Act I
Backstage in her dressing room at the New Amsterdam Theatre, where she is a reigning Ziegfeld star, Fanny Brice sits thoughtfully at her dressing table. Her husband, Nick Arnstein, will soon come home after serving a prison sentence, and she must make a decision about their future. As she ponders her decision, the sights and sounds of her past come back to her.
On New York City's Lower East Side, adolescent Fanny is awkward and unattractive, but fiercely determined to be a star. Her mother and a neighbor try to dissuade her from entering show business ("If A Girl Isn't Pretty") but Fanny persists and overwhelms a vaudeville hoofer with her unshakable self-confidence ("I'm The Greatest Star"). The dancer, Eddie Ryan, coaches her in singing and dancing, and soon she is wowing vaudeville audiences ("Cornet Man"). Mrs. Brice and Eddie take credit for Fanny's success ("Who Taught Her Everything?")
Nick Arnstein, an elegant and well-dressed gentleman, visits Fanny's dressing room after the show. Though she is clearly attracted to him, Fanny is interrupted by a telegram from producer Flo Ziegfeld, who offers her a spot in his current Follies. Fanny is a hit in her first Ziegfeld appearance ("His Love Makes Me Beautiful"). Nick offers to celebrate with Fanny in style ("I Want To Be Seen With You Tonight"), but they wind up at Mrs. Brice's opening-night block party instead ("Henry Street"). At the party, Nick and Fanny share their desires and vulnerabilities ("People").
Some months later, in Baltimore, Nick invites Fanny to a private dinner at an exclusive restaurant ("You Are Woman") and Fanny is smitten. At the railroad station where the Follies company plans to board a train for Chicago, Fanny decides to leave the company and join Nick on a train bound for New York. Seeing a chance for true happiness, she refuses to let anything stand in her way ("Don't Rain on My Parade").
Act II
Fanny and Nick get married and move into a mansion on Long Island ("Sadie, Sadie"). Now that Fanny is independent, Mrs. Strakosh and Eddie tell Mrs. Brice to "Find Yourself A Man." During rehearsals of a new Follies ("Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat"), Nick approaches Ziegfeld backstage about investing money in a Florida gambling casino. Ziegfeld declines, but Fanny insists on putting up the necessary capital. When Nick's casino venture fails, Fanny tries to treat the bad news lightly ("Who Are You Now?"), but Nick becomes incensed. Out of desperation, he gets involved in a shady bond deal, and is soon arrested for embezzlement. Fanny, feeling helpless, nonetheless affirms her love for Nick ("The Music That Makes Me Dance").
Back in Fanny's dressing room, in the present, Nick enters. Nick and Fanny still love each other deeply, but they realize their marriage can only bring them unhappiness. Reluctantly, they part. Alone once again, Fanny courageously resolves to get on with her life ("Don't Rain On My Parade - Reprise").
Principals
(3 female; 3 male)
Fanny Brice
Nick Arnstein
Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.
Mrs. Brice
Mrs. Strakosh
Eddie Ryan
Supporting
Ziegfeld Tenor
Jenny
Speaking Roles
(In order of appearance)
John, Stage Manager
Emma
Mrs. Meeker
Mrs. O’Malley
Tom Keeney
Heckie
Workmen
Snub Taylor
Trombone Smitty
Five Finger Finney
Trumpet Soloist
Bubbles
Polly
Maude
Two Showgirls
Stage Director
Mimsey
Jody, Ziegfeld Lead Dancer
Adolph
Mrs. Nadler
Paul
Cathy
Vera
Ben
Mr. Renaldi
Ensemble
Showgirls, Singers, Dancers