FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 50

[DAME]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 3:12pm

So. We saw this Thursday night April 14. This was show 4 out of the 6 shows we were seeing this trip. It was the only one we had paid full price for. It was a great night out. The audience was on fire. But this Funny Girl is a mess. Like everyone says.. she does not have a pleasant singing voice. These are big songs everyone is waiting for.. and they fall flat. I also did not find her funny and did not believe for one second her rise as a star or her love affair with Nick. The second act is dreadful. Especially that scene between Fanny and her mother; when she gives her the news about Nick. The overture is the highlight of the evening. We felt like we were in the twilight zone with this audience. We did notice that the positive response around us came from the younger female audience and that the gentlemen around our age ( late 50's and up) were as puzzled as we were.. but that is just my observation. Jane Lynch is wasted. Ramin is gorgeous but I found him stiff. Beautiful voice.

As I said.. we had a great night out. But wow. I hope the critics are honest . We deserve better. We all do.

Updated On: 4/18/22 at 03:12 PM

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 3:47pm

Everyone I know who has seen this production says the same thing: Jane Lynch is superb in it. Change the title to FUNNY GIRL's Mother.

[fbueller]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 4:32pm

DAME said: "So. We saw this Thursday night April 14. This was show 4 out of the 6 shows we were seeing this trip. It was the only one we had paid full price for. It was a great night out. The audience was on fire. But this Funny Girl is a mess. Like everyone says.. she does not have a pleasant singing voice. These are big songs everyone is waiting for.. and they fall flat. I also did not find her funny and did not believe for one second her rise as a star or her love affair with Nick. The second act is dreadful. Especially that scene between Fanny and her mother; when she gives her the news about Nick. The overture is the highlight of the evening. We felt like we were in the twilight zone with this audience. We did notice that the positive response around us came from the younger female audience and that the gentlemen around our age ( late 50's and up) were as puzzled as we were.. but that is just my observation. Jane Lynch is wasted. Rain is gorgeous but I found him stiff. Beautiful voice.

As I said.. we had a great night out. But wow. I hope the critics are honest . We deserve better. We all do."

After reading many of the initial reactions from early previews, it sounds like the 'Funny Girl' revival is going to end up like the 'Funny Lady' sequel film Babs made that was widely panned and viewed as nothing more than a cash grab.  It will be really interesting to see what the initial critic reviews are next week.

Updated On: 4/18/22 at 04:32 PM

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 8:34pm

DAME said: "So. We saw this Thursday night April 14. This was show 4 out of the 6 shows we were seeing this trip. It was the only one we had paid full price for. It was a great night out. The audience was on fire. But this Funny Girl is a mess. Like everyone says.. she does not have a pleasant singing voice. These are big songs everyone is waiting for.. and they fall flat. I also did not find her funny and did not believe for one second her rise as a star or her love affair with Nick. The second act is dreadful. Especially that scene between Fanny and her mother; when she gives her the news about Nick. The overture is the highlight of the evening. We felt like we were in the twilight zone with this audience. We did notice that the positive response around us came from the younger female audience and that the gentlemen around our age ( late 50's and up) were as puzzled as we were.. but that is just my observation. Jane Lynch is wasted. Ramin is gorgeous but I found him stiff. Beautiful voice.

As I said.. we had a great night out. But wow. I hope the critics are honest . We deserve better. We all do."

Definitely a Twilight Zone audience.  I was surprised how easily manipulated they were .  I agree.  We deserve better.  The reviews and reception  for this will be crucial.  It will tell us what the expectation might be for broadway in the future.  

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 8:44pm

^ Great Twilight Zone comment.

I hope the critics are honest . We deserve better. We all do.

100%

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 9:24pm

Seems like most of us on BWW are on the same page...

[sppunk]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 9:25pm

We saw this Saturday night. Funny Girl is my wife’s favorite musical - she grew up with it and the movie and is one of the bigger Babs fans you’ll find for a -40 year old. I was entirely unfamiliar with it as I saw the movie eons ago but forgot most of it. 

I’ve read a lot of complaint about Feldstien and her lack of voice. I agree (she can’t carry the tune, and why is she singing so nasty ugh) but I think that’s somewhat missing the point.

This show goes out if it’s way to NOT be what everyone knows as Funny Girl, my wife says. This Fannie speaks what Barbara sang and to me that works pretty well. My wife says this show is more rhythmic. 

Aside from Fannie, my biggest disappointment was the costumes and scenery. This show screams color and vibrancy and everything was … dull. The set and costumes from Hello, Dolly! this is not. It is like the set of Our Town from a regional thruster. 
 

I thought Ramin was terrific though and the tap was very well done - the rest of the dancing was horrifically awful. 

