Monday 13th January 2014
Session One
During this song Fanny is telling Eddie that she is frustrated over how people think they can control her life and tell her what to do. Fanny is finally happy with someone, Nick, and wants to spend more time with him but people are trying to make decisions for her. The phrase "Don't Rain On My Parade" means don't spoil or ruin my happiness.
Fanny also mentions how when she succeeds it's thanks to everyone around her but when she fails it's her own fault "If someone takes a spill, it's me and not you!".
Fanny mentions the challenge of her own mother's doubt in her and her appearance, she doesn't doubt herself but she isn't big headed, she knows she has succeeded which she is thankful for but now she wants to live her life. She believes that she is a "comer" someone who will succeed, and sometimes she's the only one who believes this.
Her success is down to her confidence and self motivation "eye on the target". She's presenting herself to Nick "Mr Arnstein, here I am..." because this is the real and raw version of her. She's everything she wants to be and wants to do, no one can stop that.
She reinforces that she won't allow anyone to spoil her happiness "Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!". Fanny is a strong character and is willing to leave her career to be happy in her personal life.
The main themes of this song are passion, love, frustration and independency. By exploring the lyrics and the background to the song I can emphasise this themes through my performance. With this understanding of the song, hopefully I can later adapt a similar frame of mind to Fanny to produce a realistic portrayal and a performance an audience would find interesting to watch through the beginning exploration of the musicality of Fanny Brice.
Character Profile of Fanny Brice
As the musical Funny Girl is a sort-of biography of real-life Broadway star, film actress and comedienne Fanny Brice, I can find much more information about the character/the real life person.
Name: Fania Borach
Stage Name: Fanny/Fannie Brice
Born: October 29th, 1891.
Died: May 29th, 1951.
Spouse(s): Frank White (m. 1910 - 1913), Julius "Nicky" Arnstein (m. 1919- 1927), Billy Rose (m. 1929 - 1938)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Comedian, Singer, Theatre and Film Actress
Religious Views: Judaism
Political Views: Liberal Democrat
Best Known For: The Baby Shocks Show, a popular top-rated radio comedy series, as the creator and star.
Fanny Brice is an inspiring actress and comedienne who makes it in Broadway. With all her success she wants to focus on her personal life with Nick, even though people try and persuade her to not to. She's a determined young woman who has a clear idea of what she wants in life.
Now that I have fully explored the character of Fanny Brice and the musical Funny Girl I have many ideas on how I could perform her to the best of my ability and use the musical material in character with imaginative and inventive use of physical and vocal expression.
I chose this song because it's a challenge and I think I could really develop my singing skills and use the techniques we've been taught to perform this the best to my ability. As a singer, I have a strong voice, therefore, choosing a song with a strong character and voice was important to show off my skills and to be comfortable. I know there are parts which are going to be harder than others but I think with the right amount of practise and help this won't be a problem at all.
I think to really succeed in performing as a character you need to be fully aware and informed of the character and performing a musical theatre song is the easiest way to do this. I'm looking forward to my session with or lecturer next week to confirm my song choice and start practising it!
I have a full understanding of my character and what I can do to portray her through vocal and physical expression.
I haven't started really learning the song or practising it through in detail.
To begin learning the song and practising it fully through in detail, in preparation for my session with our lecturer next week by going over the lyrics and buying the sheet music.
This is was our first session for our new project "Auditioning" in the unit "Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers" where we will prepare and perform a solo piece. We began the first session by going through the project brief in detail.
I have written in detail what this project will consist of here:
http://singingskillssomer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/auditioning-monday-13th-january-2014.html
This was an independent session for us to start researching and practising our solo song choice.
For my solo song I will be singing the Barbra Streisand version of "Don't Rain On My Parade" from the musical Funny Girl.
Funny Girl is a Broadway and West End musical first performed in 1964 (Broadway) and 1966 (West End). The book was written by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merill. The musical was based on the life and career of Fanny Brice, a Broadway and film star and comedienne, and her stormy relationship with Nick Arnstein, a entrepreneur and gambler.
The musical starred Barbra Streisand and was produced by Roy Stark who was Fanny Brice's son-in-law via his marriage to Brice's daughter, Frances. The production was nominated for eight Tony Awards but didn't win any of the categories through face competition with the musical Hello, Dolly!.
Funny Girl is set in and around New York City just prior to and following World War One. Fanny Brice, Ziegfeld Follies star, is awaiting the return of her husband, Nick Arnstein, from prison. She starts reflecting on their life together and the story is told in the form of a flashback.
The first act shows Fanny as a stage-struck teen getting her first job in vaudeville. Fanny's mother and her friend Mrs. Strakosh try to persuade her not to become involved with show business as Fanny isn't society's definition of typical beauty. Fanny continues her journey in show business and is encouraged and helped by a dancer she meets in the vaudeville shows, Eddie Ryan. Fanny's career begins to take off and Eddie and Mrs. Brice complain that Fanny will soon forget about them once Fanny is on Broadway. Fanny performers a number in the Follies but instead of performing it romantically, she turns in into a classic comic routine, ending the number as a pregnant bride.
