Beanie’s Last Performance 9/25 — Page 8

 I feel really freaking sorry for Beanie, I really do. I think the social media and BWW discourse around her Funny Girl run has been truly toxic and just downright mean spirited. Not from everyone obviously, but many!  I don’t blame her for leaving earlier (if that is indeed the case) because these last few months must have been pretty dispiriting for her. This is not aimed at the people on here that have given honest review of the show and appraisal of her performance - I have zero issue with that - it’s those who have been actively rooting for her to fail and/or taken such glee in the more negative reviews of her performance that I haven’t liked.

As for her replacement, it feels like a poisoned chalice to me idk. Seems like Julie Benko is getting overpraised for effectively not being Beanie, and in any case, I really think they need more of a name to carry the show forward. I personally think Lea Michele would be perfect, and has the name recognition (and notoriety!) to put bums on seats, but people are ready to tear her down also. Not sure who else could do it. I’ve heard Rachel Bloom being mentioned but she’s not a great singer, and someone like Shoshana Bean (even if I can get over her OTT riffing lol) is maybe a bit old Fann, and also i’m not sure she has the comedic chops for the role.

Nothing but love for Julie Benko but this "beanie got the job based on her connections" snipe is just gonna march on, huh? Such ugly and ignorant pettiness. 

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Nothing but love for Julie Benko but this "beanie got the job based on her connections" snipe is just gonna march on, huh? Such ugly and ignorant pettiness."

In the industry it is now very well known the revival happened because Beanie wanted it.  Simply put. She didn’t get the job.  She had the job.  There was no audition.  The revival was mounted as a vehicle for her.  Yes, based on many factors most hoped for an explosive groundbreaking out-of-box Broadway revival but sadly, it didn’t turn out as hoped for.  It happens and has… countless times.  From someone who was involved with the revival during rehearsals, he said everyone (director, cast, creative team) was on such a cloud with how everything they were doing was “a revelation.”  This blurred vision is evident in the early press material that was released.  Its interesting watching these in hindsight.  Julie Benko is a seasoned Broadway performer.  FUNNY GIRL isn’t her first Broadway credit.  She understands the stage.  She’s not adapting her work to the stage.  I’ll leave it there.  
 

Watching this now is… foreboding.  I guess “Rat-Tat-Tat” was supposed to explode the roof off the August Wilson? Um, no sweetheart.  It didn’t.

While my first choice is Julie - she has shown her stuff and the role was made for her...

However, saw a few photos of Ramin and Sierra Boggess on his IG - looks like some kind of promotion for Love Never Dies. She should put her name in. Her belt isn't as strong as her soprano, but if you want someone who can sing, is funny and can act - let's not forget chemistry - would also be great box office. A non-reunion reunion.

I say this partly tongue in cheek, but why not?

I saw Donna Vivino in concert tonight in Ptown. She sang “Don’t Rain On My Parade.” She didn’t have to think about how to sing it (ala Beanie) so she was free to inhabit it. She brought all the feels and that was her performing it out of context. She was thrilling. She then proceeded to sing barn burners from various shows and nail money note after money note. 
 

That is why you cast trained singers. They train their whole life for a reason. To perform professionally and exceptionally consistently. 

Popular said: "Penna2 said: "While my first choice is Julie - she has shown her stuff and the role was made for her...

However, saw a few photos of Ramin and Sierra Boggess on his IG - looks like some kind of promotion for Love Never Dies. She should put her name in. Her belt isn't as strong as her soprano, but if you want someone who can sing, is funny and can act - let's not forget chemistry - would also be great box office. A non-reunion reunion.

I say this partly tongue in cheek, but why not?"

Because Fanny should be played by someone who identifies as Jewish. Period. If Andrea Martin wants to take over for Jane that is the only honorary Jew pass I will be handing out. This really shouldn’t require any explanation so I’m going to leave it at that."

Sierra is Jewish as I understand it, which is the only reason I even suggested it. Whether she makes it public knowledge or not or why, is something I don't know about. Only that a friend of mine, who follows all the actors and actresses who played in Phantom who are Jewish has Sierra on her list. When I mentioned it wasn't in her bio, she was surprised. A lot of actors and actresses are not listing a lot of things, including their birthdays now.  Sierra also recently did the Barry Manilow show Harmony - the cast was made up entirely of Jewish actors/actresses (I believe - don't quote me, but that was my take) and was performed in a synagogue. Sierra played the wife of a Rabbi.

