'Funny Girl' is a classic that still dazzles at the Benedum Center

There are worse ways to start off a new year than revisiting old friends, especially when those old friends are funnier, fresher and better than ever.

So it makes a lot of sense to enjoy “Funny Girl” while the national tour is in town, thanks to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. The run opened Tuesday night and performances will be held at the Benedum Center through Sunday.

“Funny Girl” originally opened on Broadway in 1964, starring eternal diva Barbra Streisand in the lead role — which she reprised for the 1968 film. The casting kerfuffle over the 2022 Broadway revival is worthy of its own musical, but with an updated book by legend Harvey Fierstein, a little drama is to be expected.

Loosely based on the life of Fanny Brice — an early-20th-century stage performer, comedian and actor — “Funny Girl” revolves around a young woman’s search for fame, tumultuous marriage and journey to love herself.

This tour’s principal Fanny Brice is Hannah Shankman, but the opening night audience saw Leah Platt in the role — and Platt was truly a treat. Since the character is a performer, some familiarity has to be baked in for any actor portraying her, but Platt was delightfully comfortable onstage. She deftly navigated the book’s jokes with wit and sparkle, slipping into the shoes of Fanny Brice like they were well-worn.

Related

• Here's a look at the highlights of Pittsburgh theater in 2025
• August Wilson gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• A look back at the best in Pittsburgh theater in 2024

There are some all-time great songs in “Funny Girl,” including “People” and Act One closer “Don’t Rain On My Parade.” Platt’s got some impressive and powerful vocal prowess and pulled them off on par with the greats, but her natural poise extended to the dramatic scenes, too.

Stephen Mark Lukas plays Nick Arnstein, her charming and somewhat slippery husband. He has an old-school charm that fits Nick perfectly, and he attacks the second act’s moments of desperation and despair with special vigor. He and Platt had genuine and often raw chemistry that made their relationship — both its highest highs and lowest lows — devastatingly realistic.

Another notable cast member is Izaiah Montaque Harris as Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s longtime friend and fellow performer. His tap dance breaks had the audience hooting and cheering (and every musical can use more tap). Also, Melissa Manchester plays Fanny’s mother Mrs. Brice with a pure old-fashioned humor that commands the stage anytime she is present.

One of the most exciting aspects of this production is how vintage it feels. With big marquee lights, an overture (how nice it was to hear one of those!) and several showy Ziegfeld Follies numbers, the show delivers the glamour of century-old showbiz. Direction by Michael Mayer and choreography by Ellenore Scott (and don’t forget tap choreography by Ayodele Casel) enhanced those era-specific aspects of the show without making it feel dated.

David Zinn’s scenic design is both realistic and flashy, transporting the characters to many locales, including vaudeville stages. A sumptuous and glitzy array of costumes by Susan Hilferty certainly grabbed attention, from sequined showgirl costumes to Fanny’s smart 1910s outfits.

The weakness of “Funny Girl” is in its second act — a common issue for two-act musicals. Bucking the convention of the show’s title, Act Two is markedly less funny and the music isn’t as memorable. But for every joyous first act rise there must be a second act downfall, and even with the less compelling material, the cast rose to the challenge in every scene.

For fans of the film — and those who love the great shows of the Broadway canon — this is a good updated revival. Just don’t let the bright lights fool you into expecting a perfectly happy ending.

“Funny Girl” will run through Jan. 12 at the Benedum Center. For more information and tickets, check out trustarts.org.