Fanny Brice meets Nick Arnstein, a sophisticated and handsome young man. Fanny and Nick attend Fanny's mother's opening nice party on "Henry Street". Fanny soon falls in love with Nick but acknowledges their complex vulnerabilities. Fanny and Nick meet in Baltimore for a date, after having a private dinner at a swanky restaurant, Fanny and Nick declare their feelings. Fanny reveals she is determined to marry Nick regardless of his gambling past.
Fanny and Nick marry and move to a mansion on Long Island. Whilst this happens, Mrs. Strakosh and Eddie propose to Mrs. Brice about finding a man to marry, now that Fanny is supporting her. Fanny has succeeded in becoming a major star with Ziegfield and the Follies. Nick wants Ziegfield to invest in a gambling casino but Ziegfield passes, Fanny then insist on investing. The gambling casino fails and both Nick and Fanny lose money, Fanny tries to act positive but Nick gets involved with a shady bond deal and is arrested for embezzlement. Although Fanny feels helpless, her loves is now stronger than it was ever before.
In the present, Fanny is awaiting Nick's arrival from prison and reflects not he situation. When Nick arrives, he and Fanny decide to separate. Fanny is heartbroken but resolves to pick up her life again.
By doing this initial research of the musical Funny Girl I now have a better understanding of what I can do for the characteristics and physical and vocal expression of this song.
"Don't Rain On My Parade" comes in the first act of the play and is sung by Fanny Brice. Fanny's train is about to leave to go on to Chicago, at the end of the Baltimore run, Nick needs to catch a train to New York and then head to Europe. Nick admits to Fanny he loves her and suggests them getting married, but he wants to have a fortune before he does. Spontaneously, Fanny decides to leave the tour and follow Nick to New York. Eddie tries to visit and talks her our of it, Ziegfield tries as well but Fanny is set on following Nick. Fanny has succeeded in show business and now wants to focus on her personal life as well. Eddies tries to advise her one more time and she starts singing "Don't Rain On My Parade".
The lyrics to "Don't Rain On My Parade":
Funny Girl is a Broadway and West End musical first performed in 1964 (Broadway) and 1966 (West End). The book was written by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merill. The musical was based on the life and career of Fanny Brice, a Broadway and film star and comedienne, and her stormy relationship with Nick Arnstein, a entrepreneur and gambler.
The musical starred Barbra Streisand and was produced by Roy Stark who was Fanny Brice's son-in-law via his marriage to Brice's daughter, Frances. The production was nominated for eight Tony Awards but didn't win any of the categories through face competition with the musical Hello, Dolly!.
Funny Girl is set in and around New York City just prior to and following World War One. Fanny Brice, Ziegfeld Follies star, is awaiting the return of her husband, Nick Arnstein, from prison. She starts reflecting on their life together and the story is told in the form of a flashback.
The first act shows Fanny as a stage-struck teen getting her first job in vaudeville. Fanny's mother and her friend Mrs. Strakosh try to persuade her not to become involved with show business as Fanny isn't society's definition of typical beauty. Fanny continues her journey in show business and is encouraged and helped by a dancer she meets in the vaudeville shows, Eddie Ryan. Fanny's career begins to take off and Eddie and Mrs. Brice complain that Fanny will soon forget about them once Fanny is on Broadway. Fanny performers a number in the Follies but instead of performing it romantically, she turns in into a classic comic routine, ending the number as a pregnant bride.
Fanny Brice meets Nick Arnstein, a sophisticated and handsome young man. Fanny and Nick attend Fanny's mother's opening nice party on "Henry Street". Fanny soon falls in love with Nick but acknowledges their complex vulnerabilities. Fanny and Nick meet in Baltimore for a date, after having a private dinner at a swanky restaurant, Fanny and Nick declare their feelings. Fanny reveals she is determined to marry Nick regardless of his gambling past.
Fanny and Nick marry and move to a mansion on Long Island. Whilst this happens, Mrs. Strakosh and Eddie propose to Mrs. Brice about finding a man to marry, now that Fanny is supporting her. Fanny has succeeded in becoming a major star with Ziegfield and the Follies. Nick wants Ziegfield to invest in a gambling casino but Ziegfield passes, Fanny then insist on investing. The gambling casino fails and both Nick and Fanny lose money, Fanny tries to act positive but Nick gets involved with a shady bond deal and is arrested for embezzlement. Although Fanny feels helpless, her loves is now stronger than it was ever before.
In the present, Fanny is awaiting Nick's arrival from prison and reflects not he situation. When Nick arrives, he and Fanny decide to separate. Fanny is heartbroken but resolves to pick up her life again.
