Katerina McCrimmon was a fabulous Fanny, with the killer voice, adorable Jewish wise-cracking personality and indomitable energy — and the acting chops to deliver both the pizazz and the pain involved in this role — loosely based on the real life of Ziegfeld Follies comedienne, famous on stage, radio and film.
The set and costumes were wonderful, with a warm-colored 20s-30’s period look, smoothly slipping between the many scene changes, and the orchestra was lush — wonderful overture. We were wowed by the dancing, in general — the Zeigfeld Girls and the Cornet Men. Eddie (Izaiah Montaque Harris) was a show-stopping tap dancer — and an endearing and enduring friend to Fanny.
Stephan Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein was a perfect mismatch for Fanny — displaying elegant but tarnished charm and a wide range of emotions — along with a similarly wonderful singing voice.
Mrs. Brice (Eileen T’Kaye at our performance) was quite a character in her own right, funny and Jewish-motherly — fun with her poker gals Mrs Meeker (Cindy Chang) and Mrs. Strakosh, well played by Hannah Shankman at our performance, who also plays Fanny in certain performances — taller than Katerina, and maybe more of a Streisand-esque look? and also convincing in the mom’s-poker-buddy role. It seems this cast can really mix it up.
If you’ve never seen this classic musical — or if you have and you love it — get your tickets soon, it runs through February 11. Wharton’s Great Hall seemed pretty packed. https://www.whartoncenter.com