FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 33

[ashley0139]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 5:56pm

SisterGeorge said: "CarlosAlberto said: "This has to be one of the most divisive and controversial casting choices I have seen to date. I am still looking forward to seeing this and hoping that a lot of the negative sentiments are just mere hyperbole because honey, these tickets did not come cheap."

And speaking of divisive and controversial casting, Katrina Lenk as Bobbie is right up there, too. Could this be a new trend on Broadway? If so, can we add a new Tony category: Most WTF Casting Choice in a Revival?"

They're not comparable. Completely different types of roles, needs, casting ideas, etc. But then again I've never understood the controversy regarding Katrina. I think she's phenomenal in the role and have no issues with her voice or casting. It's not WTF to me at all.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 6:17pm

ashley0139 said: "SisterGeorge said: "CarlosAlberto said: "This has to be one of the most divisive and controversial casting choices I have seen to date. I am still looking forward to seeing this and hoping that a lot of the negative sentiments are just mere hyperbole because honey, these tickets did not come cheap."

And speaking of divisive and controversial casting, Katrina Lenk as Bobbie is right up there, too. Could this be a new trend on Broadway? If so, can we add a new Tony category: Most WTF Casting Choice in a Revival?"

They're not comparable. Completely different types of roles, needs, casting ideas, etc. But then again I've never understood the controversy regarding Katrina. I think she's phenomenal in the role and have no issues with her voice or casting. It's not WTF to me at all."

Yep, I don’t see how Katrina’s casting is controversial. Bobbie doesn’t need to be a big belter. The men who played the role before Raul never got complaints that their voices weren’t big enough. With a woman in the role, some seemed to want Wicked type belting, but that’s not Sondheim and never will be. What’s hurt Katrina a bit is that she didn’t fully own the role with confidence until after opening. But I give her credit for working her butt off to get to where she is right now, which included studying with Joan Ladar. 

Now with Fanny, there is truly no excuse not to have a belter and extremely skilled singer in the role. This is going to put such a major damper on the first and long awaited revival of Funny Girl. It’s giving me such Evita revival vibes. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 6:33pm

(To me, Lenk couldn't handle the score. I was at the first preview and it was a little rough to watch her struggle vocally. I'm sure she's better now).

[pmensky]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 6:42pm

I think Lea Michele is a very funny actress and could probably step into this role pretty quickly. She’s had a lot of negative press in the last couple years, but people love a comeback, and this could be the most triumphant one imaginable that would create such a gargantuan splash in the press that tickets would definitely sell. The producers need to decide if they’re prepared for this show to open to negative reviews for its lead and the financial repercussions of that versus the possible financial rewards of making a bold, risky move. Just pretend she’s Annie.

[Up In One]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 6:52pm

SisterGeorge said: "CarlosAlberto said: "This has to be one of the most divisive and controversial casting choices I have seen to date. I am still looking forward to seeing this and hoping that a lot of the negative sentiments are just mere hyperbole because honey, these tickets did not come cheap."

And speaking of divisive and controversial casting, Katrina Lenk as Bobbie is right up there, too. Could this be a new trend on Broadway? If so, can we add a new Tony category: Most WTF Casting Choice in a Revival?"

I will admit that Lenk wasn't the best choice for Company and with her in it I could have done without the added first act closer but you go to see Company for the show itself - its closer to an ensemble piece than not, the staging, Sondheim the songs and Stritch or LuPone. For Funny Girl audiences went for Streisand and Styne - the songs - and in that order. You can go in a different direction with the singer but it had better be equally impressive and impactful because the rest of the package is not worth the price of admission. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:02pm

Now with Fanny, there is truly no excuse not to have a belter and extremely skilled singer in the role. This is going to put such a major damper on the first and long awaited revival of Funny Girl. It’s giving me such Evita revival vibes.

Same. 

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:10pm

The production stage manager along with the dance captain decide who will fill any spots on a given night since they know who has had the most rehearsal time and who is prepared to go on that moment. Also, Beanie was not cast in the role-the show was produced FOR her. No producer would option the rights to a revival without already having a star in mind. One would not option the show and just HOPE someone would show up at auditions. This show, like The Music Man and Dolly exist because it was created for the person in the leading role .

[DAME]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:25pm

CarlosAlberto said: "This has to be one of the most divisive and controversial casting choices I have seen to date. I am still looking forward to seeing this and hoping that a lot of the negative sentiments are just mere hyperbole because honey, these tickets did not come cheap."

 

Same here.   But it doesn't look good.  All the other social media theater groups have negative reactions being posted.  And in those no one is hiding behind a handle.  

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:33pm

Mike Costa said: "Beanie was not cast in the role-the show was produced FOR her."

 

"Citizen Kane" comes to mind.

