A one-woman show, written, arranged, and originally directed by Chip Deffaa -- published and licensed by Leicester Bay Theatricals.
This Off-Broadway hit has been performed in New Jersey, Virginia, Connecticut, Michigan, New York City, the Catskills, etc. (The original cast album is available from Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, iTunes, etc.) The "One Night with Fanny Brice" production photo below shows Mary Cantoni Johnson, who enjoyed a long run as Brice at the 13th Street Repertory Theater (50 W. 13th Street) in New York City, as well as several successful runs in Connecticut.
Mary Cantoni Johnson
"Mary Cantoni Johnson, as Fanny Brice, glitters hypnotically. Fresh, radiant, and authentic, she brings down the house." --Joe Franklin, Bloomberg Radio.
Mary Cantoni Johnson, currently starring in "One Night with Fanny Brice" at the 13th Street Repertory Theater, NYC
This acclaimed one-woman show is now available for licensing. You can license the script from Leicester Bay Theatricals and mount your own production, or you can book a complete production from us. (In addition to this solo show, Deffaa has written two big-cast musical plays about Brice; for info on those shows, please see the pages on this website titled "Presenting Fanny Brice" and "The Fanny Brice Story.")
Mary Cantoni Johnson, currently starring in "One Night with Fanny Brice" at the 13th Street Repertory Theater, NYC
"One Night with Fanny Brice" originally opened in New York at St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street) in 2011, with Kimberly Faye Greenberg playing Brice--running at that Off-Broadway house for five months. The show subsequently moved to the 13th Street Repertory Theater in New York City, running, off-and-on, for several years, with Mary Cantoni Johnson and then Chloe Brooks starring as Brice.
Chloe Brooks with Chip Deffaa
Chloe Brooks
"Fresh and impressive! A true Golden-Age-of-Show-Business love story. The audience was exhilarated! A personal triumph for author Chip Deffaa..." -- Joe Franklin, Bloomberg Radio
In The New York Times, Andy Webster wrote: "It’s to the credit of the actress Kimberly Faye Greenberg and the writer-director-arranger Chip Deffaa... that the solo show ‘One Night With Fanny Brice’ ducks the formidably long shadow of Barbra Streisand and ‘Funny Girl,’ the 1964 Broadway musical about Brice..... ‘Funny Girl’ was a whitewash. ‘One Night,’ at St. Luke’s Theater, delves deeper into her story."
Jennifer Farrar of the Associated Press noted: "To portray the life of legendary musical theater performer Fanny Brice on stage requires confidence and nerve, as well as talent. Not to worry — Kimberly Faye Greenberg is up to the task. She's sassy, lively and animated in the solo show, 'One Night With Fanny Brice,' a charming new musical.... Written, directed and arranged by Chip Deffaa, the solo show chronologically covers Brice's immigrant childhood and long career in show business, and her tumultuous love life with faithless con artist Nick Arnstein. Deffaa has distilled Brice's busy life and career into a well-paced two-hour show."
Richard Danley has music-directed the show in New York. Jonathan Russell played violin for the original production. Renee Purdy designed the costumes. (New York production photos by Carol Rosegg.)
Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice
Fanny Brice rose from rather humble origins to become the highest-paid American singing comedienne--a Ziegfeld star equally effective whether putting over a broadly comic number or a dramatic torch song.
A strong, intuitive, street-smart woman, Brice's life story provided the inspiration for "Funny Girl" and "Funny Lady."
"One Night with Fanny Brice" features songs Brice made famous, including "Rose of Washington Square," "My Man," and "Second Hand Rose."
Mary Cantoni Johnson, currently starring in "One Night with Fanny Brice" at the 13th Street Repertory Theater, NYC
This solo show is a terrific tour-de-force for a dynamic singing actress.
New York Theatre Wire’s Paulanne Simmons wrote: "Deffaa, whose credits include five different shows about George M. Cohan, ‘The Johnny Mercer Jamboree’ and the musical comedy ‘The Seven Little Foys,’ clearly knows how to mine the repertoire of stars for the appropriate gems. He also knows how to pace his show with ballads and upbeat numbers, quiet moments of reflection and exuberant hoofing.... Fanny Brice has been dead for sixty years. But this season Brice will come alive again...."
