Posted: 3/29/22 at 5:59pm
Harvey did a substantial revision of Isobel Lennart's book for the London production, and for this one he has done a significant revision of his first revision. The first half-hour or so features a great deal of non-Lennart dialogue. He's thrown in a few new Yiddishisms. And he's expanded the role of Mrs. Brice to give Jane Lynch more stage time.
Posted: 3/29/22 at 6:08pm
cliffordbradshaw2 said: "Harvey did a substantial revision of Isobel Lennart's book for the London production, and for this one he has done a significant revision of his first revision. The first half-hour or so features a great deal of non-Lennart dialogue. He's thrown in a few new Yiddishisms. And he's expanded the role of Mrs. Brice to give Jane Lynch more stage time."
I'll never complain about more stage time for Jane Lynch. :)
Posted: 3/29/22 at 6:14pm
It's interesting that "Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?" was moved to Act 2. And, that "Find Yourself A Man" has been cut.
Posted: 3/29/22 at 6:34pm
Admittedly, I have not seen the show yet (going in May), but having listened to what's out there, my fears about Beanie Feldstein's casting have all but been confirmed. She just does NOT have the voice to sing this score, and it's actually frustrating to hear her because I just can't for the life of me understand why she was cast. She was not set up for success in any way by being cast in this role, and it's unfortunate and sad.
Posted: 3/29/22 at 7:55pm
RippedMan said: "SweetLips22 said: "Why is changing the key causing such a drama/debate? Obviously it's allowed by copy right so if a person is perfect for the role and the melody stays the same, why not? Lowering might not give a song that belt at the end but how many of the general audience is going to know/notice anyway?"
It's mostly that we live in 2022 where generations have grown up with American Idol and Glee and Wicked and have strong vocals, comedy chops, and can dance. So why would we lower the key when we can just find someone better."
This is a bit ironic when discussing keys considering Chris Colfer was the only person on Glee who reliably tried to act his songs...which they consistently undercut by having him sing everything at the very top of his range. Some key change would've been useful there lol
Posted: 3/30/22 at 12:27am
There's the kinda chatter on this thread that almost got this whole place shut down by one very angry Broadway performer and the crowds that piled on with them. I'd just like to remind a lot of you that you are not being very supportive of Broadway, which we all love. I mean, most people encourage constructive criticism and a little light snark, but really. My word.
Be a people who supports Broadway.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 12:36am
I know you have mentioned your memory isn't the best but these comments don't compare to what was said back then. They aren't even in the same universe.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 3:00am
FindingNamo said: "There's the kinda chatter on this thread that almost got this whole place shut down by one very angry Broadway performer and the crowds that piled on with them. I'd just like to remind a lot of you that you arenot being very supportive of Broadway, which we all love.I mean, most people encourageconstructivecriticism and a little light snark, but really. My word.
Be a people who supports Broadway."
I don’t support mediocrity. If you support Broadway just for being Broadway, you ARE the problem. Broadway should be the golden standard. Also who cares what one performer thinks. They’re worried about their paycheck. They do not care about you.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 3:09am
FindingNamo said: "There's the kinda chatter on this thread that almost got this whole place shut down by one very angry Broadway performer and the crowds that piled on with them. I'd just like to remind a lot of you that you arenot being very supportive of Broadway, which we all love.I mean, most people encourageconstructivecriticism and a little light snark, but really. My word.
Be a people who supports Broadway."
This board should be about honesty. If something/someone is terrific, they should say so. Conversely, if something doesn’t meet what should be the very high bar of a quality Broadway performance, that too should be said. This should not be an advertising vehicle for Broadway — just honest impressions.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 3:21am
That poor, delicate, dandelion - Beanie, lost in a field of beautiful roses.
Pluck the dandelion, and plant a rose instead.
There’s still time, Mr. Mayer.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 5:05am
Just talked to a friend who is a dresser in the show, and they say Beanie is a complete nightmare backstage. She’s totally diva mode. Bossing people around and yelling at them. It doesn’t help her case. Yikes!
Posted: 3/30/22 at 5:55am
Theatrelover1975 said: "Just talked to a friend who is a dresser in the show, and they say Beanie is a complete nightmare backstage. She’s totally diva mode. Bossing people around and yelling at them. It doesn’t help her case. Yikes!"
Criticizing her performance is fair game. But a post like this is bull ****. Spreading rumors here and feeding into the "she's a b*tch" narrative that so many women in entertainment get smeared with.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:05am
Uh, I'd like to respectfully add: you're missing Namo's entire point here folks. Not a guy who uses italics in a cavalier fashion.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:06am
FindingNamo said: "There's the kinda chatter on this thread that almost got this whole place shut down by one very angry Broadway performer and the crowds that piled on with them. I'd just like to remind a lot of you that you arenot being very supportive of Broadway, which we all love.I mean, most people encourageconstructivecriticism and a little light snark, but really. My word.
Be a people who supports Broadway."
I vaguely remember this… 😱
Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:59am
FindingNamo said: "There's the kinda chatter on this thread that almost got this whole place shut down by one very angry Broadway performer and the crowds that piled on with them. I'd just like to remind a lot of you that you arenot being very supportive of Broadway, which we all love.I mean, most people encourageconstructivecriticism and a little light snark, but really. My word.
Be a people who supports Broadway."
