On Stage: ‘Funny Girl’ ‘The Fantasticks’ come to local stages

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Musicals are coming.

Musicals are coming.

Musicals are here.

“Funny Girl” is an iconic show. Actually, it’s a show about an iconic character – Fanny Brice – and a show that featured an iconic performer – Barbra Streisand.

After debuting on Broadway in 1964, “Funny Girl” made its way to the big screen in 1968, with Barbra Streisand in the titular role, and became the highest grossing film in the U.S. that year.

The national tour of the musical features Grammy® Award-winner Melissa Manchester (Mrs. Brice) and introducing rising star Katerina McCrimmon (Fanny Brice).

“Mirroring the meteoric rise of Fanny Brice, new arrival Katrina McCrimmon is capturing the hearts of audiences as the titular heroine, supported by a fantastic cast including Grammy® winner Melissa Manchester,” said Frances Egler, Ensemble Arts Philly Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations. “This iconic musical, known for its rich storytelling and unforgettable music, is a summer highlight of our Broadway season.”

McCrimmon is the hot new artist and Manchester is the accomplished veteran.

Manchester has been making widely acclaimed music for more than a half-century.

She studied songwriting at New York University with Paul Simon when she was 19. Manchester played the Manhattan club scene, where Barry Manilow, a friend and fellow singer of jingles, introduced her to Bette Midler. In 1971, she became a member of the Harlettes, the back-up singers for Midler, which she co-created with Manilow

Following her time as a Harlette, Manchester’s tremendously successful solo career brought her critical and commercial acclaim.

Manchester’s debut album, Home to Myself, was released in 1973. Manchester co-wrote many of its songs with Carole Bayer Sager. Two years later, her album, “Melissa,” produced her first top-ten hit, “Midnight Blue”, which enjoyed 17 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song’s peak position was #6 for the week of August 9, 1975.

The “Midnight Blue” singer received her first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Female Vocal Performance in 1979 for the Peter Allen/Carole Bayer Sager-penned “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” winning the Grammy in that category four years later for “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.”

“Funny Girl” is a musical with score by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, and book by Isobel Lennart, that first opened on Broadway in 1964. The semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, featuring her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein.

Barbra Streisand starred in the original Broadway musical, produced by Brice’s son-in-law Ray Stark. The production received eight nominations at the 18th Tony Awards. The original cast recording of Funny Girl was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.

In the 1980s, Manchester moved into the world of musical theater and starred in the musical, “I Sent a Letter to My Love,” based on the Bernice Rubens novel of the same name. Now in 2024, she is touring the country in “Funny Girl.”

As a singer, Manchester has recorded 28 albums from 1973’s “Home to Myself” to 2024’s “Re:View.”

“I saw the original with Streisand in 1964 when I was a young girl,” said Manchester, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Washington, D.C.

“When I heard there was going to be a revival, it was exciting. This is the show’s first national tour ever.

“I’m a concert performer. I hadn’t done theater in a long time. ‘Funny Girl’ is one of the three great musicals along with ‘Gypsy’ and ‘Candide.’

“I auditioned for ‘Funny Girl’ a year ago. Now, we’ve been out since September. I was concerned about the challenges of a national tour because we have two, three or four week stops in every city.”

Manchester’s character is always referred to as “Mrs. Brice.” Even though her first name is never used, she is a forceful and pivotal character.

“I like her because I can view her with life experience of another working woman,” said Manchester. “I can bring this.

“She was a successful saloon keeper whose husband had left her in 1928. Try to imagine a woman having to deal with men in the business back then. She earned their trust.

“You can’t play these roles through 2024 eyes. These people were still dealing with language adaptation.

“Also, having a child like Fanny that you love is difficult. Mrs. Brice is hard and tough – and warm.”

The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with one of the most celebrated musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain on my Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.”

“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, with 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).

“Harvey Fierstein did a beautiful re-working of the book,” said Manchester, who had four Top 10 hits in 1975 and 1976 and had her songs recorded by Barbra Streisand, Roberta Flack, Dusty Springfield, Alison Krauss and Kenny Loggin.

“Funny Girl” is running now through July 28 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices start at $49.

The Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, 302- 475-2313, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) will started its run of the hit musical “The Fantasticks” on July 13. The show will close on August 24.

“The Fantasticks” is a magical journey, part fairy tale, part fable and entirely enchanting. With book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, it features such memorable songs as “Try to Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” and has the distinction of being the longest-running musical in the history of theater.

