FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 26

[JBroadway]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:09pm

Theatrelover1975 said: "“Her daddy and brother are producers on the show, so that should explain it…."

 

Where are you seeing this information? Genuinely curious, since it's not on IBDB. Sorry if I missed something in the thread, as I haven't been following it very closely. 

 

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:17pm

https://twitter.com/bwaymeme/status/1508041339472121863?s=21&t=RiMhaGP-KwIRo__PFa_qow
 

Here’s the DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE audio from last night. The link should work as it’s working for me. If it’s nor working, do a search of the song on Twitter and you should find it in a few minutes.

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:20pm

60'splayoff said: "I was there last night. It was a very exciting and electric evening. If you haven't watched the curtain speech, Sonia Friedman said something like "2 or 3 days ago we didn't think this was going to happen" and also it was their first time running the show. They prepped us for possible stops, but there was only one hiccup with an offstage costume change in Act 2 after Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat (which she lost her mustache halfway through and chucked it into the pit lol). Jane was left onstage to ad-lib/start the scene with Beanie offstage, but she eventually entered.

I actually liked the design- some may find the central tower that opens and closes, revealing different locations, a bit constricting but I thought it worked. However, if you're off to the side like I was, you're distracted by the crew setting and resetting a lot when the tower is closed. Also, those spiral staircases on each side are a sightline nightmare. Overall though it was effective, creative, expensive- the big estate window was gorgeous!

I thought Jane Lynch was a surprise standout. I'm not super familiar with the original book, but I feel like Harvey gave her a lot more to do. She gets some really tender moments with Fanny. I was a little unsure of Ramin in Act One, but he won me over by the end of the show (and no, not just because of his shirtless moment). He sounds delicious and you watch his charm melt into angry desperation. He stopped the show with Temporary Arrangement which felt very Guys and Dolls- but maybe a little out of place... Once again, not a FG expert, but I feel like Henry Street & Sadie, Sadie were expanded and are now ensemble dance numbers which I really enjoyed.

Last thing I'll say... it was SO HOT in there last night. For god's sake Jujamcyn, crank the AC. I understand they've been teching the show and the lights have been on all day, but I was BOILING. Wear a tank top underneath your winter coat, otherwise you'll be schvitzing for 3 hours!!!"

The moustache coming off in rat tat tat tat happened in london, pretty sure it was staged.

In fact this production sounds a lot like the London production in terms of how they're approaching and casting it. Going the opposite of Streisand to avoid comparison and going for a comic actress who is more suited to the humour and mugging and hamming it up for laughs (certainly how Sheridan Smith played it) but can carry a tune.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:20pm

Just finished listening to an audio of Act 1 and folks, it’s insane that was their first time performing it with an audience.  The book scenes are solid and the jokes land.  They are using the original 1964 Broadway orchestrations so the Overture sounds GLORIOUS.  Sadly, they use the “Cornet Man” version of the UK revival.  Beanie sings the songs in a head voice, so those Vanessa Bayer-SNL musical theater brat vocal stylings are merited.  Luckily, Beanie is sensational in the book scenes so you accept the singing.  They work and land perfectly.  Streisand she’s not AND she’s not trying to be so you organically schuck that idea out immediately.  The actress playing Mrs. Strakosh is channeling Kay Medford (who originated Mrs. Brice in the original 1964 stage version & 1968 film version), so that’s a nice treat.  Beanie truly holds her own and luckily she’s a great actress so her nuances are perfection.  I hope they adjust the keys to the songs so they fit in Beanie’s comfort level as she sounds fantastic in that range.  Her vibrato is gorgeous but when she’s forced to go to her head voice as in “People”, it’s not a good sound.  The girl CAN sing.  They just need to accommodate the score to her vocal range.  Can’t wait to listen to Act 2 shortly.  

[BarnabyTucker]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:21pm

I have not found any evidence of her father or brother being associated with the production.  Can someone cite their sources before I write this off as a baseless claim?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:26pm

This artwork gracing the side doors of the August Wilson is really fun and colorful....I'm still not a fan of that ridiculous bow on top of her head...

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:26pm

Is it really the original orchestrations? Chris Walker is credited on IBDB.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:37pm

Is it really the original orchestrations? Chris Walker is credited on IBDB.

He may be credited and those are his transitions and bits here and there but I’m very familiar with the original 1964 Broadway score to know the Overture they did last night is the original 1964 Broadway Overture with zero alterations.  Even the trumpet riff at the end is identical.  