Elizabeth Ahlfors wrote in CurtainUp that Greenberg, portraying Brice, "delivers her songs in a similar wide vibrato and a lusty belt, has a tenacious tap dance technique, and tosses out quips with offhand charm. Deffaa has deftly set up the scenes to lead into just the right song..... An ASCAP Award-winning writer/director, Chip Deffaa continues to keep alive the excitement and drama of the years when popular entertainment was taking its baby steps. ‘One Night With Fanny Brice’ celebrates the essence and gusto of one talented American entertainer."
Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice
Ethan Kanfer wrote in Show Business: "Dynamic solo performer Kimberly Faye Greenberg proves herself to be up to the task. She looks remarkably like Brice and does a solid vocal impersonation.... She is aided by Deffaa’s well-researched script and tasteful direction."
Barbara Leavy wrote in Cabaret Scenes: "Greenberg has no reason to worry about dispelling the audience's memories of Brice herself or Barbra Streisand in ‘Funny Girl.’ She can belt out a song or deliver it with tenderness."
************************************************************************** And famed mentalist The Amazing Kreskin commented: "The story, acting, and music of ‘One Night with Fanny Brice’ gave me one of the best theatre experiences I’ve had in years. I was enchanted! No, you don’t have to be a mentalist to predict that Kimberly Faye Greenberg and Chip Deffaa with their ‘One Night with Fanny Brice’ are destined for a tremendous future."
"One Night with Fanny Brice" had its first production in New Jersey. Kimberly Faye Greenberg (pictured below) starred. Chip Deffaa directed, and Justin Boccitto (assisted by Cristina Marie) choreographed. (New Jersey production photos courtesy of Maryann Lopinto.)
The audience loved it!
Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice
We've recorded a cast album, which has been released on Original Cast Records (OC3831). This premiere recording features Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Brice, with music director/pianist Mark Goodman and violinist Jonathan Russell. It is available from such well-known online retailers as CDBaby.com, Amazon,com, Footlight.com, iTunes, etc. If you'd like to order a copy of the cast album, click here:
CD Review: "One Night With Fanny Brice" (Original Cast Records)
"The legendary Fanny Brice springs back to life in this biomusical which features nearly two dozen songs, excellently selected by the show's creator/director Chip Deffaa. The show's star, Kimberly Faye Greenberg, delivers a host of familiar tunes, including 'My Man,' 'After You've Gone,' and 'Second-Hand Rose,' along with some choice rarities, with comic zest and fine-tuned gusto."
-- Andy Propst, Theatremania
To order a copy of the cast album, please click here:
The next production of "One Night with Fanny Brice" was by the American Century Theater Company, in Arlington, Virgina (Jack Marshall, Artistic Director)--a month-long run (Nov. 3-27, 2010) at the 367-seat Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre.
Esther Covington starred; Ellen Dempsey directed; Tom Fuller music-directed. Audiences (and reviewers) were charmed. Read what reviewers wrote:
Esther Covington
"The life and loves of Fanny Brice come alive in this stellar performance.... This American Century Theater production captures the high and low notes of this icon...."
-- DC Theatre Scene
“‘One Night with Fanny Brice’ delivers what it promises.... This may be as close as devotees will ever get to [Fanny Brice].... An interesting look back.”
-- Sun Gazette Newspapers.
“Deffaa’s script neatly describes [Brice’s era], including many details about Fanny’s life, making her rags-to-riches story very credible.....One of the nicest elements of 'One Night With Fanny Brice' is the way Deffaa brings Fanny’s historical contemporaries to life: Flo Ziegfeld, Eddie Cantor, Gypsy Rose Lee, Billy Rose, W.C. Fields, Al Jolson and all the lowlifes associated with Nicky Arnstein, Fanny’s one true love.”
--The Washington Examiner
“Forget about watching Barbra again ... enjoy this more realistic take on the famed songstress/comedian”
-- All Arts Review 4 U.
“An excellent portrayal of one of the icons of the era.... a fun show...”
--Arlington Weekly News TV.
Mary Cantoni Johnson as Fanny Brice
The Phoenix Stage Company of Naugatuck, Connecticut, produced "One Night with Fanny Brice" in January of 2011, and brought it back for a return engagement in September of 2011. They presented still another engagement in 2015.
Mary Cantoni Johnson starred as Fanny Brice in this production, which was directed by Sharon A. Wilcox. T.J. Thompson music-directed; Renee Purdy designed the costumes; and Ed Bassett designed the set.