“The Fantasticks” is a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones. It tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the 1894 play “The Romancers” (“Les Romanesques”) by Edmond Rostand, concerning two neighboring fathers who trick their children, Luisa and Matt, into falling in love by pretending to feud.

The show’s original off-Broadway production ran a total of 42 years (until 2002) and 17,162 performances, making it the world’s longest-running musical. The musical was produced by Lore Noto. It was awarded Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 1991.

The poetic book and breezy, inventive score, including such memorable songs as “Try to Remember,” helped make the show durable. Many productions followed, as well as television and film versions.

“The Fantasticks” was revived Off-Broadway from 2006-2017. The musical has played in all 50 U.S. states and in at least 67 foreign countries.

The main characters in the Candlelight productions are Shawn Weaver as The Mute, Isabell Hartzell as Luisa, Nigel Grant as Matt and James Ofalt as El Gallo.

Weaver, an Upper Darby High alumnus, spent his college years in Chester County and graduated from Lincoln University in 2020 as a vocal performance major. He is an active actor, voice coach and director.

His stage experience includes “In the Heights” at the Broadway Pitman Theater, “Godspell” and “Rent” at Swarthmore Players and “Something Rotten.”

He has also performed in shows at the Candlelight Theatre but has no experience with the current production.

“I was in ‘Mamma Mia!’ at the Candlelight in 2022,” said Weaver. “From Day One, I was already hooked on the Candlelight. The place has great energy. I loved the people – including Maryanne (Buffet Manager Maryanne Van Neerden). She used to give me a piece of cheesecake before every show and that got me ready to perform.”

Weaver was venturing into uncharted territory with “The Fantasticks.”

“Before I auditioned, I had never seen the show, but I knew the general gist of it,” said Weaver, during a phone interview Wednesday from his home in Claymont, Delaware. “I could see who I’d be playing.

“It was one of those go-to shows. I knew I had to audition. And I worked with director Peter Reynolds on ‘Into the Woods’ at Candlelight.

“Now, ‘The Fantasticks’ is definitely near my top five. I love the simplicity of it, the simplicity of the set, the way the music was written. The dialogue makes you think a lot more.”

Ironically, Weaver has no dialogue in the show. He plays the role of The Mute – and his mute button has definitely been pushed.

Even without words, Weaver plays a major part of the story – communicating via dancing, facial expressions, body movement, making music without a sound, a simple block and a general vibe. He is involved the entire time from the opening lines to the closing curtain.

“I’m a sucker for musical theater that can challenge you,” said Weaver. “The music in ‘The Fantasticks” is definitely challenging.

“This is my hardest role. It’s very different for two reasons.

“First, the only formal training I have is voice. I went to school for it. To take this role and remove that and then create from there. My character is not there to speak.

“Second, the role is very open-ended. When I’m the wall in Act 1, it’s more structured. Beyond that, it’s very open-ended. I have to understand how I should move and how much I should react without being distracting.

“The Mute is ever-present but never designed to steal attention unless absolutely necessary. I had to find the balance of my explosive energy and what the show needs.”

Ironically, Weaver was last seen at Candlelight in “Hello Dolly.” He also performed in “Mamma Mia!” at Candlelight – the show whose national tour follows “Funny Girl” at the Academy of Music.

The current show at Candlelight will be Weaver’s first as a married man.

“I just got married three weeks ago,” said Wever, whose wife Anne Marie is on the Board of Governors at the Players Club in Swarthmore.

“The Fantasticks” is running now through August 24 at the Candlelight Theatre with shows on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees.

Tickets, which include a buffet meal, beverages, dessert, and free parking, are $70.50 for adults and $35 for children.

The Candlelight Theatre shifts gears one night a month from theater to comedy.

In addition to performances this weekend from Friday through Sunday of its mainstage production, “The Fantasticks,” the Candlelight Theatre will also host its monthly edition of Candlelight Comedy Club on July 18.

The venue’s comedy presentation is “Married, Single and a Baby” with headliners Joe Bublewicz, Vanessa Hollinghead and Chris Monty.

The show at the Candlelight Theatre will start at 7:30 p.m. on September 21. Tickets, which are $30, include complimentary light fare and free parking. Cash bar available with no minimum.

“Somewhere Over the Border” is running now through August 11 at People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org).

The musical by Brian Quijada is directed by Laura Alcalá Baker with Music Direction by Michael Meketa Sanchez.

The musical is billed as “A musical odyssey by rising star Brian Quijada.”

As the allure of the American Dream beckons, Reina Quijada travels along a very different yellow brick road from El Salvador to the United States.