 

[Ke3]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:55pm

duplicate

[Ke3]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 7:55pm

You guys are a bit delusional if you think they're replacing her. First of all, if they cared about the weak vocals they wouldn't have cast her. This is her voice after months of extra training. Whatever they heard was even worse, and they gleefully pulled the trigger. Secondly, Beanie is not a five star name, but she's also not an unknown. If they had cast say, a Micheala Diamond, and had issues, sure they'd probably dump her in a heartbeat. She has no buzz outside the theatre. They're not going to dump Beanie, because they believe her to be enough of a star that combined with the show title, they'll have a critic proof show. Not sure I believe it. Time will tell.

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:04pm

All I want to know is what in god‘s name the producers and creatives were thinking with going her. When this was first announced, I had reservations, but part of me thought that just maybe she would surprise us and turn in an unexpectedly great performance for the ages (my reason for this thinking being why else would they cast her unless she’s really something special and unexpected?). Sadly, this is not the case.

The fact that a group of theatre professionals got together and decided that Beanie Feldstein was the best fit to headline the first ever Broadway revival of Funny Girl (presumably after hearing her sing)  is mind boggling to me.

[pmensky]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:05pm

Ke3 said: "You guys are a bit delusional if you think they're replacing her. First of all, if they cared about the weak vocals they wouldn't have cast her. This is her voice after months of extra training. Whatever they heard was even worse, and they gleefully pulled the trigger. Secondly, Beanie is not a five star name, but she's also not an unknown. If they had cast say, a Micheala Diamond, and had issues, sure they'd probably dump her in a heartbeat. She has no buzz outside the theatre. They're not going to dump Beanie, because they believe her to be enough of a star that combined with the show title, they'll have a critic proof show. Not sure I believe it. Time will tell.

"

While you’re right that her status makes it trickier to replace her, the notion that they wouldn’t change their minds, because they were fine with her at auditions and that she spent months preparing isn’t a valid argument, because actors are replaced in previews and out of town tryouts from time to time.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:09pm

I'll never tell. 

XOXO, 

FCB

 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:24pm

Sutton - 
 

I find it hilarious you are stating something as fact (she was given the part because of the producers and who she is!) and then you say it is “your opinion only.” Do you know what an opinion is?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:34pm

Just. Spittin. Fax.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:39pm

the drama in this thread is really something

[Papi2013]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:47pm

Our wishful thinking has nothing to do with delusion. We are just disappointed . That is all. At what point do our opinions become just being mean? I am not accusing anyone of it. We are entitled to our opinions.. especially on broadway and when we are paying broadway prices. But I am just wondering..because karma is a bitch.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:54pm

Didn’t she prepare three songs and videotape them? And end up anointed thus? Or: Is her casting narrative already a myth?  (Remember when Hal Prince made Liza Minnelli. - who had won a Tony for Flora - audition multiple times for Cabaret, only to give Sally to Jill Haworth?) 

A new take is emerging: her growth in the role in previews will become the narrative. Those demanding stronger vocals will be shamed and she will triumph. Maybe. We live in a culture that loves a comeback. At this point, a comeback construct would enhance this production’s marketing. As always: Anything is possible. 

 

 

[pmensky]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 8:59pm

Papi2013 said: "Our wishful thinking has nothing to do with delusion. We are just disappointed . That is all. At what point do our opinions become just being mean? I am not accusing anyone of it. We are entitled to our opinions.. especially on broadway and when we are paying broadway prices. But I am just wondering..because karma is a bitch."

You might be a little too invested if you think karma is going to come calling for some people having a chat about their disappointment in a Broadway show.

[Papi2013]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:01pm

pmensky said: "Papi2013 said: "Our wishful thinking has nothing to do with delusion. We are just disappointed . That is all. At what point do our opinions become just being mean? I am not accusing anyone of it. We are entitled to our opinions.. especially on broadway and when we are paying broadway prices. But I am just wondering..because karma is a bitch."

You might be a little too invested if you think karma is going to come calling for some people having a chat about their disappointment in a Broadway show."

You might be right.  Why do I care so much?  

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:01pm

Dame, I have the info but I cant post it without saying "in my opinion" or go any further without my stuff getting deleted. Like, I will pm you if you want with the deets. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:07pm

Yep, I got ya. 

[DAME]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:13pm

Auggie27 said: "She will not be recast. That's a 100%. But keep your eyes on Julie Benko, "the luckiest standby in the world," as she proclaims on Twitter. She goes on for at least three performances at the end of the next month. If the performance load proves vocally taxing for Feldstein (think of Lauren Ambrose -- ironic! -- who gave up one of the Fair Lady performance, even with a lovely sound), it's possible to imagine a Tuesday night or one of the matinees given over to the other actor. And then, well, audiences will have a choice. It happens -- and not that rarely."

If I were Julie Benko I would have my publicist work overtime for those performances and get it somehow reviewed.  Didn't someone else do that?  Was it Shirley Maclaine for Pajama Game?  

[MCfan2]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 9:25pm

[resists urge to make an Eve Harrington joke]