Funny Girl (musical) Funny Girl (musical) Funny Girl is a 1963 musical (opened on Broadway in 1964) with a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of Broadway star, film actress and comedian Fanny Brice featuring her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. Its original title was "My Man." The musical was produced by Ray Stark, who was Brice's son-in-law via his marriage to her daughter Frances, and starred Barbra Streisand. The production was nominated for eight Tony Awards but, facing tough competition from "Hello,
Good News of 1938 final host in 1940. Frank Morgan appeared regularly in a comedy role, as did Fanny Brice and Hanley Stafford in their roles of Baby Snooks and her father. An MGM chorus directed by Max Terrs provided music along with soloists, including Betty Jaynes, Connee Boswell, and Judy Garland. Brice initially appeared on the show's fourth episode on November 25, 1937. Herbert G. Goldman wrote in his book, "Fanny Brice: The Original Funny Girl", "Baby Snooks put "Good News" on the hit list and started Fanny on the radio career she would continue for the rest of her short life." After