Post by mistressjojo on Jul 14, 2018 9:32:51 GMT
12 Fannys! Yes, count 'em.
A very cleverly conceived system of 'tag- you're it' saw all 12 performers have their moment as the greatest star. Director Mitchell Butel has played to each ladies ( and one man's) strengths in choosing their scenes and numbers.
Caroline O'Connor tops & tails the show as the older Fanny, and brings the house down with My Man. Casey Donovan belts out a gutsy Cornet Man, Zahra Newman ( Book of Morman) takes on Don't Rain on My Parade and Trevor Ashley makes a hilariously beautiful bride in His Love Makes Me Beautiful.
What I liked about this was that apart from maybe two of the Fannys ( Maggie McKenna & Verity Hunt-Ballard) , these are performers who would normally be given a chance at this part. They would be considered the wrong age, the wrong size, the wrong ethnicity, even the wrong sex. But they all performed brilliantly for the moment they were given, and for all their differences they were the same Fanny.
Despite being billed as a concert , there is staging (albeit minimal) and a supporting ensemble of 11. The only difference really from the Sheridan Smith production at the Menier was the inclusion of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on the stage.
Sadly it's only a 4 show run ( last show tonight), but perhaps it's success can inspire other directors to take on something similar in future.
Song List
If a girl isn't pretty - Nancye Hayes/Valerie Bader/Ryan Gonzalez
I'm the Greatest Star -Maggie McKenna
Cornet Man - Casey Donovan
Nicky Arnstein No.1 - Zahra Newman
Who Taught Her Everything? - Nancye Hayes/Ryan Gonzalez
His Love Makes Me Beautiful - Trevor Ashley
I Want To Be Seen With You Tonight - Don Hany/Michala Banas
Nicky Arnstein No.2 - Zahra Newman/Michala Banas
Henry Street - ensemble
People - Queenie Van De Zandt
You Are Woman, I am Man - Don Hany/Verity Hunt-Ballard
Don't Rain on My Parade - Zahra Newman
Sadie, Sadie - Megan Washington
Find Yourself a Man - Nancye Hayes/Valerie Bader/Ryan Gonzalez
Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat - Virginia Gay/Ensemble
Who Are You Now? - Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Don't Rain On My Parade - Don Hany
The Music that Makes Me Dance - Dami Im
My Man - Caroline O'Connor
Finale /Don't Rain on my Parade - Caroline O'Connor and all Fannys.
A very cleverly conceived system of 'tag- you're it' saw all 12 performers have their moment as the greatest star. Director Mitchell Butel has played to each ladies ( and one man's) strengths in choosing their scenes and numbers.
Caroline O'Connor tops & tails the show as the older Fanny, and brings the house down with My Man. Casey Donovan belts out a gutsy Cornet Man, Zahra Newman ( Book of Morman) takes on Don't Rain on My Parade and Trevor Ashley makes a hilariously beautiful bride in His Love Makes Me Beautiful.
What I liked about this was that apart from maybe two of the Fannys ( Maggie McKenna & Verity Hunt-Ballard) , these are performers who would normally be given a chance at this part. They would be considered the wrong age, the wrong size, the wrong ethnicity, even the wrong sex. But they all performed brilliantly for the moment they were given, and for all their differences they were the same Fanny.
Despite being billed as a concert , there is staging (albeit minimal) and a supporting ensemble of 11. The only difference really from the Sheridan Smith production at the Menier was the inclusion of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on the stage.
Sadly it's only a 4 show run ( last show tonight), but perhaps it's success can inspire other directors to take on something similar in future.
Song List
If a girl isn't pretty - Nancye Hayes/Valerie Bader/Ryan Gonzalez
I'm the Greatest Star -Maggie McKenna
Cornet Man - Casey Donovan
Nicky Arnstein No.1 - Zahra Newman
Who Taught Her Everything? - Nancye Hayes/Ryan Gonzalez
His Love Makes Me Beautiful - Trevor Ashley
I Want To Be Seen With You Tonight - Don Hany/Michala Banas
Nicky Arnstein No.2 - Zahra Newman/Michala Banas
Henry Street - ensemble
People - Queenie Van De Zandt
You Are Woman, I am Man - Don Hany/Verity Hunt-Ballard
Don't Rain on My Parade - Zahra Newman
Sadie, Sadie - Megan Washington
Find Yourself a Man - Nancye Hayes/Valerie Bader/Ryan Gonzalez
Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat - Virginia Gay/Ensemble
Who Are You Now? - Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Don't Rain On My Parade - Don Hany
The Music that Makes Me Dance - Dami Im
My Man - Caroline O'Connor
Finale /Don't Rain on my Parade - Caroline O'Connor and all Fannys.