The show and its star, Mary Cantoni Johnson, earned high praise.
Respected critic Joanne Greco Rochman wrote in the Waterbury Republican-American:
"Delivering a tour de force performance, Cantoni-Johnson is mesmerizing. Considering that this is a full two-hour one-woman show, it is rather remarkable that Cantoni-Johnson holds our attention from start to finish.
T. J. Thompson, Mary Cantoni Johnson
"Not only does she engage the audience, but she even leaves the stage and walks among the audience. Music director TJ Thompson as accompanist is so attentive to the singer that they mesh in a nearly flawless performance.
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"Singing more than 20 numbers, the gifted and charismatic soloist is as expressive as she is entertaining. It's impossible to take your eyes off her.... Deffaa's play is loaded with history, which includes celebrities from vaudeville and burlesque to Broadway. We learn about Gypsy Rose Lee, W.C. Fields, Flo Ziegfeld, and Al Jolson through Fanny's eyes. Most importantly the musical is a rendering of Fanny Brice's life and career based on research and interviews with people who knew Fanny.
"Brice died in 1951. However, she comes to life again in... 'One Night with Fanny Brice.'"
Mary Cantoni Johnson
Mary Cantoni Johnson scored such a success playing Brice in Connecticut, Deffaa invited her to play the role in New York. She subsequently starred in the show at the 13th Street Repertory Theater, 50 West 13th Street, New York City. Chloe Brooks eventually succeeded her for a long run at the 13th Street Rep. Other productions, from Michigan to the Catskills, have followed. Jackie Darnell will be the next "Fanny Brice," when the show, directed by Angie Thacker, gets its first Ohio production.
Jackie Darnell
Jackie Darnell
Mary Cantoni Johnson
Mary Cantoni Johnson
"One Night with Fanny Brice" is a one-woman show. Deffaa has also written two big-cast musical plays about Brice. For details on those shows, please visit the pages on this website titled "Presenting Fanny Brice" and "The Fanny Brice Story."
Chip Deffaa, Mary Cantoni Johnson, Sharon Wilcox, Richard Danley, after a performance of "One Night with Fanny Brice" at the 13th Street Repertory Theater, NYC, June 2013
Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice
Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice
Costume designer Renee Purdy with Kimberly Faye Greenberg
Our Off-Broadway production's costumes have been designed by Renee Purdy. Justin Boccitto (pictured at right, working with Kimberly Faye Greenberg) choreographed the original New York production, assisted by Cristina Marie and Nicky Romaniello.
Chip Deffaa directed the original Off-Broadway production; Richard Danley music-directed and played piano (with Jonathan Russell on violin); Justin Boccitto choreographed; Renee Purdy designed the costumes; Cristina Marie was Assistant Choreographer; Eric Johnson was Assistant to the Director.
Kimberly Faye Greenberg as "Fanny Bice" (photo by Maryann Lopinto)
If you'd like to present the show yourself, you can license the script from us and do a production of your own, casting whomever you'd like....
Or, if you prefer, talk to us about having us provide a package for your venue. We'll find a way to make it work, whatever is best for you.
Kimberly Faye Greenberg with playwright/director Chip Deffaa
Demo CD and DVD available upon request.
Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice (photo by Maryann Lopinto)
The premiere recording of "One Night with Fanny Brice," featuring Kimberly Faye Greenberg (with music direction by Mark Goodman) is available now. Order a copy from such leading online vendors as CDBaby.com and Footlight.com. To see a list of tracks, or to order a copy now, click here:
Fanny Brice (dressed as "Baby Snooks", center) with George Burns and Gracie Allen
Mary Cantoni Johnson
Audiences love seeing "One Night With Fanny Brice"....
Kimerly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice
Fanny Brice, with her son, Billy
If you would like more information on "One Night with Fanny Brice," or would like to license the show, contact Chip Deffaa Productions LLC, 50 Quartz Lane, Paterson, NJ 07501-3345, tel. (973) 684-3340, Email: OriginalCast1@aol.com.
Or contact: Peter Sawyer President The Fifi Oscard Agency, New York, NY tel. (212) 764-1100 psawyer@fifioscard.com
If you would like more information on Brice, may we recommend "The Fanny Brice Collection," a charming (and quite thorough) fan site, maintaned by Wim Sminia of Holland; to visit that site, please click here:
