"THE FANNY BRICE STORY" is a full-scale musical comedy about the legendary star of stage, screen, and radio.
This is a rags-to-riches story with great comic specialties, ballads, and torch songs.... And plenty of heart.
Danielle Tolep as "Fanny Brice"
Fanny Brice
Written by ASCAP/Deems Taylor Award-winner Chip Deffaa, this family-friendly show can be performed by anywhere from 15 actors (with some "doubling" of roles) to more than 50 actors.
The chorus can be as large as desired. (And there are some really fun numbers for the chorus in this show!)
Suzanne Goldensohn ("Madame Bordonaro") and Danielle Tolep ("Fanny Brice")
Some of the showgirls (Yvonne De Souter, Anna Simone, Marisa Budnick, Julianna Clark)
Our thanks to the wonderfully talented actors who've helped in the development process for this show...
The spirited cast of the first reading of the play in New York City (from left to right): Michael Townsend Wright, Theron Johnson, Mary Cantoni Johnson, Emily Bordonaro, Bob Diamond, Chip Deffaa, Ben Orlando, Ray Yucis. Alexandrea Tocco, Hannah Bellows
This big musical comedy works for all ages. It's suitable for regional theaters, community theaters, college, high school, or junior high productions. Fanny Brice's rich life provided the inspiration for "Funny Girl" and "Funny Lady." Songs that Brice made famous--like her signature torch song, "My Man," and the witty, rollicking "Second-Hand Rose"--remain sure-fire.
Early in the show we get to see young Fanny and her brother Lew, singing/dancing on the streets of New York for pennies, as kids.
Fanny goes out on the road with a touring show. Eventually discovered by Flo Ziegfeld, she rises to stardom in his famed "Follies." And scores successes performing special material like "Becky is Back in the Ballet." (And this is the only show in the world that has that Brice speciality.)
This vintage caricature of Brice captures her spoofing ballet.
Fanny Brice becomes the highest-paid American singing comedienne. On stage, performing specialties like "I'm an Indian" (featured in this show), she makes everyone laugh.
Fanny Brice and Bob Hope, in "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1936."
As a star of the Ziegfeld Follies, she's got it made.
But offstage, her life isn't easy. The man she loves, she eventually finds out, is not trustworthy. And she must make some tough choices....
The score features more than 30 musical numbers, including such enduringly popular songs as "After the Ball," "Say it with Music," "Play a Simple Melody," "After You Get What You Want, You Don't Want It," "Mandy," and "How Ya Gonna Keep Em Down on the Farm (After They've Seen Paree)?" Wonderful songs to sing--and, in some cases, dance to.
Fanny Brice at home, in the 1920s
If you would like more information on "The Fanny Brice Story," or might like to license the show, please 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 Inc., 110 W. 40th St., Suite #704. NY, NY 10018, tel. (212) 764-1100; Email: psawyer@fifioscard.com
Costumes and sets can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. This musical conjures up a fabulous era in show business. And costumes can--if desired--be quite glamorous. (In the photo at left, we see Mary Cantoni Johnson, as Brice, in a terrific outfit designed by Renee Purdy, who's designed for several of Deffaa's shows.)
Brice became internationally renowned--one of the rare artists equally successful at making audiences laugh and cry. As she understood well, we need to be able to do both; we need outlets for both emotions. And this play, inspired by her life, offers us ample opportunities for both laughter and tears.
Fanny Brice, on a postage stamp from Sierra Leone. (Brice has also been seen on a United States postage stamp.)
Danielle Tolep ("Fanny Brice") and Livi Perrone ("Emmie"), with music director William Arnold
Claire DeBenedetto ("Young Fanny") and Hawkins Gardow ("Young Lew"), with music director William Arnold
Gathering to read the script for the first time, at Roy Arias Studios in New York City: Ben Orlando, Theron Johnson, Emily Bordonaro, Ray Yucis, Michael Townsend Wright, Mary Cantoni Johnson, Hannah Bellows, Bob Diamond, Alexandrea Tocco.
A tip of the hat to the gifted actors who've helped launch this play.... and to the actors who'll do productions in years to come. (Let us know how it goes; we'd love to hear from you.)
Mark Dacey ("George M. Cohan") and Hawkins Gardow ("Young Lew Brice")
Livi Perrone ("Emmie") and Daniele Tolep ("Fanny")
If you choose to do a production of this musical play, please note that playwright/director Chip Deffaa--a recognized authority on the roots of American entertainment--is available to consult, advise, or (if his schedule permits) direct.
The world premiere production of “The Fanny Brice Story” opened October 12th, 2013, at the Rosen Theater, at the Wayne, NJ, YMCA. Lauren Moran Mills was the director; William Arnold was the musical director; Angie Turro was the stage manager; Floyd Busse handled sound and lights. Hayley Budnick was the dog wrangler, Meryl Nagler Budnick was the producer. Chip Deffaa was playwright and consultant.
The cast was as follows: Danielle Tolep (Fanny Brice); Mark Dacey (J. Saleeby Jackson, Flo Ziegfeld, W. C. Fields, George M. Cohan); Livvi Perrone (Emmie); Hawkins Gardow (Young Lew Brice); Claire DeBenedetto (Young Fanny Brice); Suzanne Goldensohn (Madame Bordonaro, Rose Borach); Joseph Vissichio (Charles Borah, Nicky Arnstein); Nino Spallacci (Eddie Cantor, Max Bierstein), Michael Budnick (Theron, Pops Zander, Lew Brice), Ian Suter (John Frederick Chance III), Rachel Bammel (Ann Pennington), Marisa Budnick (Bessie McCoy), Juliana Clark (Vera Maxwell), Yvonne DeSouter (Olive Thomas), Anna Simone (Lillian Lorraine), Sheila Giardina (the Russian Wolfhound).
Mark Dacey ("J. Saleeby Jackson")
Marisa Budnick ("Bessie McCoy")
Hawkins Gardow, Livi Perrone
Music director William Arnold rehearses with cast members of the world-premiere production of "The Fanny Brice Story."
Producer Meryl Nagler Budnick, director Lauren Moran Mills, playwright Chip Deffaa, music director William Arnold
Fanny Brice, W. C. Fields
Fanny Brice's association with the Ziegfeld Follies lasted more than a quarter-century.
The above photo was taken when Brice was appearing in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1936. As the billboard over the Winter Garden Theatre indicates, she got top billing; others in the company included Bob Hope, Judy Canova, Gertrude Niessen, Josephine Baker, the Nicholas Brothers, Eve Arden.
Fanny Brice, having some fun at the expense of her longtime radio colleague, Hanley Stafford. (He played "Daddy" on her popular "Baby Snooks" radio show.
If you would like more information on "The Fanny Brice Story," or might like to license the show, please 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 110 W. 40th St., Suite #704 New York, NY 10018 tel. (212) 764-1100 psawyer@fifioscard.com
If you might like to license "The Fanny Brice Story," please contact Chip Deffaa Productions LLC, 50 Quartz Lane, Paterson, NJ 07501-3345, tel. (973) 684-3340, Email: OriginalCast1@aol.com.
Danielle Tolep ("Fanny Brice"), rehearsing with music director William Arnold
For more info, or to license the show, feel free to contact: Peter Sawyer, President, The Fifi Oscard Agency, 110 W. 40th St., Suite #704, New York, NY 10018, tel. (212) 764-1100 psawyer@fifioscard.com
Playwright Chip Deffaa, with Livi Perrone ("Emmie") and the opening-night flowers she's given him
