FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 14

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 10:35am

Most musicals are now refraining from posting those rehearsal performances they used to do for years.  Now in the age of social media and camera phones, producers are trying to “tease” and build anticipation.  FUNNY GIRL could have just shown some quick random tap dancing but they’re choosing to even hold that.  Scott Rudin created this “don’t show anything” concept, which has worked enormously with his past shows.  Even the TV spots for HELLO, DOLLY! used zero footage or photos - it was just text.  Someone will post the first preview curtain call of FUNNY GIRL on YouTube plus lots of audio clips will be posted on Twitter so the public will be getting their first taste this coming Saturday night.  Hold ya horses. 

[John Adams]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 12:17pm

In response to HELLO, DOLLY!, specifically, text only was definitely enough. The positive buzz might have been the same had only two words and an exclamation mark been used: MIDLER, DOLLY! 

I also recall how affectionate the praise was for Feldstein's work in Dolly! But casting Feldstein as Fanny in FUNNY GIRL is a completely different scenario than either Feldstein's work in Dolly!, or the choice to cast Midler as Dolly Levi.

I think the one tidbit that's been publicly released, and can be counted on as reliable, is a statement from that deceptively titled video I mentioned above; "Everybody loves Beanie". I obviously don't know her personally, but I don't doubt that that's true.

However, if I were logistically closer to NYC, I would not take a chance on paying Broadway ticket prices to see this production of FUNNY GIRL. There's nothing to entice me to do so. It sounds like (from your post) that that's on purpose(?)

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 2:29pm

If I were able to attend a performance I would wait till I read positive words to buy my ticket. I loved Beanie's walk across the stage into her 'Hello Gorgeous' promotion. Considering all things Beanie I would think that the director has shaped her Fanny[Hi Brody] to fit perfectly her abilities as well as her imperfections and vulnerabilities.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 5:33pm

https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdPaCtm6/?k=1

[A Director]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 4:23am

BrodyFosse123 said: Someone will post the first preview curtain call of FUNNY GIRL on YouTube plus lots of audio clips will be posted on Twitter so the public will be getting their first taste this coming Saturday night. Hold ya horses."

No doubt, Musical Comedy Queens and Babs worshipers are sharpening their fangs and claws in anticipation.

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 9:34am

Also found that many people I know flying in to see FUNNY GIRL in the next few weeks have zero knowledge of the stage version of the show.  Yes, everyone loves the 1968 film but it’s quite different from the stage version - especially the songs.  I’m sure there will be hundreds pissed when “My Man” isn’t sung at the end or that there is no roller skating number, tug boat, or a SWAN LAKE ballet comedy sequence.  And many saying they wrote new songs for Jane Lynch and Nick Arnstein. 

[inception]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 10:09am

I've seen a couple regional productions of Funny Girl, & went to see an in theatre screening  of the London production.  

Firstly, no matter what she does, Beanie has to be better than Sheridan Smith was.

Secondly, I think they should add "My Man" to the show.  It can give the audience more understanding of Fanny's state of mind.  That is something I think 1933's "Rose of Washington Square" ( the first, though unofficial, bio-pic about Fanny Brice) does really well.  Even though Tyrone Power is such a lout, when Alice Faye sings "My Man" you are as ready to forgive him as she is.

BrodyFosse123 said: "Also found that many people I know flying in to see FUNNY GIRL in the next few weeks have zero knowledge of the stage version of the show. Yes, everyone loves the 1968 film but it’s quite different from the stage version - especially the songs. I’m sure there will be hundreds pissed when “My Man” isn’t sung at the end or that there is no roller skating number, tug boat, or a SWAN LAKE ballet comedy sequence. And many saying they wrote new songs for Jane Lynch and Nick Arnstein."

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 10:50am

"The Music That Makes Me Dance" is the Jule Styne take on "My Man." It's a song with the same 11 o'clock sentiments expressed. Adding "My Man" to this iteration would have the same impact as Streisand singing "Music That Makes Me Dance" in the film.  Both songs land at the same moment, Styne having the tough assignment of creating a pastiche-esque musical comedy version of the Brice standard. The show won't hold both numbers.  

Reminded of Merman's interpolated "World Take Me Back" in Dolly.  When you listen to it, you hear all of Dolly's revived life sentiments in "Before the Parade Passes By." The show had to fold in a duplicate Dolly epiphany in order to give Merman a chance to sing a (great) Herman song, pre-production written for her. She basically came downstage and just sang it midway through act one. The song has never returned in other iterations because of its redundancy; it was written before "Parade" of course.  Therein lies the issue with shoehorning both "My Man" and "His Music" into Funny Girl,

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 12:46pm

Auggie27 said: ""The Music That Makes Me Dance" is the Jule Styne take on "My Man." It's a song with the same 11 o'clock sentiments expressed. Adding "My Man" to this iteration would have the same impact as Streisand singing "Music That Makes Me Dance" in the film. Both songs land at the same moment, Styne having the tough assignment of creating a pastiche-esque musical comedy version of the Brice standard. The show won't hold both numbers.

