She's The Greatest Star

Once again, 92Y's Lyrics & Lyricists series educates and entertains. Instead of a composer or lyricist, the topic for the latest installment was a performer--Fanny Brice.
My knowledge of Fanny Brice comes from the movie Funny Girl, so it was fascinating to learn more about her from host Ted Sperling, musical director of South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and more. Capathia Jenkins, Leslie Kritzer, Faith Prince, and Clarke Thorell performed a mix of songs made famous by Brice and songs from Funny Girl. Sperling also provided background on the musical, such as the fact that Stephen Sondheim was originally tapped to write the lyrics for Jule Styne's score, but dropped out because Mary Martin was supposed to play Fanny. Crazy.
There are two more performances of Ziegfeld Girl: The Many Faces of Fanny Brice on Monday. The final show of the Lyrics & Lyricists series--Panning for Gold: Great Songs from Flop Shows--will premiere on May 31.