not be heard.
Qasim Khan portrays a sincere Nick who truly adores Fanny, yet who is deeply insecure about being a husband who is not able to provide. He even seems noble — after his release from prison for his shady financial dealings, he tells Fanny they must divorce to protect her public image.
Eddie, Fanny’s mentor and secret admirer, is played by the talented Matt Alfano, who dazzles with an acrobatic solo tap number on a small suitcase.
There is solid vocal power from Janelle Cooper (Mrs Strakosh) and Cheryl Mullings (who subbed as Mrs Brice in last Friday’s performance.) Taurian Teelucksingh also receives honourable mention as the tenor soloist in the number “His Love Makes Me Beautiful”.
The Production
The production is visually striking. James Lavoie‘s clever sets are complemented by his equally effective costumes. Fanny’s quirky personality is matched with gaudy outfits, providing a contrast to the glamour and glitter of the Ziegfeld Follies dancers.
Parker Esse‘s energetic choreography keeps the large ensemble numbers entertaining, with some lively tap routines that have become a Shaw staple. Under Paul Sportelli‘s musical direction, Jule Styne‘s beloved score receives a satisfying treatment, but could have used less amplification.
Final Thoughts
While Act One is buoyant, funny, and fast-paced, chronicling Fanny’s rise to stardom with infectious energy, it also feels unnecessarily long at almost 90 minutes. The mood shifts dramatically in the much shorter and less compelling second act, which focuses on the growing tensions in Fanny and Nick’s marriage caused by their differing fortunes and ambitions. The tone is sombre and bittersweet, with an ending that feels abrupt.
Ultimately, Shaw Festival’s Funny Girl bursts with chutzpah, mirroring the fearless spirit of its heroine.
It is the perfect reason to make the drive to beautiful Niagara-on-the-lake, not that you need one. And seeing Sara Farb alone is worth the admission.
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