Reminded of Merman's interpolated "World Take Me Back" in Dolly. When you listen to it, you hear all of Dolly's revived life sentiments in "Before the Parade Passes By." The show had to fold in a duplicate Dolly epiphany in order to give Merman a chance to sing a (great) Herman song, pre-production written for her. She basically came downstage and just sang it midway through act one. The song has never returned in other iterations because of its redundancy; it was written before "Parade" of course. Therein lies the issue with shoehorning both "My Man" and "His Music" into Funny Girl,"

They could cut "The Music That Makes Me Dance" and put "My Man" in its place. 

I'm not saying they will or that they should but they could, providing that the creatives' respective estates gave their permission for such a change. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 2:22pm

Nope. Ain’t no “My Man.” But they did add “Funny Girl” that was written for the film.

[inception]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 2:58pm

Good post! Thanks for your insights

Auggie27 said: ""The Music That Makes Me Dance" is the Jule Styne take on "My Man."snip

 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 5:48pm

I wonder if they will use the original stage version's orchestrations/arrangements. They really put a more "pop" spin on the orchestrations/arrangements for the film. But then again that whole movie could have taken place in the mid-to-late 60s. The film's hair and makeup designs did not reflect the time period the film was supposed to be set in.

The whole film is a study in anachronism. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 6:28pm

CarlosAlberto said: "I wonder if they will use the original stage version's orchestrations/arrangements."

I expect it will sound somewhat like the recent London revival but with a larger orchestra.

The Broadway music team is: Music orchestrated by Chris Walker; Vocal, Dance, and Instrumental Music Arrangements by Alan Williams; Additional Arrangements: David Dabbon and Carmel Dean; Musical Director: Michael Rafter

[Papi2013]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 7:39pm

A Director said: "BrodyFosse123 said: Someone will post the first preview curtain call of FUNNY GIRL on YouTube plus lots of audio clips will be posted on Twitter so the public will be getting their first taste this coming Saturday night. Hold ya horses."

No doubt, Musical Comedy Queens and Babs worshipers are sharpening their fangs and claws in anticipation.

"

Guilty as charged.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 8:00pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "CarlosAlberto said: "I wonder if they will use the original stage version's orchestrations/arrangements."

I expect it will sound somewhat like the recent London revival but with a larger orchestra.

The Broadway music team is:Music orchestrated byChris Walker; Vocal, Dance, and Instrumental Music Arrangements byAlan Williams; Additional Arrangements:David DabbonandCarmel Dean; Musical Director:Michael Rafter"

Thank you Ermengarde. I am not too familiar with the recent London revival,  are you? If so, how were the orchestrations and arrangements of the score?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/21/22 at 8:05pm

Watch it (or find the cast album) and decide for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-2HR33V44Y

[dshnookie]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 10:23am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Watch it (or find the cast album) and decide for yourself:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-2HR33V44Y"

Thank you so much for sharing this! Having only seen the film, this was a huge treat to watch and honestly has satiated me - and my wallet - from having to see this new revival. Thank you!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 10:43am

dshnookie said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Watch it (or find the cast album) and decide for yourself:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-2HR33V44Y"

Thank you so much for sharing this! Having only seen the film, this was a huge treat to watch and honestly has satiated me - and my wallet - from having to see this new revival. Thank you!"

The Broadway incarnation will be vastly different from that barebones UK revival.  The Broadway version has a completely different design team, from the set designer, lightning to costumes.  Also, the Broadway production is being heavily choreographed unlike that bland UK production.  This is Broadway.  There is more expected here.  Heck, the Broadway set design has 2 staircases on stage with a turntable center stage for scene changes!

[dshnookie]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 10:54am

I mean, if you’re treating. I’ll gladly be your date. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 10:56am

Cute. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 12:34pm

Yes to be clear I was referencing the musical arrangements when posting the vid, not the physical production. The director, book adapter, and music team is basically the only carryover from the London production.

But I guess the larger answer is simply WE DON'T KNOW what this will sound like on Bway. No doubt will be some eagle-eared folks at the 1st preview who can elaborate more.

I like what I've seen of the set design models, which feels appropriately impressionististic and not trying to go for hard realism.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 1:16pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Watch it (or find the cast album) and decide for yourself:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-2HR33V44Y"

Thanks! I will most def check out! 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/24/22 at 2:35pm

Here are some clips from the Sitzprobe, including all of the principals singing.

https://twitter.com/FunnyGirlBwy/status/1507062362729234440

Sounds great! This is now more footage than most Broadway shows release before the start of previews...so all the haters can be quiet now :) We also get some of Jared Grimes' dancing.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 3/24/22 at 2:43pm

My ears, my ears!  Feldstein sounds like Minnie Mouse (no disrespect to Minnie Mouse).

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 3/24/22 at 2:47pm

Beanie sounds fabulous. I can't wait!!!