Garson Kanin: Funny Girl: Casting Barbra Streisand

[@smurf902]

My aunt saw Barbra in ...Wholesale and said wowsa who the heck is THAT? She came on and was so long and gangly and unusual looking and that voice! She really saw a piece of theater history that night in 1962.

[@marcackerman492]

I agree with the part about re-hot ambition and talent. The thing that propelled Streisand into the stratosphere was her great talent, high intelligence, and her courage to withstand decades of people throwing unfair ethnic slurs and distorted facts her way. Most people in her position, especially during the 60's, wouldn't have been able to withstand this treatment with her level of class.

[@nstix2009xitsn]

Marc Ackerman "people throwing unfair ethnic slurs and distorted facts her way. Most people in her position, especially during the 60's, wouldn't have been able to withstand this treatment with her level of class." You're a total and ridiculous liar. By then, Jews had long dominated the entertainment world. "Most people in her position, especially during the 60's..."?!

[@barbraevergreen]

I totally agree with you Marc. She's extraordinary.

[@barbraevergreen]

@@nstix2009xitsn Shut up. You don't know what you're talking about.

[@snarkyenigma9219]

@@nstix2009xitsn Thank you. I am old enough to have witnessed the rise of Streisand first hand, and contrary to what that poster wrote, Barbra's "Jewishness" was celebrated, not scorned.

[@ukuleleeddie1953]

I don't buy this "we cast and unknown" story. Streisand released her first album in February 1963. It won the Grammy for Album of the year and best female vocal. Her second album was released in August 1963. Here 3rd album and 3rd top 10 was released in Feb 1964. And she was on TV on all the talk shows performing. So, she was hardly unknown. Heck, her recording of People was a top 10 hit before Funny Girl opened in 1964. I think Funny Girl actually caught a rising star just as she was rapidly ascending.

[@kallen868]

I get what you are saying...already singing...but never an Actress, singer, dancer She had little experience.

[@dferzaremba]

Streisand was cast early 1963 as things were just starting to groove. Within months her career was moving up quickly. So much so that when David Merrick pulled out of FUNNY GIRL, Barbra’s manager Marty Erlichman renegotiated her contract from $750 a week (her contract with Merrick) to $2,500 a week (with Ray Stark) due to all the things you mentioned. Kanin is correct when he states she was “an unknown” as she was cast before all the things you mentioned started taking place (she had yet to even do The Judy Garland Show). When Merrick pulled out, Barbra was exploding so her manager knew to take advantage of this. Ray Stark had no choice but agree to the new demands. He did nix the request for a limo to-and-from the theatre and meals. He agreed to taxi service instead.

[@zinam5795]

They seemed great talent rights away--alredy her experience was not important!

[@bob11cav]

people is a songfrom funnygirl written for her after she was cast

[@chocolatesouljah]

@@dferzaremba Hello. Thanks for this summary. I thought I knew a fair amount about La La Streisand but this series of information was new to me. Another idea that comes across is Mr. Kanin says she was ascendant and had a Mary Martin or Anne Bancroft played Fanny as was in the works at different points that Ms. Streisand would have simply gotten a break elsewhere and that "there was no stopping that talent she was just so good." 1:33 . Columnist Dorothy Kilgallen Ms. Streisand described her as a "very hot property these days." Not so much a star but one in the making.

[@mzmiller52]

Supposedly, Bancroft said you’ll never find anyone to sing this score.

[@Mike-fp5rc]

Legend has it that among those who were considered to play the role of Fanny Brice were Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Eydie Gorme, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Phyllis Diller, Martha Raye, Ethyl Merman just to name a few. But we will probably never know who was refused and/or who actually turned it down.

[@joshdrayton1230]

It was offered to Mary Martin, then Anne Bancroft. At one stage Steve and Eydie were considered as a package deal. And it was offered to Carol Burnett. The other names you list are doubtful. Joan Rivers wasn't a name then, and certainly not a star. Garland was already considered hopelessly unreliable and uninsurable.

[@Mike-fp5rc]

@@joshdrayton1230 What was Carol's reason for refusing the role, or did she fail the audition? Did Steve and Eyde want too much money or did negotiations not make it that far? Oh wait, you weren't there.

[@08davey]

@@Mike-fp5rc Carol was Jerome Robbins choice. She said she was too "waspish". She suggested Anne Bancroft if they wanted a star, or Barbra Streisand if they wanted to make a star.

[@Mike-fp5rc]

I started my post with "legend has it" ... you cranky old queen.

[@Mike-fp5rc]

@@08davey That's interesting. Obviously they made the right choice because I can't imagine anyone else with the vocal chops to handle such a score. BTW, were YOU there? LoL

[@thomasmiles340]

It was originally supposed to be Anne Bancroft in the role.

[@kallen868]

Anne Bancroft said something like..."You'll never find someone to sing those songs." I think she would have made a good Fanny.

[@thomasmiles340]

@@kallen868 Really liked your comment. Do you remember when she was originally going to star in "Mommie Dearest" before it went to Faye Dunaway? Cheers.

[@pauldockree9915]

Miss Marmelstein song in "I can get it for you wholesale musical" Never mind the quality feel the width. Smutter smutter. Sorry. The Wide Missoura?

[@gtlfb]

I also read Shirley McClaine was asked. She and Barbra were friends - supposedly they just looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

[@davegallagher3464]

Barbra was cast long before Kanin came into the picture. And according to Barbra and others he was a lousy director and ended up being replaced by Jerome Robbins who improved the show immensley.