Funny Girl, the beloved Broadway musical, is making its return to Detroit stages this fall. The musical tells the tale of comedian Fanny Brice’s rise to fame in the Ziegfeld Follies. With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, and book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl first premiered on Broadway in 1964 and made a star of Barbra Streisand, who portrayed Fanny Brice. Now, nearly 60 years later, a new production of the classic musical is coming to Detroit.
Funny Girl Showtimes in Detroit
The new production of Funny Girl will be playing at the Fisher Theater in Detroit’s Theater District starting on October 20th. The musical will run for a limited two week engagement through November 3rd. During the run, there will be evening performances Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30pm. Additionally, there will be weekend matinee performances on Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 1pm.
Day | Showtime |
---|---|
Tuesday | 7:30pm |
Wednesday | 7:30pm |
Thursday | 7:30pm |
Friday | 7:30pm |
Saturday | 2:00pm, 7:30pm |
Sunday | 1:00pm, 7:30pm |
With 8 performances per week, there are plenty of chances for audiences to see this celebrated musical during its upcoming Detroit engagement.
Getting Tickets to See Funny Girl
Given the popularity of Funny Girl and the limited run in Detroit, tickets are sure to be in high demand. The best way to secure seats is to purchase them in advance through the Fisher Theater box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.broadwayindetroit.com or www.ticketmaster.com. The Fisher Theater box office can also be reached by phone at 313-872-1000. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 313-871-1132 or emailing [email protected].
Ticket prices vary depending on seat location and performance date. During the week, tickets range from $39 – $99 with premium tickets available for $129. For the weekend shows, tickets range from $44 – $104 with select premium seats at $134. Make sure to buy early for the best seat selection and pricing.
Recommendation for Best Seats
When selecting seats for Funny Girl, the best views are typically in the front and center orchestra sections. Try to get seats that are towards the middle of the theater for an ideal vantage point. The Fisher Theater is an intimate venue with just over 2,000 seats, so there are no bad sightlines. For a more budget-friendly option, the rear and side orchestra sections still provide a great experience. Avoid the rear mezzanine if possible, as you’ll be farther from the stage.
About the Fisher Theater
Funny Girl will be staged at the historic Fisher Theater located at 3011 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit’s New Center area. The Fisher first opened in 1928 and was designed by renowned theater architect Albert Kahn. The Italian Renaissance style theater was commissioned by the Fisher brothers, who were prominent Detroit auto body manufacturers. With a seating capacity of 2,089, the Fisher Theater provided a spectacular new venue for Broadway touring shows in Detroit. In the decades since, it has hosted numerous theater productions and other events.
Some key facts about the Fisher Theater:
- Designed by architect Albert Kahn and modeled after grand European opera houses
- Original construction cost was $7 million ($110 million today)
- Decorative details include 19 Czech crystal chandeliers and a mural depicting Greek muses
- Seating capacity of 2,089 with 1,500 seats in the orchestra level and 589 in the mezzanine
- Inaugural performance was Cecil B. DeMille’s film The King of Kings in 1928
- The first Broadway tour at the Fisher was Rose-Marie starring Dennis King and Arthur Treacher in 1931
- Has been operated by the Nederlander Organization since 1961
- Was completely renovated and restored in 1996
Today, the Fisher Theater continues to host about 25 weeks of Broadway tours annually, including blockbuster hits like Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King and more. It is sure to provide a wonderful setting for the upcoming production of Funny Girl.
Funny Girl Synopsis and Background
Funny Girl follows the story of legendary comedian and performer Fanny Brice, portrayed by Barbra Streisand in the Oscar-winning 1968 film adaptation. The musical begins in Brooklyn in the early 1900s. Teenaged Fanny, who isn’t conventionally beautiful but has undeniable talent, dreams of being a star like Fanny Brice. She gets her first break as a bit player in a Broadway revue, but quickly proves she is the real star. The show follows Fanny as she rises to fame with the Ziegfeld Follies, a famed series of Broadway revues featuring stunning chorines and comedy skits.
Fanny meets and marries charismatic gambler Nick Arnstein, played by Omar Sharif in the film. Their tumultuous relationship provides much of the drama throughout the story. Fanny achieves immense success on stage while Nick’s frequent gambling and business failures put a strain on their marriage. Funny Girl features some of musical theater’s most beloved songs including “People,” “You Are Woman, I Am Man” and of course, “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
Funny Girl is a fictionalized account of Brice’s life, who was indeed a superstar Vaudeville and Broadway performer. The real Fanny Brice got her start as a teen chorus girl before proving her talents in Ziegfeld’s Follies from 1910 to 1911. She was known for playing the vampy, wisecracking character types she often portrayed on stage. Brice was married to con-man Nick Arnstein but they divorced in 1927.
Revival Background
The original Broadway production of Funny Girl debuted in 1964 with Barbra Streisand earning rave reviews in the starring role at just age 22. It ran for 1,348 performances until 1967. The 1968 film adaptation cemented Streisand as a superstar. This year, Funny Girl is returning to Broadway for its first revival. Opening in April 2022, the show stars Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice. The revival is directed by Michael Mayer with choreography by Ellenore Scott.
This first national tour offers Detroit audiences the exciting chance to see an all new production of this iconic title. The timeless musical about Fanny Brice promises showstopping numbers, glittering costumes, and plenty of laughs. Don’t miss your chance to see Funny Girl when it comes to the Fisher Theater this October and November.
Conclusion
Funny Girl is a beloved musical theater classic featuring the unforgettable songs of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. After a critically acclaimed Broadway revival, the show is embarking on a national tour across the country. Detroit audiences will get to experience the magic when Funny Girl comes to the Fisher Theater for a limited two-week run starting October 20th. With hit numbers like “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” this funny and heartwarming show about the legendary Fanny Brice is not to be missed. Be sure to secure your tickets early for the best seats at the Fisher Theater during this highly anticipated engagement.