Melissa Manchester News

This 2022 revival of the 1964 musical is quite enjoyable, not because of its new changes (via director Michael Mayer and Harvey Fierstein's new book) but thanks mostly to its lead star McCrimmon, who is reason enough to see this touring iteration. The show continues at Segerstrom Center for the Arts (with co-star Melissa Manchester) through June 9.

VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of.  How did that come about for both of you? Ellenore Scott:  Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival. Ayodele Casel:  I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in.  Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.

Katerina McCrimmon talks to BroadwayWorld about the rigorous demands of playing Fanny, what it’s like to work with the iconic Melissa Manchester, and how her high school boyfriend’s mom predicted she would land the role someday. 

Symphony Space has revealed details of An Evening with Maltby & Shire and Friends. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Tony winner Richard Maltby Jr. will direct a new revue for Weathervane's 2024 season, featuring a mix of classic and contemporary musical numbers.

Watch Katerina McCrimmon wow the crowd with her rendition of the National Anthem at a San Francisco Giants game on Monday, May 13, 2024 in the video here!

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra presents the Virginia premiere of Peter Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue with piano soloist Jeffrey Biegel. Learn how to purchase tickets.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of singer/pianist Billy Stritch and vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli team up for “Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Experience the return of THE BILLY STRITCH TRIO at BIRDLAND THEATER in a special six-show engagement this month. Learn how to purchase tickets.

In the video here, Katerina McCrimmon (Fanny Brice) and Melissa Manchester (Mrs. Brice) sit down with ABC7 News Bay Area to discuss the FUNNY GIRL national tour, making a stop at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco through May 26, 2024.

What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at Orpheum Theatre?

After producing one of L.A.'s most popular annual cabaret events for the last 26 years, prolific cabaret producer Clifford Bell brings a new Palm Springs version of the popular event to the Coachella Valley on Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 7 pm; just in time to celebrate Barbra Streisand's April 24th birthday.

The New York Pops honored the record industry's most innovative and influential executive Clive Davis at the orchestra's 41st Birthday Gala, The Soundtrack of Our Lives: A Tribute to the Legendary Clive Davis.

I live in Florida, and I love Florida; Florida has amazing people and an amazing LGBTQ community, but, as you know, the government really isn't on our side there. When the drag bans started to happen, it really freaked you out because it happened like suddenly you weren't allowed to perform outside in Florida. People didn't know this happened, but many of the Pride Celebrations in Florida were canceled.

The Broadway Education Alliance has announced that the Camp Broadway Ensemble will perform with The New York Pops at their 41st Birthday Gala at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm. 

Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Art Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel Jr., Courtney Hadwin, Valerie Simpson, Patty Smyth, Ruben Studdard, Adrienne Warren, Diane Warren, and Avery Wilson will now join The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, to honor Clive Davis.

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Watch Stephen Mark Lukas, who plays Nick Arnstein in the National Tour of Funny Girl, discuss the production on CBS Los Angeles in the video here!

FUNNY GIRL is a gold standard that has endured through the ages and the production that just hit downtown Los Angeles is a rollicking and heartfelt success.

FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is playing now at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles! Go inside the show's glitzy opening night celebration at Center Theater Group in the new video!