Dollypop said: "Wa e your little hand and whisper "So long Dearie""
Ok, but don't deny Beanie Feldstein was a scene stealer in Hello Dolly. I remember distinctly turning to the person sitting next to me during intermission and saying "I think she might need to be careful because she's upstaging Bette..." turns out it was Ms. Feldstein's aunt....
Not sure if this has any merit to it but Deuxmoi (a gossip site) just shared "Not sure if this is information you would care about but the cast of Funny Girl was told today that Beanie is being replaced by Lea Michelle in September... not officially announced yet"
They seem to be sometimes right about Broadway information (most recently with the Into the Woods transfer)
Emmeline Carter said: "Not sure if this has any merit to it but Deuxmoi (a gossip site) just shared "Not sure if this is information you would care about but the cast of Funny Girl was told today that Beanie is being replaced by Lea Michelle in September... not officially announced yet"
They seem to be sometimes right about Broadway information (most recently with the Into the Woods transfer)"
If Lea is looking for a way to rehabilitate her image and show some humility, this would be it. Be a replacement, endear herself to the cast, revive the show and not be a diva. It could do a lot for her is she is truly humble.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
bryan2 said: "Stealing a show from Bette what planet ?? All I remember from the 2 times I saw her in Hello Dollybwas her mouth open wide and eyes bugging out."
I second that. All I remember was her antics bugging the crap out of me and being relieved every time she exited. I actually think she is a better dramatic actress than comedian.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
There's no way a show of this size and budget was built on a 6 months contract.
But as Hogan said, contracts are made to be amended and all parties here are probably happy to change the status quo.
As much as I loved Benko's performance, I can't imagine the producers banking all their money on her. I'd bet she becomes an official Alternate 2 shows a week to another star they can sell tickets with. And there's a decent list we've all mentioned here.
bryan2 said: "Stealing a show from Bette what planet ?? All I remember from the 2 times I saw her in Hello Dollybwas her mouth open wide and eyes bugging out."
Beanie (and Jennifer Simard) were major highlights in a show full of highlights in Hello, Dolly! This may have not been the show for her, but that also doesn't discredit the good work she's already done.
Beanie was fine in Hello, Dolly! I certainly wouldn't call her a highlight, but she was fine. Not like there's much to that role anyway - it's hard to **** up or stand out. She did neither.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
The revisionist history that has taken place on this board in relation to Beanie is so insane and in such bad faith. She was WIDELY praised on this board as being a standout in Hello, Dolly! She and Taylor both were spoken of as scene stealers then. There was also much dismay over her replacement's performance when taking over as well. Now, because Beanie has one miscast moment, she should have never pursued performing.
Begging ya'll to step away from your keyboards and go touch some grass. It's nonsense at this point.
OhHiii said: "The revisionist history that has taken place on this board in relation to Beanie is so insane and in such bad faith. She was WIDELY praised on this board as being a standout in Hello, Dolly! She and Taylor both were spoken of as scene stealers then. There was also much dismay over her replacement's performance when taking over as well. Now, because Beanie has one miscast moment, she should have never pursued performing.
Begging ya'll to step away from your keyboards and go touch some grass. It's nonsense at this point."
Thank you for saying this! I distinctly remember reading all the Beanie accolades on here back in 2017. (I also thought she was absolutely hysterical in Dolly! — the role certainly isn't big enough for her to have gotten a Tony nom or anything, but she was a total standout.)
The Beanie pile-on that has been happening on these boards for the last several months is so obnoxious and annoying. Critique her performance as Fanny, by all means, but the aggressive criticisms of her have become over the top.
OhHiii said: "The revisionist history that has taken place on this board in relation to Beanie is so insane and in such bad faith."
I know this comment isn't directed only on me, but I'll just highlight that I'm only stating my opinion. In my opinion, Beanie's performance wasn't a standout in Hello, Dolly!
I loved that production - I went straight from a performance of Great Comet to stand outside the theatre to get Standing Room tickets so I could see Bette (and I had the great pleasure of meeting n2nbaby that night <3). I returned to see Bernadette take on the role and adored it. I thought Beanie was fine in the role. Her direction was similar to the girl who played Minnie Faye at my high school. I'm not saying she was bad - far from it, I wanted to go against a building narrative that Beanie was uniquely bad in the role! Perhaps it was too muggy for some people, but in the context of that production, it worked just fine.
And that's how I saw her performance: fine. And in the immortal words of Nene Leakes, "I said what I said and I'm not changing on it."
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
Can't speak for everyone, but for me, it was the fact that she has had a "leg up" in this industry and comes from a wealthy family. And the fact that it's been proven that there are more talented, better suited for the show performers, that this just feels like the world gets it.
Sally Durant Plummer said: "Beanie was fine in Hello, Dolly! I certainly wouldn't call her a highlight, but she was fine. Not like there's much to that role anyway - it's hard to **** up or stand out. She did neither."
I mean, that's why people come to see Broadway shows with insanely high ticket prices, right? For the "fine" performances by people?
How'z about Act I Lea Michele as the younger Fanny and ACT II Idina Menzel as Fanny Brice. Act I ends as usual with Don't Rain On My Parade and ACT II begins by backing up and beginning with Don't Rain On My Parade 2.0. Curtain call encore : My Man duet. Jus' sayin would prob' beat The Producers pairing in selling power.
Up In One said: "How'z about Act I Lea Michele as the younger Fanny and ACT II Idina Menzel as Fanny Brice. Act I ends as usual with Don't Rain On My Parade and ACT II begins by backing up and beginning with Don't Rain On My Parade 2.0. Curtain call encore : My Man duet. Jus' sayin would prob' beat The Producers pairing in selling power."
You know, I actually had that thought of what if they did a Cher Show-type situation of breaking it up into 2 or 3 Fannys. Obviously not something to try in a Broadway revival, and with a replacement no less; this is something to try in a workshop or out-of-town production. But could at least be interesting –– if not better –– to see how it might work. Might have even served Michael Mayer's more impressionistic take better.
Sally Durant Plummer said: "OhHiii said: "The revisionist history that has taken place on this board in relation to Beanie is so insane and in such bad faith."
I know this comment isn't directed only on me, but I'll just highlight that I'm only stating my opinion. In my opinion, Beanie's performance wasn't a standout in Hello, Dolly!
I loved that production - I went straight from a performance of Great Comet to stand outside the theatre to get Standing Room tickets so I could see Bette (and I had the great pleasure of meeting n2nbaby that night <3). I returned to see Bernadette take on the role and adored it. I thought Beanie was fine in the role. Her direction was similar to the girl who played Minnie Faye at my high school. I'm not saying she was bad - far from it, I wanted to go against a building narrative that Beanie was uniquely bad in the role! Perhaps it was too muggy for some people, but in the context of that production, it worked just fine.
And that's how I saw her performance: fine. And in the immortal words of Nene Leakes, "I said what I said and I'm not changing on it.""
Just putting out that I STILL talk about how lovely it was standing in the SRO line with you all night! <3
I did not say she was bad or horrible things n Hello Dolly. Just did not think she was memorable other than the mugging which I thought was over the top. Her replacement was fine , the people inwas with didn’t even notice her so that says a lot. I was basically saying that her performance was nothing Bette had to concern herself with .