Beanie’s Last Performance 9/25 — Page 4

Auggie27 said: "I saw her two weeks ago, and felt the projected need to root for her. The way you do watching a stock production wherein a TV personality takes on a stage role with forethought, skill, and above all else, good intentions. I wasn't troubled by her singing per se, which has nice notes - “Who Are You Now?” - some power moments - “Parade” - aided by the soundboard. I felt I was being asked to buy into the conceptual fact of her casting, her performance in this venue, Broadway. So I kept leaning forward with that "is this the moment when she seals the deal?" expectation. In other words, I didn't sit in the dark house, hands across my chest, waiting for failure. I waited to be surprised. Sincerely.

When the performance's workmanlike okay-ness coasted on -- marred by Mayer encouraging some unappealing clowning (that roll downstage in an ill-chosen costume) -- the show's seams showed, the second act's structural monotony and reliance on snippets of reprises to cue emotions sinking it.

Feldstein's problem is that she can't deliver this vehicle as a vehicle. And once that becomes clear, the whole endeavor charging premium prices begins to implode. This star is never "bad" or embarrassing, moments of clowning excesses aside. But she can't make a case for Funny Girl to be happening. That, to me, is the fundamental problem baked into the DNA of this revival."

Perfectly said! I think the anger is that we all knew on paper she was not the right fit for the role and how the producers and director didn’t know is baffling.

SouthernCakes said" Perfectly said! I think the anger is that we all knew on paper she was not the right fit for the role and how the producers and director didn’t know is baffling."

I do wonder, in the production's defense, if she was a smart choice from whatever audition process or creative process was involved in her casting. In all honesty, you never really know how any actor is going to fare in a role until its on its legs and possibly too late to change. And every promising star actor had a production that took a chance on them to deliver a lead performance. For many, they deliver and become bigger stars.

Beanie is clearly a dynamic talent who can sing. She can do comedy and is really likeable. She's been a sweet media "it" girl for a while now. She appeared eager to challenge herself and take on the role. There are great "bones" to work with. Maybe the creative team pinned their hopes on greater gains based on her talent, drive and commitment. Those hopes never materialized. Even with all her hard work, committed actions and kindness to the company, she was never able to deliver the "star" performance to sell this vehicle. If she had it would have truly been a happening and a revelation. That is what is so sad about it-it tanked the production.

But I imagine the producers had great faith her in abilities and their ability to meld them.

Popular said: "So we’re just ignoring the fact that Paul Wontorek tweeted out gossip before any official announcement was made? Kind of tacky, he should know better. I’ll expect this post to be deleted by the mods in 3,2,1…"

That’s why I think there’s no way Lea is actually taking over. He’d burn so many bridges by doing that.



There’s no credible source behind the Michele rumor. Just a lot of people who think it’s a funny idea and wanting to believe it’s true.

“

Tacky either way to be participating in the gossip being in his positions. I don’t see the humor, there are real people and feelings being what we see as just fun speculation. I made my own “wish list” for Jane’s replacement but that was already a planned exit with little talk surrounding it."



Literally WHAT are you talking about? Whose feelings is he hurting? I also didn’t take his post as gossip or a rumor…just that he’d like to see Lea Michele take over. There is literally no malice or gossip in that…everyone else is projecting that onto it because they’re just so hungry for an actual rumor.

Don't know if this article from Roger Friedman has already been mentioned but WTF is he talking about? I know he's the king of bad gossip but this is REALLY grasping at straws.

"This past Sunday, Lea Michele was a hit on the Tony Awards during the “Spring Awakening” reunion. She was really given the spotlight, and hit a home run. The Tonys appearance was either because her deal was already done, or because producers were waiting to see how Michele would be received. It was all ‘thumbs up.’"

A hit? She was part of a group performance! She also said a couple of words from a teleprompter! She was fine!

I thought the people who showed the most class were folks like Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waite sitting front row center, and they didn't get up and claw out the eyes of a known white supremacist.

Twitter has this idea that the star has been “chased out” of the role. Reality check: September 25th isn't exactly next week, or next month. 14 weeks is a long "chase" out of a production. For many stars, that’s an entire contractual commitment.

From some responses in social media, it sounds as if she's been forced to give her last handful of performances. An entire summer of Feldstein Fannys await anyone who wishes to attend, and in this still challenging Broadway season, an entire summer isn't exactly a short run.

Updated On: 6/17/22 at 06:37 PM

Popular said: "Speculation is fine and human nature. It comes off different when it’s done by someone of Paul’s positions and status within the Broadway community. I stand by my OPINION that it’s in poor taste, and maybe hurtful, coming from him specifically. I have made no comment of other people speculating."

He runs Broadway.com- he’s hardly someone who needs to conceal his opinions on who he’d like to see take over a role when an actor has announced their departure. It’s not like he called Feldstein untalented.

Updated On: 6/17/22 at 08:21 PM

Honestly I'm not seeing a lot of hate for Leah Michele on Twitter. People seem super into it.

Maybe her BFF Ben Platt will finally see her in the show as he wasn't at the opening!

[nevermind. Deleted.]

Updated On: 6/17/22 at 09:18 PM

hearthemsing22 said: "So strange that based on all of this speculation, mere speculation, an actual article has come out saying Lea Michele will replace Beanie. I will not believe anything until Playbill or another credible source announces it. I don’t think this website is a credible source…



https://www.showbiz411.com/2022/06/16/broadway-exclusive-funny-girl-insiders-are-saying-lea-michele-will-finally-be-fanny-brice

"

Not at all a credible source. This guy’s clickbait is riddled with typos and basic inaccuracies he doesn’t even bother to correct.