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:41pm

Didn't know and cool finding this out that her girlfriend is producer Bonnie Chance Roberts from How to Build a Girl movie https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/beanie-feldstein-bonnie-roberts-relationship-timeline

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:45pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Just finished listening to an audio of Act 1 and folks, it’s insane that was their first time performing it with an audience. The book scenes are solid and the jokes land. They are using the original 1964 Broadway orchestrations so the Overture sounds GLORIOUS. Sadly, they use the “Cornet Man” version of the UK revival. Beanie sings the songs in a head voice, so those Vanessa Bayer-SNL musical theater brat vocal stylings are merited. Luckily, Beanie is sensational in the book scenes so you accept the singing. They work and land perfectly. Streisand she’s not AND she’s not trying to be so you organically schuck that idea out immediately. The actress playing Mrs. Strakosh is channeling Kay Medford (who originated Mrs. Brice in the original 1964 stage version & 1968 film version), so that’s a nice treat. Beanie truly holds her own and luckily she’s a great actress so her nuances are perfection. I hope they adjust the keys to the songs so they fit in Beanie’s comfort level as she sounds fantastic in that range. Her vibrato is gorgeous but when she’s forced to go to her head voice as in “People”, it’s not a good sound. The girl CAN sing. They just need to accommodate the score to her vocal range. Can’t wait to listen to Act 2 shortly."

Great to hear, but if they didn't change the keys yet, I don't think they're changing any of the keys. Much like Company. 

[Loopin’theloop]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:52pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Is it really the original orchestrations? Chris Walker is credited on IBDB.

He may be credited and those are his transitions and bits here and there but I’m very familiar with the original 1964 Broadway score to know the Overture they did last night is the original 1964 Broadway Overture with zero alterations. Even the trumpet riff at the end is identical. "

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not been re-orchestrated. The reduction of the instrumentals alone means that it has been rearranged 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 5:55pm

The first ad appeared circa October 6. The actor has been training and working with a vocal coach a minimum of four months. Surely the keys were decided early so they could find a way to have the 12 numbers sit comfortably on Feldstein's voice. Would they suddenly change the keys in performance? It seems an enormous undertaking to begin anew. But I've read at least four posts suggesting it's a preview era viability. Does this happen for a role, other than when stars are changed and a major new addition requires adjustment? Curious to hear knowledgeable folks weigh in. Also: aren't keys agreed upon for an 8 show schedule? Many artists can move into another voice for, say, a single session in a film. But one would imagine that these were chosen to help this young star manage the schedule without voice fatigue or damage.   

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:04pm

I really think this should've been a total unknown.  They definitely could've found a funny Jewish girl who could blow the roof off the theater, which is really what the role requires.  Could've been a huge star-making turn.

100%

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:06pm

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:07pm

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:07pm

Beanie is proving as long as you can act, the singing is forgivable.  Now… and actress who can do both, is a delicious treat.  Would love to have Michaela Diamond replacing Beanie if they choose to keep the show running.  Beanie’s FUNNY GIRL is fantastic either way.  Glorious even.  

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:08pm

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:09pm

[DAME]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:15pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Beanie is proving as long as you can act, the singing is forgivable. Now… and actress who can do both, is a delicious treat. Would love to have Michaela Diamond replacing Beanie if they choose to keep the show running. Beanie’s FUNNY GIRL is fantastic either way. Glorious even."

Except she is not proving anything. 

[Tag]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:15pm

Can Ramin and Beanie switch roles?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:22pm

 "Beanie is proving as long as you can act, the singing is forgivable. Now… and actress who can do both, is a delicious treat

Yeah, because a person who can act and sing is a TREAT on Broadway and isn't standard and necessary. Hahahahahahahahaaaaa. 

[DAME]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:23pm

Did someone say Ramin is shirtless at some point?  I am trying to feel better about my ticket purchase.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:25pm

Are people on this board forgetting that Beanie is playing "Fanny Brice" and not Barbra Streisand? She's not supposed to sound like Barbra Streisand. 

I haven't listened to any of the leaked and (illegally) recorded audio from the show or even the sitzprobe footage because I want to go into this without any notion of what this sounds like until I get to see it for myself live and make up my own mind about it.

 

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:27pm

Tag: "Can Ramin and Beanie switch roles?"

Butt...butt. Wouldn't Beanie be topless in one scene then? Daring!

[DAME]

Posted: 3/27/22 at 6:28pm

CarlosAlberto said: "Are people on this board forgetting that Beanie is playing "Fanny Brice" and not Barbra Streisand? She's not supposed to sound like Barbra Streisand.

I haven't listened to any of the leaked and (illegally) recorded audio from the show or even the sitzprobe footage becauseI want to go into this without any notion of what this sounds like until I get to see it for myself live and make up my own mind about it.

"

Believe me.  At this point.. and after the leaks..no one is expecting her to sound like Streisand.  Lauren Bacall is all one could hope for.