FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 48

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 3:29pm

I have to admit just being a big fan of theater I am not too sure what "head voice" singing is. It can't be what Kelli or Audra do, though. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 3:33pm

I had my tickets refunded. I don't care to see this show anymore. A co-worker, whose opinion I value because we have very similar tastes saw this and advised me not to go because it just wasn't worth it. She felt the production values and the leading lady does not do this show justice. 

And the more I read on here the more I am at peace with my decision not to go. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 3:37pm

Sutton Ross said: "I have to admit just being a big fan of theater I am not too sure what "head voice" singing is. It can't be what Kelli or Audra do, though."

This’ll help you understand it.  It’s technically the female “falsetto.”  When a woman tries to sing higher than her range so she uses that odd sounding nasal voice level.  

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 4:49pm

These reviews frame their disappointment with the vocals in different ways but land on a similar deduction: when a musical comedy builds to emotional crescendos, the songs take over. Expectation is baked into the shaped experience; the show itself makes the songs critical. Revising scenes, building up Nick, allowing others to share numbers can’t change the way Funny Girl uses Fanny’s song. They are the evening’s designated high points. No matter the comedy chops or stage charm of the actor, the show places a handful of musical sequences in spots where the theatrical currency required is singing. 

Updated On: 4/13/22 at 04:49 PM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 6:05pm

Cousin saw this last week. They’re a big Beanie. 
 

They loved it!!! But, admitted Beanie’s signing wasn’t powerful. They thought her acting more than made up for it, and loved Ramin and Jane, who they bought tickets for. So overall I take this as a crowd pleaser as I trust their reviews. 
 

also, Sutton Ross, check your PM’s!!! 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 6:17pm

Yeah! Mike! I wrote you so long ago, hoping you were alright! Checking now, bb!

[OldTheatreLover]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 7:48pm

Mike Barrett said: "Cousin saw this last week. They’re a big Beanie.


They loved it!!! But, admitted Beanie’s signing wasn’t powerful. They thought her acting more than made up for it…"

It’s a MUSICAL!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 8:32pm

OldTheatreLover said: "Mike Barrett said: "Cousin saw this last week. They’re a big Beanie.


They loved it!!! But, admitted Beanie’s signing wasn’t powerful. They thought her acting more than made up for it…"

It’s aMUSICAL!"

My sentiments exactly!  She can handle the comedy parts but can’t handle the score? In a musical?  

Then if she’s excelling in the acting and coming up short with the singing then just cut out the songs and make it a straight play and call it a day.

Call me weird, but when I pay top dollar to see a musical the lead better do justice to it and sing her you know what off. 

Just sayin’ 

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 8:33pm

dshnookie said: "joevitus said: "It's really interesting to read the great disparity of responses, almost all at one end of the spectrum or the other: "her vocals aren't perfect, but she nails the role and has star quality" vs. "her voice is abysmal and she is hopeless in the role." Have to say not one video or audio clip I've encountered makes me think she's any good in this, but so many people commenting here are really wowed--as many as are unhappy with the performance. I don't know how to assess it."

by seeing it for yourself."

Impossible, alas. Don't live in the city or state. Don'r have the funds. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 8:38pm

Auggie27 said: "These reviews frame their disappointment with the vocals in different ways but land on a similar deduction: when a musical comedy builds to emotional crescendos, the songs take over. Expectation is baked into the shaped experience; the show itself makes the songs critical. Revising scenes, building up Nick, allowing others to share numbers can’t change the way Funny Girl uses Fanny’s song. They are the evening’s designated high points. No matter the comedy chops or stage charm of the actor, the show places a handful of musical sequences in spots where the theatrical currency required is singing."

Minor nitpicky point, but you don't build to a crescendo. The crescendo is the build.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 8:50pm

Actually, no. Crescendo is a noun, indicating an apex; verbs delineate the ascension:

noun

1. the loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound.
   
   "the port engine's sound rose to a crescendo 

2. the highest point reached in a progressive increase of intensity.

   • "the hysteria reached a crescendo around the spring festival"

Updated On: 4/13/22 at 08:50 PM

[dshnookie]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 10:24pm

joevitus said: "dshnookie said: "joevitus said: "It's really interesting to read the great disparity of responses, almost all at one end of the spectrum or the other: "her vocals aren't perfect, but she nails the role and has star quality" vs. "her voice is abysmal and she is hopeless in the role." Have to say not one video or audio clip I've encountered makes me think she's any good in this, but so many people commenting here are really wowed--as many as are unhappy with the performance. I don't know how to assess it."

by seeing it for yourself."

Impossible, alas. Don't live in the city or state. Don'r have the funds."

I’m sorry 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 11:16pm

MayAudraBlessYou2: But the constant nasality in Beanie's singing leaves little to no room for emotion. And on top of any vocal limitations, she just does not know how to interpret a song.
 

