Fanny (play)

Fanny is a 1954 stage musical with a book by S.N. Behrman and Joshua Logan, and music and lyrics by Harold Rome. It is based on Marcel Pagnol's Marius trilogy (plays Marius, Fanny, and César).

The story is set in Marseille, France, and centers on Fanny, a beautiful young woman who works at her mother's fish stall. Marius, the son of César, owner of a waterfront bar, is deeply attracted to Fanny but longs for a life of adventure at sea. When Fanny discovers she is pregnant by Marius, who has sailed away, she is persuaded to marry Honoré Panisse, a wealthy older widower, in order to provide for her child. The musical explores themes of love, duty, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships.

The original Broadway production opened at the Majestic Theatre on November 4, 1954, and ran for 888 performances. It starred Florence Henderson as Fanny, Ezio Pinza as César, and William Tabbert as Marius. It was nominated for several Tony Awards, winning two: Best Actor in a Musical (Ezio Pinza) and Best Choreography.

Fanny has been revived several times, including a 1955 West End production and a 2006 production at the City Center Encores! series in New York. The musical's score includes popular songs such as "Fanny," "Love Is a Very Light Thing," and "Welcome Home." While the musical Fanny is more widely known than Pagnol's original plays outside of France, the plays remain significant works of French literature and cinema.