Tribute to hit musical's 50th anniversary

The Sydney Opera House will host yet another Broadway production next year, as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra presents the hit musical Funny Girl the Musical in Concert.

Funny Girl originally starred Barbara Streisand in the lead role of Fanny Brice, in both the original stage production and film versions, and spawned cherished songs such as I’m the Greatest Star, Don’t Rain on My Parade, People and The Music That Makes Me Dance.

Jule Styne and Bob Merrill’s Funny Girl is a classic musical production which commemorates the lively energy of 1910s and 20s Broadway. It’s a tale of shining success, bittersweet love, and the comic talent of Fanny Brice.

This special production is in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary and is to be directed by three-time Helpmann Award winner Michell Butel, who has also directed the Sydney Theatre Award-winning Violet and the SSO’s Porgy and Bess. Nine of Australia’s favourite leading actresses will share the role of Fanny Brice on stage each night.

The nine leading ladies sharing the stage for Funny Girl the Musical in Concert are:

Michela Banas – McLeod’s Daughters, Upper Middle Bogan, Winners & Losers,

Casey Donovan – We Will Rock You, The Sapphires, Flowerchildren – The Mamas & the Papas Story

Virginia Gay – Calamity Jane, All Saints, Winners and Losers, Vivid White

Verity Hunt-Ballard – Mary Poppins, Sweet Charity

Dami Im2013 winner of X Factor, 2016 Eurovision Representative, ARIA #1 and platinum selling artist

Zahra Newman – The Drowsy Chaperone, As You Like It

Caroline O’Connor – Anastasia the Musical, Anything Goes, Funny Girl (2016), Moulin Rouge

Queenie van de Zandt King Kong the Musical, The Boy from Oz, Smoke & Mirrors

Megan Washington – Two-time ARIA winner and multi-platinum artist

This special production of Funny Girl the Musical in Concert will be held on the 12th, 13th and 14th of July 2018, at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday December 8, starting at $79. To get your hand on one, head to sydneysymphony.com or call (02) 8215 4600.