I loved her acting and comedic timing but I hate to have agree with this comment.  The nasality took me out of the moment and I was never moved when she sang.  Thank God for Ramin because he sounds wonderful and helped detract my ear from the nasality when they sang together.  Overall, I had a good time.  The overture is dreamy and the tap dancing was fun. I enjoyed the ensemble numbers especially Rat Tat Tat Tat.  I left the show singing the songs which    makes me happy and I can’t sing at all.  So yes I was a little disappointed but the music is the star for me.  Also, I have a ticket to see Benko on April 30th.

I have seen some really good musicals (Assassins, Akimbo, Music Man) and some really bad ones (Paradise Square, Mr.Saturday Night) this season. I would have to place Funny Girl in the good category.  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 11:35pm

When tickets went on sale i bought multiple pairs, in case it became a sell out, and went again tonight. Beanie has gotten more comfortable in the role and her comic delivery is better than ever. Her singing though, surprised me in that she seems to have become more nasal. It’s an odd choice to switch more to that and is a tad confusing. I’m curious if anyone else has noticed that shift. I know the comment right above mentions it but was it that way from the beginning? 
 

But that aside, she (and especially Jane) have added quite a few little things that made me laugh pretty hard and Ramin’s robe was extra open at the top of act two for a moment, so that was nice (I’m only human).

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 11:42pm

I will say, Beanie’s Act 2 entrance is genius.  No spoilers.  

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 1:32am

I have ONE ticket for sale to FUNNY GIRL on 5/14/22 at 8PM. Left Orchestra, Row B, Seat 5. Just looking to get back what I paid for it - $275. Can transfer the ticket through Seat Geek as soon as I receive payment. I accept either PayPal or Cash App. PM me if interested. THANKS!!!

Updated On: 4/15/22 at 01:32 AM

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 3:08am

Auggie27 said: "Actually, no. Crescendo is a noun, indicating an apex; verbs delineate the ascension:

noun

1. the loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound.
   
   "the port engine's soundrose to a crescendo
2. the highest point reached in a progressive increase of intensity.
   • "the hysteriareached a crescendoaround the spring festival"

"

It's a common misconception (as indicated by the people who liked your comment) but no: when it comes, to music and musical terms, a crescendo is a gradual increase in loudness, not the highest, loudest moment. 

"In music, crescendo refers to the gradual increase in the volume of music throughout a piece or a song." https://promusicianhub.com/what-is-a-crescendo-music/ 

"a gradual increase in loudness" https://musicaldictionary.com/crescendo/

"crescendo (abbreviated cresc.) translates as 'increasing' (literally 'growing' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamics_(music)

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 8:25am

"It's a common misconception (as indicated by the people who liked your comment) but no: when it comes, to music and musical terms, a crescendo is a gradual increase in loudness, not the highest, loudest moment."

Except I'm not discussing music. My sentence that you cite says, musical comedy, meaning a show. The book scenes, the storytelling. The show itself features builds to crescendos: "until the songs take over." A valid statement. My assertion is about structure of the dramatic form, the genre -- musical comedy -- its emotional crescendos are the moments where the songs occur. I'm not discussing the crescendo within, say "Don't Rain on My Parade" or in any way issues of volume. I'm speaking of the show proper.  No misconception. 

Updated On: 4/14/22 at 08:25 AM

[chewy5000]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 9:05am

So long as we're being pedantic, you don't "build to a crescendo". You simply crescendo; it comes form the Italian verb  meaning 'to increase'

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:36am

FIRST LOOK PHOTOS

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/04/funny-girl-first-look-see-beanie-feldstein-take-the-stage-as-fanny-brice

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 11:49am

I've enjoyed learning more about crescendo and its proper usage. (not being snarky)

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 12:28pm

chewy5000 said: "So long as we're being pedantic, you don't "build to a crescendo". You simply crescendo; it comes form the Italian verb meaning 'to increase'"

Correct. Their fight about this particular topic made me snort with laughter. 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 12:50pm

Sutton Ross said: "chewy5000 said: "So long as we're being pedantic, you don't "build to a crescendo". You simply crescendo; it comes form the Italian verb meaning 'to increase'"

Correct. Their fight about this particular topic made me snort with laughter."

Lol. Me too. I think this argument has reached its crescendo. Or did I use it wrong? :)

 

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 1:54pm

chewy5000 said: "So long as we're being pedantic, you don't "build to a crescendo". You simply crescendo; it comes form the Italian verb meaning 'to increase'"

Yup. The point of my OP.

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 1:56pm

Auggie27 said: "
"It's a common misconception (as indicated by the people who liked your comment) but no: when it comes, to music and musical terms, a crescendo is a gradual increase in loudness, not the highest, loudest moment."

Except I'm not discussing music. My sentence that you cite says, musical comedy, meaning a show. The book scenes, the storytelling. The show itselffeatures builds to crescendos: "until the songs take over." A valid statement. My assertion is about structure of the dramatic form, the genre -- musical comedy -- its emotional crescendos are the moments where the songs occur. I'm not discussing the crescendo within, say "Don't Rain on My Parade" or in any way issues of volume. I'm speaking of the show proper. No misconception."

It's a weird use of vocabulary to talk about a show building to a crescendo.