I happen to agree with you 100% about Fanny being portrayed by a Jewish actress and have advocated for that since I began following this show.

Updated On: 6/23/22 at 12:25 AM

I honestly had no idea. If that’s true then it contradicts what comes up when searching her name + Jewish or + religion. I can understand why you’d suggest her if you’ve heard otherwise. I’ve come across Christian and even Buddhist and only mention of her playing a Jewish character. There was also an old post she retweeted back in 2013 “@RumiQuotes: I belong to no religion. My religion is love. Every heart is my temple. #Rumi” There shouldn’t be any question that Fanny is Jewish is my point, and I appreciate you sharing that sentiment."

I just mentioned it to another friend of mine who also follows Phantom, just to check what I wrote here. She said the same thing about wondering why she never mentions it, but also believes she is of Jewish descent. Her theory is Sierra is pretty much a secularist and not affiliated to any church or religion. BTW, I just did another search and came up with bupkis! Just the word of a couple of "Phans." There are cultural things that just can't be "acted." 

Doubt it will even be an issue. As I said first off, I think Julie is the perfect Fanny - she has a lot of the same moxie and is an enormous talent. I just worry that they will make yet another mistake with this show. Go with her. Bring in a "name" for Rosie. Andrea Martin (sure) - Fran Drescher - maybe?

 

Penna2 said: " Sierra also recently did the Barry Manilow show Harmony - the cast was made up entirely of Jewish actors/actresses (I believe - don't quote me, but that was my take) and was performed in a synagogue. Sierra played the wife of a Rabbi."

There is so much wrong with this statement.  The entire cast  was not Jewish.  The show was not performed in a synagogue but in the theater of a museum. Her character was marrying someone whose NICKNAME was Rabbi.  

Fran Drescher is the President of SAG now, I think she’ll be a bit occupied 

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Fran Drescher is the President of SAG now, I think she’ll be a bit occupied"

You DO know it’s not an office job with a parking spot for her out front.  Many actors who have been President did their duties while working on other projects full-time.

Also, congrats Beanie.  Now you can close that FUNNY GIRL chapter and move on with your personal life again.  It was a fun adventure and one thing off your Bucket List. 

BrodyFosse123 said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Nothing but love for Julie Benko but this "beanie got the job based on her connections" snipe is just gonna march on, huh? Such ugly and ignorant pettiness."

In the industry it is now very well known the revival happened because Beanie wanted it. Simply put. She didn’t get the job. She had the job. There was no audition. The revival was mounted as a vehicle for her. Yes, based on many factors most hoped for an explosive groundbreaking out-of-box Broadway revival but sadly, it didn’t turn out as hoped for. It happens and has… countless times. From someone who was involved with the revival during rehearsals, he said everyone (director, cast, creative team) was on such a cloud with how everything they were doing was “a revelation.” This blurred vision is evident in the early press material that was released. Its interesting watching these in hindsight. Julie Benko is a seasoned Broadway performer. FUNNY GIRL isn’t her first Broadway credit. She understands the stage. She’s not adapting her work to the stage. I’ll leave it there.


Watching this now is… foreboding. I guess “Rat-Tat-Tat” was supposed to explode the roof off the August Wilson? Um, no sweetheart. It didn’t.

"

Whew that video really is interesting to watch in hindsight and not just the Beanie stuff. Obviously you're always going to talk up a show before it opens but I really feel like the entire team believed they were doing something truly special and that didn't come to pass.

BrodyFosse123 said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "Fran Drescher is the President of SAG now, I think she’ll be a bit occupied"

You DO know it’s not an office job with a parking spot for her out front. Many actors who have been President did their duties while working on other projects full-time.

Also, congrats Beanie. Now you can close that FUNNY GIRL chapter and move on with your personal life again. It was a fun adventure and one thing off your Bucket List.
Perhaps someday YOU'LL also be able to "move on"??