FUNNY GIRL 2022 New Broadway Cast Recording Thread — Page 4

The Music That Makes Me Dance is superb. While the OBC version is of course magnificent, I prefer Lea's phrasing and the current arrangement with the faster tempo (3:02 vs 3:51). And the orchestration on the original version, while beautiful, was a bit distracting.

My God, this is glorious. What is it makes you so exquisite? Let me count the ways:

Lea sounds incredible, as do all the other principals. Ramin can step on me and I would still thank him. The entire orchestra is on top of their game. Styne and Merrill's late Golden Age score is the (greatest) star here; even the lesser-known numbers pack a punch. The album works much better without the cheap design, questionable directorial choices, and iffy book, especially in act two.

I will say that there is more of an effect for some of these numbers inside the August Wilson. The comedy of "His Love Makes Me Beautiful" and the stunningly realized bits of dialogue between Brice and Arnstein (and that kiss!) before the final chorus of "People" are missing here, for instance.

It feels refreshing to hear Lea sing her big songs without rowdy audience applause drowning out her money notes. "Cornet Man" is especially right in her wheelhouse.

Ramin sounds great, but he's even better live. I found it a bit weird that "Temporary Arrangement" begins here with "Hey, Mr. Arnstein... here's your ace" instead of starting from the beginning of the "pip with pizazz" motif as in the show: "Please, Fanny, don't hold too tight / Give me some air and some light...", and so on.

Tovah, Jared, and the ensemble do amazing work. "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" works better here, and I was finally able to decipher some of Lea's ridiculous "Private Schwartz" schtick. "Henry Street" and "Sadie, Sadie" hold the live edge. Justin Prescott's clever prop moment in the latter always gets a nice laugh: "The owner of an ice box... with a ten-year guarantee." It felt nice to hear the OG ensemblists in this revival, after I saw many swings go on a couple months ago.

All that's left to say is, wow. Wow, wow, wow. The Macy's parade on Thursday better start with Lea marching her band out and beating her drum.

I think they did mention a vinyl will be coming-January? I think?

WOW - number SIX on ITUNE top 200 charts.

Updated On: 11/18/22 at 02:26 PM

BrodyFosse123 said: "The almost-2 minute “Eddie’s Tap” track is pointless as this is an audio recording so his tap dancing can’t be seen, but I respect they wanted Grimes to have a record of his Tony Award nominated performance, even if we can’t see it."

I agree. I would have preferred they include the Entr’acte or curtain call music over the tap track. I understand they wanted to feature Grimes since he was Tony nominated* but it’s a track I’ll be skipping on repeated listenings.

*Thanks for the correction, BCfitasafiddle

Updated On: 11/18/22 at 03:05 PM

"Anyone saying she’s imitating Streisand is a total clueless idiot."

I completely agree. Before I saw her in the show, I figured that she may try to channel Barbra in her performance and mimic the OBCR, however she definitely created a character all her own, and it was quite impressive. I knew her vocals would be powerful, but was more blown away with the details and the care she took to create a different Fanny from all of her predecessors.

I would've loved the entr'acte, I'd Rather Be Blue, and exit music all recorded. But, oh well. Happy this recording exists at all.

This is a Tony winning performance. I know people disagreed with my thought that someone could solve the problem re: replacement Tony but I just don’t believe someone can’t solve this. It could be a special Tony or SOMETHING but the Tony awards should be about excellence on Broadway. If they can’t recognise this I do think something is wrong.

kidmanboy said: "There is still something missing in the musical direction of this show. Every performance I've seen of this production (Beanie in person, Julie Benko's public performances, and now this cast recording) there's a certain lyricism missing. Moments just don't seem to land. The place it is most apparent to me in this recording is "Don't Rain on My Parade". Lea has great tone - but the momentum doesn't build in the song the way it should - and by the end it is so rushed that she can barely get out "Nobody, no, nobody" before singing the end of the song while mostly staying on one note instead of alternating notes as written in the score.

Perhaps Rob Berman's into the woods has spoiled me, but as a presentation of the score, this recording really seems to be missing the mark."



Have to disagree as you're missing the mark.

Wowza! I have been following the "dramar" of this production from day one but have not seen the show. Never been a huge fan of Lea, but she more than delivers. This is a magnificent recording. Well done to all involved. This will be on my playlist for some time. Bravo!!

I just have to say that they made a big mistake of not including Cornet Man in the film version. That song is FIRE!

CarlosAlberto said: "Ask me why I was shimmying my way down 8th Avenue to the tune of Cornet Man. LOL"

I'm in another country right now but was doing the same while I was running errands around the city earlier lol. Cornet Man is definitely the surprising standout for me.