Theatre District, March 10th 2022

Jordan is in a backwards version of Funny Girl. Broadway has broaden its limits. The musical is almost similar to the original. The "You Are Woman, I Am Man" musical number was cut. And the role of "Fanny Brice" is now called Franny Brice.

The show is in its second week, at "Imperial Theatre". Jordan is performing the "Don't Rain On My Parade" musical number. The director found the solution to the long problem in this number. Nobody could put a boat on stage. Either because of transitions or because of its difficulty to handle. This director chose to project a boat in the sea and there's a stair unit that leads to the boat. After "Don't Rain On My Parade", that is the closing number of the first act. I go to my dressing room and Roderick enters, along with the director.

Director – This was the best first act you have performed.

Director – Truly amazing how you can outdo yourself.

Jordan – Thank you Julien.

Director – Now you have to convey a lot of emotions.

Director – All of them connected to love and heartbreak. I know you can handle it.

Director – But I'm still anxious about your performance in "My Man".

Jordan – Julien, there's nothing to worry about. I can do it.

Jordan – I have my tricks.

Director – I just want you to be amazing.

Jordan – I will.

Roderick – Just a question! Wasn't the "My Man" musical number in the movie version?

Roderick – I've never watched it on the broadway version.

Director - Yes it was.

Director – But we had to cut "You Are Woman, I Am Man" because it wouldn't work in this production.

Director – We also cut the "The Music That Makes Me Dance", and "Who Are You Now" and replaced them with "My Man".

Roderick – Alright. Now I see.

Jordan – Could you two give me some time to be alone.

Jordan – I have to give a pep-talk to myself and I have to change costumes.

Director – Sure. Break a leg.

Roderick – I'll be on the audience, dear.

Jordan – Thank you.

Julien and Roderick leave my dressing room.

I look to the mirror and see my face. I'm pleased with it.

I found it funny that they made me use a prosthetic nose.

Because "Fanny Brice" is jewish and jewish people have big noses.

It's a bit stereotypical but they wanted that way. And I couldn't change their minds about that.

The words that the director said to me are echoing and running through my mind.

I have to convey love and heartbreak. How much love did "Fanny" felt for "Nicky Arnstein".

How did she felt when they agreed to separate from each other but still with love in their hearts.

I remember the first time I met Roderick. We bumped in the school library.

He had a sci-fi book in his hands and I had the "Hamlet" book on mine.

It was love at first sight. I mean I was starstruck by his eyes and his voluptuous lips.

He then apologized for our bump. But I was just too caught up for him.

Then with time I was visiting the library on purpose just to see him there.

I always loved books but this pushed me even harder to visit the school's library.

We fell in love. We would sit together and discuss books.

We would review books together and read each other's favorite books.

And I had this feeling that we was straight but he seemed bi-curious at the same time.

So I never took a step further. I had to watch him love other people.

Only girls. One after another. He was kind of a womanizer too.

While I was in love with him but never was sure if it was just something my mind created.

I look at one picture of us that is in the left inferior side of the mirror and I cry.

A bittersweet cry.

And I finally got the emotion I have to convey in this second act.

I start to change my costumes. I hear a knock on the door.

Jordan – Just a minute.

I dress myself so I can be more presentable to people.

Jordan – Come in.

A tech member opens the door and stands by it.

Tech member – You have to go onstage now Mr. Wright.

Jordan – Sure. I'm ready, let's go Susan.

Susan leads me to the left stage and I enter as "Franny".

Franny is now a big star with "Ziegfield" and the "Follies".

So I have to sing a musical number that conveys that event. That is "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat".

The musical goes on. And shows "Franny" in the present.

All of those musical numbers before were conveying his life and rise to fame.

But now Franny is waiting for "Nicky Arnstein" to come back from prison so they can talk.

They express their love for each other but agree that with all the gambling problems that "Nicky" made.

It's better for them to separate.

Which leads to me singing "My Man" as he goes away.

I'm dressed in an all black suit and with a really heartbreak look.

I spot Roderick in the audience so I intensify the feelings without overacting.

In my mind the images of what happened in Los Angeles train station are flashing by. And it leads me to tears.

Everybody claps. Roderick is in the front row and he looks at me with tears.

He is moved by my performance.

I get out of the stage and have to change my outfit again.

Now I have to wear a fur long coat.

Similar to the one Barbra Streisand wore on the movie and delivered the famous line "Hello Gorgeous".

It's the finale.

Now Franny is really devastated by the end of his relationship with "Nicky" and so I have to reprise "Don't Rain On My Parade".

As a despair, kind of anthem for a new path musical number.

The set is changed to Franny's dressing room.

The musical ends. Everybody cheers and applauds.

I've done it once more. Nailed it.

I'm not being cocky but shouldn't I be able to know that I did good?!

I'm not flaunting it. I'm just stating it to myself.

Me and the rest of the cast come together to the stage to do our curtain call.

P.S.: Funny Guy lasted for six months on Broadway. Jordan never got tired of doing the same because he never did the same.

He always upgraded his performance even though everyone though it wasn't possible.

Jordan got the title of Broadway baby.

New York loved him for his acting, Broadway directors and producers liked him because he was easy to work with.