Fanny

Fanny features music and lyrics by Harold Rome along with book by S. N. Behrman and Joshua Logan. The plot follows a tale of passion, secrets and intrigue set around the port of Marseille in France. The show was one of Rome’s most successful musicals of the period, and has been revived a number of times by different regional companies and fringe groups. The show starred Ezio Pinza who had previously captivated audiences in South Pacific, and the original production ran for a solid 2 years.

fanny

Harold Rome

Harold Rome

Adapted for the stage by Joshua Logan and S.N. Behrman

Marcel Pagnol’s French film trilogy, “Marius, Panisse and Fanny”

David Merrick & Joshua Logan

Joshua Logan

Helen Tamiris

Productions
Fanny Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Majestic Theatre, Belasco Theatre - Opened 4 Nov 1954, closed 16 Dec 1956, 888 performances

Cast: Ezio Pinza, Walter Slezak, Florence Henderson, William Tabbert, Nejla Ates, Gerald Price & Alan Carney

Fanny Original London

Original London Production

Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Opened 1 Jan 1956, closed 1 Jan 1970

Fanny London Revival

London Revival

Sadler's Wells - Opened 1 Jan 2005, closed 1 Jan 1970

Fanny Encores Revival

New York Concert Revival

Encore! City Center - Opened 4 Feb 2010, closed 7 Feb 2010



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

In Marseille, teenaged lovers Fanny and Marius are encouraged to marry by Marius’ tavern-keeper father Cesar, who hopes his son will follow in his footsteps. Marius loves Fanny, but wants the chance to leave the town for an adventure and longs for a life at sea. Cesar is furious and disowns Marius. Fanny, however, understands and allows him to go, though their passionate farewell almost makes him change his mind. After he leaves, she discovers she is pregnant with his child.

An older, wealthy man in the town, Panisse, has previously tried to marry Fanny, but she formerly spurned his advances. Desperate to avoid a scandal, she now approaches him, and he agrees to marry her. He is moreover thrilled at the prospect of a son and decides to raise him as his own, hoping he will one day take over his sail-making business. The child is indeed a boy and named Cesario.

Panisse and Cesar are good friends and look after Cesario after he is born. On the boy’s first birthday, Marius returns suddenly and attempts to claim Fanny and Cesario. Fanny is unable to refuse him outright, but Cesar manages to run him out of town.

Twelve years later, Cesario is now an adolescent and longs to be a sailor like his father before him. He runs away to find Marius at sea, and Parnisse, heartbroken at losing Cesario, retreats to his deathbed. Marius brings Cesario back home, and Parnisse’s dying wish is for Marius and Fanny to be together at last.

Songs

Act I

  • Overture
  • Octopus Song
  • Restless Heart
  • Never Too Late For Love
  • Cold Cream Jar Song
  • Why Be Afraid To Dance?
  • Shika, Shika
  • Welcome Home
  • I Like You
  • I Have To Tell You
  • Fanny
  • Panisse And Son
  • Wedding Dance
Act II
  • Finale Act 1
  • Birthday Song
  • To My Wife
  • Thought Of You, The
  • Love Is A Very Light Thing
  • Other Hands, Other Hearts
  • Montage
  • Be Kind To Your Parents
Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

1 thought on “Fanny

  1. Nino Pantano

    I saw Fanny with the original cast in February 1955(I was 19 at the time) ,all of whom were excellent. Ezio Pinza was truly magnificent singing, dancing and acting with sublime warmth and largesse.Walter Slezak, Florence Henderson and William Tabbert were part of a talented and touching tapestry of players.The Ed Sullivan show had the cast on twice.
    I also saw the show with the second cast ,Lawrence Tibbett in the Pinza role,Billy Gilbert as Panisse,June Roselle as Fanny and Jack Washburn as Marius they were good but lacked the magic of the originals.
    This wonderful show deserves a revival.
    The film with Chevalier ,Boyer Horst Bucholtz and Leslie Caron ,featuring Baccaloni was great but the score was background music and nothing was sung .I wish I could go back in time and see this beautiful show again. The film as well. As for Ezio pinza-we will never see his like again.What a voice!
    Nino Pantano

    Reply

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