It’s funny.
Katerina McCrimmon was born a century and 1300 miles apart from Fanny Brice, whom she plays in the national touring production of Funny Girl, hitting BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre for a month-long engagement, starting Tue/30.
Yet, the Miami native with Cuban-American roots admits relating to the fierce determination of the Jewish comedian and singer who rose from burlesque dancer to Broadway star—a trajectory made famous in Jule Styne, Bob Merrill, and Isobel Lennart’s 1964 stage musical, Funny Girl, and subsequent 1968 film.
“It’s quite a parallel,” says McCrimmon, who feels blessed to sing such beloved show numbers as “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People” every night.
“I’ve always been fighting to make it this far. As an actor and growing up a kid in the Miami suburbs, the daughter of a teacher, I didn’t have the resources that other kids who live in New York have. So I was always fighting—and that’s who Fanny is. I relate to her tenacity to put herself out there without shame.”
McCrimmon is the latest actress to step into the iconic role, following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Barbra Streisand, Debbie Gibson, Beanie Feldstein, and Lea Michelle.
Since getting discovered by Marisa Tomei and cast as an understudy in the Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams’ The Rose Tattoo in 2019, McCrimmon has quickly risen through the ranks to become “the rose of sheer perfection” as the lead in Funny Girl, acting opposite acclaimed singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester, playing Mrs. Brice, and Stephen Mark Lukas, portraying love interest Nick Arnstein. Overseen by Tony-winning director Michael Mayer, the production boasts a revised book by Tony-winning playwright Harvey Fierstein.
Not one to “sit and putter,” McCrimmon—like Brice before her, who achieved worldwide fame as the singer of “My Man” and “Second Hand Rose”—is also wrapping up her first solo album, Holy Animals.
I spoke to the singer and actress about starring in Funny Girl, how she was destined to play Brice, and the “People” she finds hardest to perform for.
48 HILLS You’re following a long line of icons who’ve played this role. What’s it like for you to step into those shoes?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON Wow. Great question. I admire all of the women who have played Fanny Brice and Fanny Brice herself, of course, because she was such a great comedian and trailblazer for women in the industry.
Now that I get to play her, I respect the performances of Barbra Streisand, Lea Michele, and everybody else who has played her. I also know the only way to have fun is to make it my own. So I respectfully put their performances aside so they don’t influence my work.
I try to live truthfully on stage and listen, respond, and be goofy in my way. At this point, Fanny and I are the same person. It could be hard to put her away when I get home. She’s become such a part of me.
48 HILLS What’s different about this production of Funny Girl?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON We’ve made quite a few changes from the original productions. Harvey Fierstein made some edits to the book. Michael Mayer directed our production. He’s just this fabulous Tony-winning director making our moments vibrant, making the laughs louder.
Our cuts were for the best and our set is different from the Broadway production. We’ve made it a lot more traditional Broadway in a way that’s nostalgic and beautiful. And the music is always going to tug at your heartstrings.
48 HILLS When did you first become aware of Funny Girl?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON I watched the movie as a teenager. Funny enough, my high school boyfriend’s mother told me I would play this role. She sat me down one day and said, “You need to watch this because you’re gonna play this role one day.” So that was the first and only time I saw the movie.
It wasn’t a staple in my house. My family was not super artistic, so I didn’t grow up with that. But I saw the movie and thought, “Yeah, I see it. I do see it.”
I forgot about it and then the announcement came out that the Broadway revival was happening in 2022. I remember seeing that and thinking, “Oh, how cool. I would love to see that.” But I was working on another musical in New Jersey and forgot about it. Then I got the audition request for the tour and thought, “I guess I could play this role, huh?” The rest is history.
48 HILLS One of the more painful aspects of the story is how Fanny is repeatedly told that she’s not beautiful. What’s it like working in an industry where women must conform to beauty standards to succeed?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON It’s unfortunate. I’m witnessing women completely changing their faces to fit this mold. Now they all look the same. I feel like everybody is losing their original, natural, unique beauty. What made Barbra so special is that she was such a unique beauty, but beautiful nonetheless.
What’s so beautiful about Fanny’s story is that she was proud. She dealt with her troubles and learned to accept them over time. But that’s what’s so fun. I get to be kooky in this show with the gestures and faces I’m making that aren’t always glamorous or gorgeous. But they’re gorgeous in my way—the Fanny Brice way.
48 HILLS I saw some clips of you singing and you have such a beautiful voice. When did you know that you could sing?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON As early as five, I knew I could sing. So it’s always been a part of me.
48 HILLS Did you know it intrinsically or because people told you?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON I’ve always been pretty shy in that way. At family gatherings, my mom would beg me to sing and I would tell her, “No, I’m not like that. I don’t like showing off like that.”
But I remember my parents telling me that I was taking a bath as a little kid, and suddenly my dad could hear me humming or singing. He pulled my mom over to the door and said, “Hey, I think she’s got a voice.” So it was pretty early on that they knew that I had a little gift of my own.
I didn’t do my first musical until eight or nine because I didn’t even know that was possible. My dad was an English teacher and my mom was a stay-at-home mom—a simple family, like no arts in my life. It wasn’t until I saw my first musical, Madeline’s Christmas, on a field trip that I thought, “Is this what I’m meant to do?” I didn’t even know you could do that. I didn’t know what a play was. But all these girls my age were singing and dancing on stage, and I thought, “Oh, wait a minute. I could do that.” So ever since then, I haven’t stopped.
48 HILLS How did you overcome your shyness to become comfortable onstage?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON There’s a difference between performing for friends and family in intimate settings versus singing on stage. I feel more confident singing for three thousand people every night than I would if it was a room of four people asking me to sing. There’s a different switch that you turn on inside of you. I am not nervous about singing on stage and doing Funny Girl. But when it comes to singing for a tiny group of people, I’m shaking.
On one of our recent breaks, I hosted a house show where I invited 20 of my closest friends. They sat in my living room and I sang some of my folk songs. I had to close my eyes. My hands were shaking. I was so nervous to sing my music for just a small room of my close friends—way more than I would be when performing for three thousand people every night.
48 HILLS What’s next for you after this production? You have Holy Animals coming out.
KATERINA MCCRIMMON I plan to do some concerts in New York, showcasing who I am and talking about my life and tour experience. Here’s hoping the next thing is just as exciting. So fingers crossed, it’s something just as beautiful and fulfilling.
48 HILLS And you hope to have a career where you’re releasing more solo material while performing in theatrical shows?
KATERINA MCCRIMMON Sure. I’m open to acting in movies, TV, or theater, performing my original music, or singing in concerts. As long as I’m performing, I’m happy.
FUNNY GIRL Tue/30-May 26. Orpheum Theatre, SF. $55–$160. More info here.