I’m very interested in reviews. I don’t think they’ll be kind. 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 9:43pm

Sppunk wrote: "This show goes out if it’s way to NOT be what everyone knows as Funny Girl..."

In a nutshell, what many have voiced. 

 

[kurtal]

Posted: 4/18/22 at 10:54pm

From the above linked Ramin interview:

""Beanie is this generation's Fanny Brice," Karimloo, 43, tells PEOPLE ahead of the show's April 24 opening. "We talk about the importance of representation all the time, and Fanny was a trailblazer. She had no template, no path; she became the mold. She showed people, if you don't see something, become that. And Beanie followed Fanny's path and opened her own sets of doors for others to follow suit.""

I'm sorry no.  Whatever you think about Beanie's performance, the whole bootstraps narrative that they're trying to shove down people's throats is just maddening.  Beanie comes from a massively wealthy entertainment industry family.  Every door that she has walked through has been held open for her by her family -- or by Ben Platt's family.  

Which...fine!  Life's all about taking advantage of the connections you have.  No need to apologize for that.

But don't hand me a crap sandwich and tell me it's Nutella.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 12:25pm

kurtal said: "From the above linked Ramin interview:

""Beanie is this generation's Fanny Brice," Karimloo, 43, tells PEOPLE ahead of the show's April 24 opening. "We talk about the importance of representation all the time, and Fanny was a trailblazer. She had no template, no path; she became the mold. She showed people, if you don't see something, become that. And Beanie followed Fanny's path and opened her own sets of doors for others to follow suit.""

I'm sorry no. Whatever you think about Beanie's performance, the whole bootstraps narrative that they're trying to shove down people's throats is just maddening. Beanie comes from a massively wealthy entertainment industry family. Every door that she has walked through has been held open for her by her family -- or by Ben Platt's family.

Which...fine! Life's all about taking advantage of the connections you have. No need to apologize for that.

But don't hand me a crap sandwich and tell me it's Nutella."

I think Meg Stalter would actually be more akin to this generation's Fanny Brice. She truly had to create her own path and truly has a lack of self consciousness that is refreshing. I'm not exactly sure what Beanie is besides adequate in many areas. 

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 12:45pm

Today marks Funny Girl’s freeze day. Here come the critics. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 12:53pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Today marksFunny Girl’s freeze day. Here come the critics."

This is not going to be pretty at all. I expect Jane and Ramin will be spared. 

[Papi2013]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 1:04pm

DAME said: "So. We saw this Thursday night April 14. This was show 4 out of the 6 shows we were seeing this trip. It was the only one we had paid full price for. It was a great night out. The audience was on fire. But this Funny Girl is a mess. Like everyone says.. she does not have a pleasant singing voice. These are big songs everyone is waiting for.. and they fall flat. I also did not find her funny and did not believe for one second her rise as a star or her love affair with Nick. The second act is dreadful. Especially that scene between Fanny and her mother; when she gives her the news about Nick. The overture is the highlight of the evening. We felt like we were in the twilight zone with this audience. We did notice that the positive response around us came from the younger female audience and that the gentlemen around our age ( late 50's and up) were as puzzled as we were.. but that is just my observation. Jane Lynch is wasted. Ramin is gorgeous but I found him stiff. Beautiful voice.

As I said.. we had a great night out. But wow. I hope the critics are honest . We deserve better. We all do."

Saw it on Saturday.  Agree with everything here.  Also the production looks cheap.  I agree with the comment about the audience experience being from the Twilight Zone.  I guess people are just so hungry for something good that they will convince themselves of anything.  

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 2:19pm

Are we really at the point where anyone who says they like this Funny Girl is either deluded or lying? I haven't seen it yet, but I certainly wouldn't tell someone they're wrong for enjoying any show, even if I totally disagree with them.

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 3:33pm

Papi2013 said: "I agree with the comment about the audience experience being from the Twilight Zone. I guess people are just so hungry for something good that they will convince themselves of anything."

I think the audience is loving "the revival" and the familiar music rather than those who are in it. I think they would love it if it was just a concert... some audiences are not that discerning. They do not analyze the "instruments" or the keys or the nasal quality of voices. They just sit there and get into the spirit of the show. 

I think a show can be successful regardless of the cast. The show is carried by the story and the soundtrack. And I think Funny Girl 2022 will get great reviews. 

 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 3:59pm

Lorna Joe said: "Papi2013 said: "I agree with the comment about the audience experience being from the Twilight Zone. I guess people are just so hungry for something good that they will convince themselves of anything."

I think the audience is loving "the revival" and the familiar music rather than those who are in it. I think they would love it if it was just a concert... some audiences are not that discerning. They do not analyze the "instruments" or the keys or the nasal quality of voices. They just sit there and get into the spirit of the show.