Along the way, she makes friends, dodges imminent danger, and searches for the almighty “wizard” in this nod to Oz.

With onstage musicians weaving together cumbia, Mexican mariachi, boleros, American rock, and hip hop, up-and-coming writer and composer Brian Quijada honors his mother in a fantastically true tale of determination, family, and friendship.

This co-production takes to the People’s Light stage following a critically acclaimed run at Pittsburgh’s City Theatre.

Video link for “Somewhere Over the Border” — https://youtu.be/D6Wepwgjs5U.

“Somewhere Over the Border” will run now through August 11 at the theater in Malvern. Ticket prices start at $47.

Award-winning, world-beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon has announced the first set of dates of his” Shut Up & Play!” concert tour. Not surprisingly, one of the key stops on the 28-city tour will be in the Philadelphia area.

On July 21, Cannon’s tour will touch down at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com). On July 23, the band will play at Saint Georges Country Store (1 Delaware Avenue, Saint Georges, Delaware, saintgeorgescountrystore.com).

With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Cannon is on the cutting edge of today’s contemporary blues scene. He is considered one of the genre’s most creative artists.

On “Shut Up & Play!,” Cannon blazes his own path with 11 emotionally-charged originals. From serious to humorous, his imaginative songs are fueled by his powerful, cathartic guitar solos and his soulfully authoritative voice.

The album finds Cannon, a former Chicago Transit Authority bus driver, delivering timeless stories of common experiences, often unfolding in uncommon ways. His passionate and focused guitar playing sets his lyrics ablaze. Song subjects range from the heartbreak of lost love, to the humor of daily life, to the pain of feeling invisible in today’s society, all as seen through Cannon’s wide-open eyes.

“Shut Up & Play!,” was co-produced by Cannon and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer.

Not long after he released his Alligator Records debut, “The Chicago Way,” Cannon established his reputation as one the most electrifying bluesmen to emerge from Chicago in decades.

Cannon etched that reputation in stone with his second Alligator album, “The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp,” which was released on September 20, 2019. The songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist establishes a standard by fusing his original, keenly-detailed tales of everyday life with his muscular guitar playing.

“The Chicago Way” was a hard act to follow. The album was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2017 as “Album of the Year.” Cannon and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer won the 2016 Living Blues Award for “Producer of The Year — New Recording” for “The Chicago Way.”

Hard acts to follow become easy when Cannon and Iglauer get together in the studio,

“Bruce produced the new album too,” said Cannon, during a phone interview Monday during a  tour stop in New York City.

“It came out on June 7 and it’s doing well so far. It’s Number 1 on a roots chart and Number 4 on a blues chart.

“We recorded it in winter 2023 – back in November. We used JoyRide Studio in Chicago – the same studio we used for my last two on Alligator. Bruce and I co-produced it and Blaise Barton was the engineer.

“I had a little more influence on the production this time. I was more comfortable in the studio – and I had a lot more ideas.

“Bruce and I are flexible when we’re working together. We do go back and forth. The object is to make the best record we can. I had the band in the studio for two days and then we spent two months on mixing.

“The songs came in over a period of a year-and-a-half. I got divorced in 2021 so the storyline is about what’s going on post-divorce. You’re used to something for 20 years and then you’re back in the pond.

“But it is not a bunch of ‘woe is me’ songs. It’s a great album with a lot of different songs.”

His previous album derived inspiration from his former day job as a bus driver for Chicago Transit Authority.

Cannon retired four years ago. Back then, he talked about the link in his two professions.

“The things I see while driving my bus are inspiration for songs,” said Cannon, during an interview a few years ago.

“The whole CD (“The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp”) was written on the bus. I get a lot of ideas when I’m driving. I’ve looked back and seen people shooting up heroin in the back of the bus. I’ve had grandmothers fighting on my bus.”

Real-life situations are great topics for songwriters. Cannon had had the benefit of sitting in a front row seat for years and having the ability of transforming what he sees into stellar blues tracks.

“Me being from Chicago and seeing what I see every day exposes me to a lot of tax brackets,” said Cannon. “I talk to people. I don’t know who you are, but you tell me. The other day, I had to coax a guy off my bus in a tough section and then a few minutes later, I’m driving on the ‘Magnificent Mile,’ which is one of the richest areas in Chicago. My bus goes through a LOT of tax brackets.”

Almost every day, Cannon was in a great – and constantly moving – position to be an observer of life in a big American city.

“My last album was a funny take on real life,” said Cannon this week. “This new album is socially conscious.

