BWW Interviews: Nashville's FUNNY Fannys - Lindsay Terrizzi Hess

 

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. But, somehow, things offstage seem to be going swimmingly at rehearsals; meanwhile we attempt to ferret out any backstabbing and catfights - and despite our best efforts to uncover any nefarious goings-on (when offstage, they're apparently gathered around a campfire singing "Kumbaya"), we haven't dug up any dirt...YET! Maybe we can get today's Fanny to squeal. She's Lindsay Terrizzi Hess, who looks so much like Fanny Brice you'll do a double-take! What's on her mind?

Inquiring minds want to know: Where are you from? I am from Erie, Pennsylvania.

What song will you entertain us with in Funny Girl In Concert? I sing "You Are Woman, I Am Man," which doesn't really sound right, ha ha!

Oh, my sides! Stop making me laugh so hard...what are your three favorite onstage in Nashville roles? My three favorite Nashville roles are Logainne in The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Georgie in The Full Monty and myself in Against Type, a one woman show I wrote and performed first in new York and then with Tennessee Women's Theater Project a few years ago.

What funny women inspire you? Hmm. I have a few favorites! It may sound cliche but I love Barbra. Carol Burnett and Bette Midler.

Okay, so all you Funny Fannys are just part of one big lovefest...which would do you like best? C'mon, we need some dirt! I think each of these women are amazing and am thrilled to be working with them all, but I love working with the beautiful and talented Erica Haines Cantrell, a close personal friend, and I am really excited to work alongside Heather Trabucco who seems like such an amazing lady!

Nice way to skirt the question; what's the funniest thing you've ever done (extra points for something juicy)? Well, I'm a pretty funny girl, so it's hard to pick just one. But once while I was in college a friend and I maxi-padded a guy's car on April Fool's Day. I got away unscathed, my friend got tossed in the snow, ha! Then there was the time when I was in high school and decided to sing "On My Own" (the techno version) for an audition at our local theater, complete with choreography! It was hard to get through it with a straight face.

What's your favorite funny movie or TV show? My favorite funny movie is pretty much anything with Steve Martin! I love The Jerk and Father of the Bride. I also love What About Bob and Hot Fuzz! My favorite funny TV show is Seinfeld and the short-lived Ellen.

Pick your favorite funny play or musical...Go! Oh, there are so many, but I would have to say Avenue Q. It's just so darned clever!

Okay, just one more question: Who's your favorite critic? Hello? Are you there? Did she just hang up on me?

- Funny Girl in Concert. Music and lyrics by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. Book by Isobel Lennart. Directed by Scott Logsdon. Musical direction by Jamey Green. Choreographed by Laurie Gregoire. Presented by Keeping Scores Concerts at Boiler Room Theatre, Franklin. For reservations, call the box office at (615) 794-7744.

Photo of Lindsay Terrizzi Hess by Rick Malkin