You know when you walk into a musical and hope it’s going to be fun, lighthearted, and just an overall good time? Funny Girl at Bass Concert Hall was exactly that. No over-the-top Broadway dramatics, no trying too hard—just a well-done, entertaining show with some seriously great performances.
Hannah Shankman Was Born for This Role
Let’s just get straight to it—Hannah Shankman as Fanny Brice? Absolutely nailed it.
She had the comedic timing, the awkward charm, and that perfect mix of confidence and self-doubt that makes Fanny such a great character. But what really got me? Her voice.
When she sang “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” the whole theater was silent—just taking it in. And when it ended? Instant applause. Not just polite clapping—real applause, like everyone just needed a second to process how good it was.
The Costumes Were On Point
I don’t always notice costumes, but these? They were beautiful.
Fanny’s outfits were so fun—flashy when they needed to be, elegant when they didn’t. The Ziegfeld Follies numbers were exactly what you’d want from that kind of old-school Broadway glamour. Just really well done without feeling too much.
Izaiah Harris and That Tap-Dancing Moment
I wasn’t expecting to walk out of this show talking about tap dancing, but Izaiah Harris as Eddie Ryan made sure of that.
His big number was honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole night. It was just so effortless, so smooth, and the way the whole theater lit up during that scene? It just worked.
The Three Grandmas Stole Every Scene
I don’t even know if they’re officially called that, but I’m calling them the three grandmas, and I loved them.
They weren’t the main focus, obviously, but every time they showed up, I was instantly happy. Perfect comedic timing, dry humor, and just enough attitude to steal the scene without overdoing it. They were honestly one of my personal highlights.
Final Thoughts? It’s Just a Really Good Show.
No over-explaining needed—Funny Girl at Bass Concert Hall was just a really solid night at the theater. It was fun, easy to watch, and had some genuinely great performances.
Hannah Shankman was incredible.
The costumes were gorgeous.
Izaiah Harris stole the show with one tap-dancing scene.
And the grandmas? Absolutely iconic.
If you’re thinking about going, just do it. It’s exactly the kind of musical you want it to be.
Who: Texas Performing Arts presents Broadway in Austin
When: Through March 9, 2025
Where: Bass Concert Hall | 2350 Robert Dedman Drive
How: Tickets start at $25 and are available here.