I think a show can be successful regardless of the cast. The show is carried by the story and the soundtrack. And I think Funny Girl 2022 will get great reviews."

 

Soundtrack? This isn't a motion picture. It's a theatrical stage show. 

 

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 4:16pm

And I think Funny Girl 2022 will get great reviews.

This is definitely what these cheering and whoo-hooing audiences truly believe.  My audience was reacting as if it were Harry Styles at Coachella.  Screaming during any long note Beanie sang AND they lost their s**t at the end of each number as if Jennifer Hudson just riffed those final notes.  

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 4:30pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "And I think Funny Girl 2022 will get great reviews.

This is definitely what these cheering and whoo-hooing audiences truly believe. My audience was reacting as if it were Harry Styles at Coachella. Screaming during any long note Beanie sang AND they lost their s**t at the end of each number as if Jennifer Hudson just riffed those final notes. "

I blame “American Idol”, “America’s Got Talent” and all those reality based shows for the lowered expectations of the general America public. 

Updated On: 4/19/22 at 04:30 PM

[soxboy22]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 6:02pm

CarlosAlberto said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "And I think Funny Girl 2022 will get great reviews.

This is definitely what these cheering and whoo-hooing audiences truly believe. My audience was reacting as if it were Harry Styles at Coachella. Screaming during any long note Beanie sang AND they lost their s**t at the end of each number as if Jennifer Hudson just riffed those final notes. "

I blame “American Idol”, “America’s Got Talent” and all those reality based shows for the lowered expectations of the general America public."

The only time I’ve enjoyed an audience cheering and woo-hooing in the middle of a song was ‘And I am telling you I’m not Going’, sung by Jennifer Holliday in Dec. 1981, Dreamgirls. The three times I returned she was out.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 6:08pm

soxboy22 said: 
The only time I’ve enjoyed an audience cheering and woo-hooing in the middle of a song was ‘And I am telling you I’m not Going’, sung by Jennifer Holliday in Dec. 1981, Dreamgirls. The three times I returned she was out."

Yes, but in the case of Miss Jennifer Holliday in the original 1981 production of "Dreamgirls", which coincidentally was my first ever Broadway show, all the cheering and woo-hooing was justified.

 

[soxboy22]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 6:19pm

Oh, absolutely, which is why I say I enjoyed it so much.

You started at the top w Dreamgirls.  My first show was Sugar. Lol

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 6:45pm

soxboy22 said: "Oh, absolutely, which is why I say I enjoyed it so much.

You started at the top w Dreamgirls. My first show was Sugar. Lol"

LOL….you can blame my middle school drama teacher for that. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 7:10pm

CarlosAlberto said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "And I think Funny Girl 2022 will get great reviews.

This is definitely what these cheering and whoo-hooing audiences truly believe. My audience was reacting as if it were Harry Styles at Coachella. Screaming during any long note Beanie sang AND they lost their s**t at the end of each number as if Jennifer Hudson just riffed those final notes. "

I blame “American Idol”, “America’s Got Talent” and all those reality based shows for the lowered expectations of the general America public."

Absolutely agree!!  I have long thought that this pandemic of standing ovations -- which mean nothing anymore -- are due to Idol, where the audience stood every time someone sneezed.  A SO used to mean something, now it means nothing, especially when the audience is already fully standing when the lead takes his/her bows.  So stupid.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 7:13pm

soxboy22 said: "CarlosAlberto said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "And I think Funny Girl 2022 will get great reviews.

This is definitely what these cheering and whoo-hooing audiences truly believe. My audience was reacting as if it were Harry Styles at Coachella. Screaming during any long note Beanie sang AND they lost their s**t at the end of each number as if Jennifer Hudson just riffed those final notes. "

I blame “American Idol”, “America’s Got Talent” and all those reality based shows for the lowered expectations of the general America public."

The only time I’ve enjoyed an audience cheering and woo-hooing in the middle of a song was ‘And I am telling you I’m not Going’, sung by Jennifer Holliday in Dec. 1981, Dreamgirls. The three times I returned she was out."

I agree with you...I was luckier, saw it three times and she was in all three.  Was there for her last performance and the voice was showing signs of strain -- she still acted the hell out of it.  

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 7:15pm

CarlosAlberto said: "Soundtrack? This isn't a motion picture. It's a theatrical stage show."

Excuse my incorrect choice of nomenclature. You understood me. The music is what is exciting these audiences. They do not sit and analyze each song and how well each song is sung. They are feeling the emotion of each song and enjoying it. They don't nitpick. They have known this music for decades and hearing it live on stage is getting a wonderful response from audiences.