By doing this initial research of the musical Funny Girl I now have a better understanding of what I can do for the characteristics and physical and vocal expression of this song.
"Don't Rain On My Parade" comes in the first act of the play and is sung by Fanny Brice. Fanny's train is about to leave to go on to Chicago, at the end of the Baltimore run, Nick needs to catch a train to New York and then head to Europe. Nick admits to Fanny he loves her and suggests them getting married, but he wants to have a fortune before he does. Spontaneously, Fanny decides to leave the tour and follow Nick to New York. Eddie tries to visit and talks her our of it, Ziegfield tries as well but Fanny is set on following Nick. Fanny has succeeded in show business and now wants to focus on her personal life as well. Eddies tries to advise her one more time and she starts singing "Don't Rain On My Parade".
The lyrics to "Don't Rain On My Parade":
"Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter,
Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter,
Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade,
Don't tell me not to fly, I simply got to,
If someones takes a spill, it's me and not you,
Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade,
I'll march my band out, I'll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir,
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir,
I guess I didn't make it,
But whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection,
A freckle on the nose of life's complexion,
The cinder or the shiny apple of its eyes,
I gotta fly once, I gotta try once,
Only can die one, right, sir?
Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see,
I gotta have my bite, sir.
Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer",
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer,
Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade.
I'm gonna live and live NOW!
Get what I want, I know how!
One roll for the whole shebang!
One throw that bell will go clang,
Eye on the target and wham,
One shot, one gun shot and bam!
Hey, Mr Arnstein, here I am...
I'll march my band out, I will beat my drum,
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir,
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir,
I guess I didn't make it,
Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer",
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer,
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!"
The original song:
During this song Fanny is telling Eddie that she is frustrated over how people think they can control her life and tell her what to do. Fanny is finally happy with someone, Nick, and wants to spend more time with him but people are trying to make decisions for her. The phrase "Don't Rain On My Parade" means don't spoil or ruin my happiness.
Fanny also mentions how when she succeeds it's thanks to everyone around her but when she fails it's her own fault "If someone takes a spill, it's me and not you!".
Fanny mentions the challenge of her own mother's doubt in her and her appearance, she doesn't doubt herself but she isn't big headed, she knows she has succeeded which she is thankful for but now she wants to live her life. She believes that she is a "comer" someone who will succeed, and sometimes she's the only one who believes this.
Her success is down to her confidence and self motivation "eye on the target". She's presenting herself to Nick "Mr Arnstein, here I am..." because this is the real and raw version of her. She's everything she wants to be and wants to do, no one can stop that.
She reinforces that she won't allow anyone to spoil her happiness "Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!". Fanny is a strong character and is willing to leave her career to be happy in her personal life.
The main themes of this song are passion, love, frustration and independency. By exploring the lyrics and the background to the song I can emphasise this themes through my performance. With this understanding of the song, hopefully I can later adapt a similar frame of mind to Fanny to produce a realistic portrayal and a performance an audience would find interesting to watch through the beginning exploration of the musicality of Fanny Brice.
Character Profile of Fanny Brice
As the musical Funny Girl is a sort-of biography of real-life Broadway star, film actress and comedienne Fanny Brice, I can find much more information about the character/the real life person.
Name: Fania Borach
Stage Name: Fanny/Fannie Brice
Born: October 29th, 1891.
Died: May 29th, 1951.
Spouse(s): Frank White (m. 1910 - 1913), Julius "Nicky" Arnstein (m. 1919- 1927), Billy Rose (m. 1929 - 1938)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Comedian, Singer, Theatre and Film Actress
Religious Views: Judaism
Political Views: Liberal Democrat
Best Known For: The Baby Shocks Show, a popular top-rated radio comedy series, as the creator and star.
Fanny Brice is an inspiring actress and comedienne who makes it in Broadway. With all her success she wants to focus on her personal life with Nick, even though people try and persuade her to not to. She's a determined young woman who has a clear idea of what she wants in life.
Now that I have fully explored the character of Fanny Brice and the musical Funny Girl I have many ideas on how I could perform her to the best of my ability and use the musical material in character with imaginative and inventive use of physical and vocal expression.
I chose this song because it's a challenge and I think I could really develop my singing skills and use the techniques we've been taught to perform this the best to my ability. As a singer, I have a strong voice, therefore, choosing a song with a strong character and voice was important to show off my skills and to be comfortable. I know there are parts which are going to be harder than others but I think with the right amount of practise and help this won't be a problem at all.
I think to really succeed in performing as a character you need to be fully aware and informed of the character and performing a musical theatre song is the easiest way to do this. I'm looking forward to my session with or lecturer next week to confirm my song choice and start practising it!
I have a full understanding of my character and what I can do to portray her through vocal and physical expression.
I haven't started really learning the song or practising it through in detail.
To begin learning the song and practising it fully through in detail, in preparation for my session with our lecturer next week by going over the lyrics and buying the sheet music.
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