Show Synopsis:
Teenage Fanny Brice starts her career in vaudeville by being funny instead of conventionally beautiful and talented, and meets Nicky Arnstein soon afterwards. Although her career flourishes and she becomes a star, Nicky convinces her to marry him if he wins a fortune gambling. After they marry, Fanny invests heavily in a casino, which fails and pushes Nicky to embezzlement. He goes to prison and when he gets out, he and Fanny decide to separate, and Fanny has to learn to start again.
Character:
Fanny Brice, an idealistic teenager who longs to be a vaudeville performer despite the fact that she is not conventionally beautiful; funny and blunt.
Song Context:
Fanny has been told that she should not go into show business because she is not conventionally beautiful, but she vows to Eddie, a vaudeville dancer, that she will work hard to show the world how talented she is.
Fun Facts:
1) While casting the original Broadway production of Funny Girl, the team considered Mary Martin to play Fanny Brice. Stephen Sondheim, who at the time had agreed to write the lyrics, told Jule Styne "You've got to have a Jewish girl, and if she's not Jewish she at least has to have a nose." Sondheim dropped the project, and Barbra Streisand was cast in the role.
2) Streisand reprised the role for the film adaptation and was honored with an Academy Award for Best Actress.
3) This musical is based on real events in the life of Fanny Brice, an entertainment star of the early twentieth century.
"Listen,
I've got thirty-six expressions-
Sweet as pie to tough as leather
[Spoken]
And that's six expressions more
Than all them Barrymores put together.
Instead of just kicking me
Why don't they give me a lift?
It must be a plot,
'Cause they're scared that I got
Such a gift-well, I'm miffed-'cause
I'm the greatest star-
I am by far, but no one knows it!
Wait, they're gonna hear a voice,
A silver flute-ah hah, ah hah-
They'll cheer each toot
[Spoken]
Hey! I hear she's terrific
[Sung]
When I expose it!
Now, can't you see to look at me
That I'm a natural Camille?
As Camille I just feel
I've so much to offer.
Listen kid, I know I'd be divine because
I'm a natural cougher.
[Coughs]
Some ain't got it-not a lump,
I'm a great big clump of talent!
Laugh!
They'll bend in half.
[Spoken]
Did you ever hear the story about the traveling salesman?
[Sung]
A thousand jokes
Stick around for the jokes,
A thousand faces.
I reiterate,
When you're gifted,
Then you're gifted,
These are facts-I got no axe to grind.
Hey, what are they-blind?
In all of the world so far
I'm the greatest star!
Who is the pip with piz-azz?
Who is all ginger and jazz?
Who is as glamorous as?
Who's an American Beauty rose
With an American Beauty nose,
And ten American Beauty toes,
Eyes on the target, and wham-
One shot, one gun shot and bam!
Hey, Mr. Ziegfeld, here I am!
I'm the greatest star,
I am by far,
But no one knows it!
That's why I was born-
I'll blow my horn
Till someone blows it!
I'll light up like a light
Right up like a light
I'll flicker, then flare up
All the world's gonna stare up
Lookin' down
You'll never see me-
Try the sky,
'Cause that'll be me.
I can make 'em cry,
I can make 'em sigh,
Someday they'll clamor
For my dram-er.
Have you guessed yet,
Who's the best yet?
If you ain't I'll tell you one more time.
You bet your last dime
In all of the world so far
I'm the greatest, greatest star!"