“I’m writing real stuff with a slant that is not particularly happy. It’s more bluesy than the last album. It’s music by a bluesman from Chicago.”

Cannon grew up on the South Side of Chicago near the Robert Taylor Homes and Theresa’s Lounge where he heard blues artists including Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.

Throughout the history of Chicago blues, the intensely competitive local club scene has served as a proving ground, where only the best musicians rise to the top.

Iconic blues artists from Muddy Waters to Howlin’ Wolf to Koko Taylor to Hound Dog Taylor to Luther Allison all paid their dues in the Chicago blues bars before making their mark on the world.

The same holds true today, as newcomers look to living legends like Buddy Guy, Eddy Clearwater and Lil’ Ed Williams for inspiration in taking their music from Chicago to fans across the globe.

Now, Cannon is ready to write his own story as he claims his place as one of the city’s most popular and innovative blues musicians.

“I came in the side door of blues,” said Cannon.

“I grew up around it. When I started playing guitar, I wanted to play reggae. All the clubs around Chicago were blues clubs. I grew up in the neighborhood of Theresa’s Lounge and never even knew how famous it was until I got older.

“I remember hearing all these great blues guys like Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. Now, I’m a blues musician. I have had some full-circle moments. I play blues for this age.”

Cannon will be playing with his longtime band – Adam Pryor on keyboards, Jay Rock on drums and Brian Quinn on bass.

“We’re playing six songs from the new album,” said Cannon. “And we play songs from all my albums – all the way back to ‘My Woman,’ which came out in 2007.”

Video link for Toronzo Cannon — https://youtu.be/sx0Xf-FIjJk

The show at Sellersville will start at 7:30 p.m. p.m.

Tickets are $25 and $39.50.

Other shows this month at the Sellersville venue are Anvil on July 18, Jim Messina on July 19, Martin Barre on July 20, Steve Earle on July 23, Tartan Terrors on July 24, King’s X on July 25 and 26, Cimarron 615 on July 27, Rhett Miller on July 28, Sugarray Rayford on July 30 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on July 31.

The show on July 23 at Saint Georges Country Store will start at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $40.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will be hosting Chrissie Crow (The Pretenders and Sheryl Crow) on July 20, Frontiers Journey (Journey) on July 26, Nimrod (Green Day) on July 27, and Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience on July 28.

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is hosting Captain Dawg on July 20, and Clapton America on July 27.

The Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/events) will host Tab Benoit & Anders Osborne with Special Guest Mike Zito on July 19.

Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) will host Sir Rod & the Blues Doctors on July 19.

Sir Rod & the Blues Doctors are a soulful, funky, Deep South trio bound by a family connection to the late Sterling “Mr. Satan” Magee, the greatest one-man blues band who ever lived.

The show at Jamey’s House of Music will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. It will also be available as a pay-per-view at $15.

On July 20, live entertainment will be provided by BLUESTIME!

BLUESTIME! features house rockin’, juke joint jumpin’ electric blues played by musicians who grew up listening, watching and learning from the “Golden Age Blues Masters.”

The show at Jamey’s House of Music will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. It will also be available as a pay-per-view at $15.

Every Sunday, Jamey’s presents “SUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM” featuring the Philly Blues Kings. On the second Sunday of each month, the featured act is the Girke-Davis Project which features club owner Jamey Reilly, Roger Girke, Glenn Bickel, Fred Berman and Colgan-Davis.

The Xcite Center at Parx Casino (2999 Street Road, Bensalem, https://parxcasino.com) will present Debbie Gibson on July 19.

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, www.AMTshows.com)

Other shows in July at the American Music Theater are The Docksiders on July 19, Tommy James & the Shondells on July 20, Frankie Valli on July 21, and NEEDTOBREATHE on July 25.

Phantom Power (121 West Frederick Street, Millersville, www.phantompower.net)

Yacht Lobsters on July 18, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack on July 20, and Fourth Annual Phantom Deadfest on July 27.

The Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Pastorius Park Concert Series is a beloved summer tradition that has been entertaining Philadelphians for over 70 years. The series was first established in 1949 and has since become a hallmark of the Chestnut Hill community, attracting residents and visitors alike with its free, outdoor concerts featuring a diverse range of musical genres.

The series takes place in Pastorius Park, a beautifully landscaped green space located in the heart of Chestnut Hill.

The concerts are held on Wednesday evenings in June and July, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to enjoy while they listen to the music.

The schedule for 2024 features Lincoln Drive on July 24, and Joseph Arnold String Quartet on July 31.