Do you think people are just being catty here? You’re SO far off! “Be a people who supports Broadway”? I am, but I’m also going to be honest, and I would hope that people would respect someone’s opinion, even if it differs from theirs. After seeing the show last night, I’m impressed at how honest and UNcatty people are being. I’m not reading “snark,” I’m reading “honest opinions.” So here goes…..
For a third preview, I was impressed at how smoothly the show moved—there were very few mishaps, and the pacing seemed terrific. Fierstein’s book revisions were invisible: not once did I feel that anything was shoe horned in, and that’s how book revising should work! The orchestra sounded smashing, and the overture thrilled. Jane Lynch stole every scene she was in, and “Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?” was an unexpected showstopper. Jared Grimes’ tap dancing was sensational—why wasn’t he given the lead in “Rat-a-Tat-Tat”? Ramin Karimloo sang beautifully, though I feel like they’ve now given Nicky too much to sing! (I know! Damned if you do, damned if you don’t! LOL) Act two doesn’t REALLY need both Fanny AND Nick singing “Funny Girl,” for example. “Temporary Arrangement” is a terrific number, and Nick deserves a song of his own.
But there is a huge hole in the middle of this revival, and to ignore it is to be dishonest: the leading lady cannot sing the score. In all my years of theater going, I don’t think I’ve seen a star performance that made me feel as uncomfortable as this. Beanie Feldstein delighted and surprised with almost all of Fanny’s clowning, and was adorable onstage. Her antics in “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” and “You Are Woman” were hilarious and perfectly judged, and the girl’s got stage presence! Keeping in mind this was her third time in front of an audience doing this, I know her acting will improve as she settles in to the role. So will her pacing issues: this is a beast of a role and she’s still working out how she should pace herself.
But she cannot sing the score. Her voice is relatively small, (though there IS a bit of a belt there) but it is sweet-toned when she isn’t pushing. However, there is a nasality present that isn’t pleasant to listen to, and last night she had terrible pitch problems in nearly every moment: she seemed to struggle with all of her act two numbers: I’m guessing there’s vocal fatigue as well as she’s still working on her pacing. But why has no one thought to lower the keys for many of the numbers for her? She’s clearly struggling, and the music sounds too high for her. Again, I was fine with her book scenes, but every time a song cue came, my heart sank a little. That’s not a good feeling at a musical.
The producers need to work, and work hard. This isn’t a case of “This is a new interpretation,” “She isn’t trying to be Fanny or Barbra Streisand,” or “It’s still early in previews:” at this point, it feels like a very bad casting choice. This is Funny Girl’s first revival in 58 years—the musical deserves a better Fanny than it has, and Beanie deserves better as well.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:05am
Some of you never paid attention to FindingNamo when he was a regular, and it shows.
I'm not seeing this for a few more weeks but I have to admit, my excitement has been dampened. I'm still going to hope for the best, and - hopefully - enjoy myself. (I played Fanny a million years ago so it holds a special place in my heart.)
Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:17am
Famebroadway2 said: "FindingNamo said: "There's the kinda chatter on this thread that almost got this whole place shut down by one very angry Broadway performer and the crowds that piled on with them. I'd just like to remind a lot of you that you arenot being very supportive of Broadway, which we all love.I mean, most people encourageconstructivecriticism and a little light snark, but really. My word.
Be a people who supports Broadway."
I vaguely remember this… ?"
I had an account a while ago when pt 2. happened. Or right around when pt. 2. happened with said performer. I missed the pt 1. meltdown and I'm still not sure I know what exactly it was over (and actually, still confused as to pt 2. too). But anyway, she was in Frozen at the time and her named started with a P.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:23am
JAS: What an excellent review. It's trustworthy to me because you obviously aren't trying to tear the leading lady down,but offer valid criticism. I feel like I have a good idea of where this production is at even though I haven't attended. I hope you will post more.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:40am
This thread makes me think about the one and only Shirley Bassey! Although, I haven't seen the show, so I can't judge her voice...
Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:44am
It’s really unfortunate that this is how the first revival of this show is getting overshadowed by a glaring miscasting, one a lot of people questioned at the time she was announced, their reservations are turning out to be justified. I tend to trust Sonia Friedman’s instincts (most of the time), but this just feels like bad producing. Casting a non-singer in Funny Girl of all things…They were really banking on her having a moment that never came with Impeachment and the star power would overshadow the substandard vocals and they’re stuck with it now. What a letdown.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:04am
Obviously Namo is referring to the Shroud of Turin or uh, I mean...
What's crazy is that Fanny Brice is literally one of the biggest singing roles of all time. You sing an entire pop concert throughout the night, with gigantic song after gigantic song. Utterly baffling.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:27am
I’m not now nor have I ever been a producer of any sort, so I don’t claim to know how the “biz” works from that perspective.
With that being said, would they consider recasting her? I could see how that could cause some bad press. Perhaps, her name is attached to some of the money fusing the production? On the other hand, her singing talent isn’t going to change by the time the show opens. Producers have to know that reviews are going to mention that she can’t sing the score.
Again, NOT a producer here, but I think I’d strongly consider recasting her now.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:33am
I don't think they'll recast her. The fallout will be huge, and I don't think it could survive the backlash.
Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:54am
This role is tricky because you can have the best vocals but if you’re not funny, it won’t work. (This is why I think Lea Michele wasn’t cast since she’s not funny.)
Beanie is funny. She doesn’t have Streisand’s vocals but she is making the role her own.
I doubt the producers will recast her. I presume they all heard her sing last year and her singing was good enough for them which means they think it’s good enough for the average theatergoer.
