Written and Arranged by Chip Deffaa.
(For production by Professional Groups, College/University Groups, Community Groups, High Schools, Junior High Schools, Church Groups, Youth Theatres)
This musical is inspired by the life of Fanny Brice (1891-1951), who rose from modest beginnings to become the highest-paid American singing comedienne of her day–for many years a famed star of the Ziegfeld Follies. The show begins with Emmie, a 16 year old girl in 1950, interviewing the then 60-year-old Fanny Brice. As Fanny reminisces, the show unfolds onstage. Featuring 35 songs from the era of Fanny Brice, and characters who are larger than life, (Eddie Cantor, Flo Ziegfeld, W.C. Fields, George M. Cohan and Nicky Arnstein) this show was a hit in its premiere in New Jersey. This unique, family-friendly celebration of legendary entertainer Fanny Brice includes stories and songs (such as “Becky is Back in the Ballet,” “Lovin’ Sam,” and “Always Leave ‘Em Laughing”) found in no other shows. This full-scale musical comedy features plenty of ensemble numbers, and is G-rated.
Fanny Brice’s life has inspired no less than three film musicals: ‘Rose of Washington Square,’ ‘Funny Girl,’ and ‘Funny Lady.’ In addition, a proposed, upcoming big-budget Broadway revival of ‘Funny Girl’ should help bring renewed attention to this renowned performer. But in the meantime, produce THE FANNY BRICE STORY.
PLAY DETAILS:
- 27 Characters (Can be doubled to 9 actresses and 6 actors) plus singing and dancing chorus. (+ a dog)
- Sets and Costumes can be simple or complex
- About 2 hours.
- ORDER # 3070
Available for production by ALL producing groups.
PERUSAL MATERIALS
- The PERUSAL PAGES file is in PDF format and contains the first act of this two act musical: FannyBriceStoryPERUSAL
SONG LIST
Act One:
1. “Say it with Music” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921)
2. “Becky is Back in the Ballet” (words by Blanche Merrill, music by Leo Edwards, 1918)
3. “After the Ball” (words and music by Charles K. Harris, 1892)
4. “Mandy” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1919)
5. “The Schoolhouse Blues” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921) plus a brief excerpt of “School Days” (words by Will D. Cobb, music by Gus Edwards, 1907)
6. “Oh, How That German Could Love!” (words by Irving Berlin, music by Ted Snyder, 1910)
7. “When You Kiss an Italian Girl” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1911)
8. “Ireland Must be Heaven” (words and music by Joseph McCarthy, Howard Johnson, Fred Fisher, 1916)
9. “Simple Melody” / “Musical Demon” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1914)
10. “The Man Who Owns Broadway” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1909) / “Give My Regards to Broadway” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1904)
11. “An Ode to Popularity” (words by Chip Deffaa, 2010; music by George M. Cohan, 1906)
12. “So Long Mary” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1905)
13. “Oh, That Beautiful Rag” (a capella excerpts) (words by Irving Berlin, music by Ted Snyder, 1910)
14. “Everybody’s Doin’ It Now” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1911)
15. “Stop! Stop! Stop!” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1910)
16. “Under the Mellow Arabian Moon” (words and music by Caspar Nathan and J. Walter Leopold, 1915)
17. “Oh, That Beautiful Rag” (words by Irving Berlin, music by Ted Snyder, 1910)
18. “Oh, That Beautiful Rag–Reprise” (words by Irving Berlin, music by Ted Snyder, 1910)
Act Two:
19. “Everybody Step” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921
20. “So Long Mary-Reprise” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1905)
21. “Everybody Step-Reprise” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921)
22. “I’m an Indian” (words by Blanche Merrill, music by Leo Edward, 1922)
23. “I Want You” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1907)
24. “Lovin’ Sam” (words by Jack Yellen, music by Milton Ager, 1922)
25. “I Want You–First Reprise” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1907)
26. “Snookey Ookums” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1913)
27. “Oh! How I Hate that Fellow Nathan!” (words by Lew Brown, music by Albert Von Tilzer, 1922)
28. “How ‘Ya Gonna Keep Em Down on the Farm?” (words by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, music by Walter Donaldson, 1919)
29. “Second Hand Rose” (words by Grant Clarke, music by James F. Hanley, 1921)
30. “My Man” (English words by Channing Pollock, music by Maurice Yvain, 1921)
31. “I Want You-Second Reprise” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1907)
32. “Baby Snooks cues” (brief excerpts from the traditional nursery rhyme, “Rockabye Baby,” and from “Always Leave Them Laughing When You Say Goodbye,” words and music by George M. Cohan, 1903)
33. “After You Get What You Want, You Don’t Want It” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1920)
34 “Always Leave Them Laughing When You Say Goodbye” (words and music by George M. Cohan, 1903)
34. Bows: “Oh, That Beautiful Rag” (instrumental for curtain calls; music by Ted Snyder, 1910)
35. Exit Music: “After the Ball” (music by Charles K. Harris, 1892)
DEMO SAMPLES in mp3 form (These songs were created from the Finale files of the Piano-Vocal Scores. There is no melody sung, but it is played by an instrument other than the piano. The songs listed here are not the most familiar of Fanny’s repertoire, they are the lesser known gems of a rich career):
- For further info and photos visit Chip Deffaa’s own page: HERE
PHOTO of Fanny Brice as she appeared at home and off-stage, during the time she was with the Ziegfeld Follies. (Thanks, Chip — for the photo!)
PURCHASE REHEARSAL MATERIALS:
(Any PDF purchased will be emailed to your email address — if you need to provide that to us (not the one on your PayPal account?), email us. CDs will be mailed to a snail mail address. Do not purchase rehearsal materials or pay for royalties until you have performance clearance.)
- Performance License Application: No production rights can be granted until this application is filled out and sent to us. This is a filler form that after you click “SUBMIT” will send directly to our email address. Response averages 2-3 business days.
- Script in PDF format — Order #3070a : $25.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- Vocal Book in PDF format — Order #3070b : $15.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- Piano-Vocal Score in PDF format– Order #3070c : $30.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- First Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3070d : Royalty terms quoted on application.
- Second Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3070e : Royalty terms quoted on application.
- Professional Royalties will be quoted upon application.
PRODUCTIONS
- Rosen Theatre, New Jersey — 2013
Chip Deffaa has also written a powerhouse One-Woman show about Fanny Brice called, ONE NIGHT WITH FANNY BRICE. It is also available from Leicester Bay Theatricals HERE
BILLING CREDITS
The following is how the credits should read in all programs, posters, fliers, handbills and other promotional advertising for the show:
THE FANNY BRICE STORY
(featuring songs from the era of Fanny Brice)
Written and Arranged by
Chip Deffaa
NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play. (In a press release all type, will of course, be the same size.)
ALSO:
THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
“The Fanny Brice Story is presented through special arrangement with Leicester Bay Theatricals. All authorized materials are also supplied by LBT, www.leicesterbaytheatricals.com”
From the catalog of
