FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 54

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 5:05pm

I don’t think people are on here to specifically bash Beanie. Most people would agree that she is a charming actress and comedienne who can sing. That being said the demands of this show, specifically vocally, are simply too big for her. Is this her fault? Not really. I would point the finger at the producers, creatives and casting for not being honest about her abilities to tackle this iconic role. Now, perhaps the powers that be thought her comic talents, acting, and like-ability factor would win audiences over and make people see Fanny Brice through a different lens. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened. 
 

Two examples I can think of…and I’m dating myself here…would be Tyne Daly as Mama Rose in Gypsy and Natasha Richardson in Cabaret. Both of those roles are known for the power house vocals. Neither of those actresses are power house singers however they both are such incredible actresses who each found their way into the parts by fully committing to the characters. Audiences were floored by both performances and the vocals never truly “mattered” so to speak. 

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 5:34pm

Bill Snibson said: "Most people would agree that she is a charming actress and comedienne who can sing."

Hey, speak for yourself!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 5:38pm

Sally Bowles in CABARET is a third-rate singer working in a third-rate seedy Berlin night club.  As written, the role never required a fantastic female singer.  The original 1966 Broadway production was always cast this way.  Sadly, Bob Fosse’s 1972 film adaptation distorted this casting with Liza Minnelli and her powerhouse vocals.  Bob Fosse DID make attempts to imply that the fantastic singing voice Sally (Liza) had was in her head (he staged “Maybe This Time” with her alone in the Kit Kat Klub), but he didn’t retain this concept throughout so Sally (Liza) had a fabulous voice at all times.

When the 1998 Sam Mendes/Rob Marshall reinterpretation of CABARET arrived on Broadway, Natasha Richardson’s raw natural singing voice suited the character as written and this is why a long roster of fantastic non-singing actresses played the role throughout its long run.  The role did not require a fabulous singer as the character isn’t.  I’m amused by those who react to a Sally Bowles with terrible vocals as it shows they don’t know CABARET and only its 1972 film adaptation and Liza Minnelli’s legendary Sally Bowles.  

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 5:45pm

My point was these are three roles very often associated with a big singer…Fanny Brice: Streisand, Mama Rose: Merman, Sally Bowles: Minnelli there are actresses who can successfully land these roles without being true vocalists. Beanie is not on that level.  

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 5:48pm

Lorna Joe said: "DAME said: "jkcohen626 said: "I have been one to believe that some (not all) of you take unnecessary pleasure in attempting to rip Beanie apart and seem to spend all of your time coming back to this thread to constantly trash talk this show.

BUT, I do agree that it's silly to suggest that Funny Girl isn't about songs. It's a mid-tier show that was elevated to a classic by great songs and an INCREDIBLE performance."

Well.. there is some sadness on my part on letting myself spend close to $200.00 a ticket and being so disappointed. There is some sadness in me of waiting years and years for a first class revival of this show and being assaulted with this casting choice... and then not having it justified. There is some sadness in me of being part of a twilight zone kind of audience that was hooting and hollering at everything on that stage.. that made me feel old and out of sync. Is it me? So maybe I am guilty of getting some pleasure here .. but I am going to take a break.. at least till the reviews come out."



This was not a "casting choice" in my opinion. I think the revival was produced for Beanie Feldstein. There were no auditions that I heard of. It's her show, created for her.

The audience is not in a "twilight zone." They are enjoying the show from a different point of view: nostalgia and memories.

So I do think it is you. Your perspective and expectations are coming from a totally different place. Think of it this way: you visit a city you traveled to 50 years ago. Of course, things will be different: the restaurant you ate in has food that is not as good, the park has flowers that are not as colorful, the hotel is now run down.... but the memories and just being there make the experience a happy one, not a depressing one.

It's the lens through which you decide to view the event: happy or depressed. This FUNNY GIRL is apparently being enjoyed by many of those who are celebrating the songs they remember and the story they know instead of nitpicking as professionals are.

If you cannot accept this, be disappointed. is the glass half full or half empty. THIS audience is filled with people who see the glass as full.... and they are thrilled.

"

Lorna,  what a load of condescending baloney from you.  

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 5:54pm

Azúcar! said: "Lorna Joe said: "DAME said: "jkcohen626 said: "I have been one to believe that some (not all) of you take unnecessary pleasure in attempting to rip Beanie apart and seem to spend all of your time coming back to this thread to constantly trash talk this show.

BUT, I do agree that it's silly to suggest that Funny Girl isn't about songs. It's a mid-tier show that was elevated to a classic by great songs and an INCREDIBLE performance."

Well.. there is some sadness on my part on letting myself spend close to $200.00 a ticket and being so disappointed. There is some sadness in me of waiting years and years for a first class revival of this show and being assaulted with this casting choice... and then not having it justified. There is some sadness in me of being part of a twilight zone kind of audience that was hooting and hollering at everything on that stage.. that made me feel old and out of sync. Is it me? So maybe I am guilty of getting some pleasure here .. but I am going to take a break.. at least till the reviews come out."



This was not a "casting choice" in my opinion. I think the revival was produced for Beanie Feldstein. There were no auditions that I heard of. It's her show, created for her.

The audience is not in a "twilight zone." They are enjoying the show from a different point of view: nostalgia and memories.

So I do think it is you. Your perspective and expectations are coming from a totally different place. Think of it this way: you visit a city you traveled to 50 years ago. Of course, things will be different: the restaurant you ate in has food that is not as good, the park has flowers that are not as colorful, the hotel is now run down.... but the memories and just being there make the experience a happy one, not a depressing one.

It's the lens through which you decide to view the event: happy or depressed. This FUNNY GIRL is apparently being enjoyed by many of those who are celebrating the songs they remember and the story they know instead of nitpicking as professionals are.

If you cannot accept this, be disappointed. is the glass half full or half empty. THIS audience is filled with people who see the glass as full.... and they are thrilled.

"

Lorna, what a load of condescending baloney from you."

 

Yes, condescending baloney.  And Lorna, putting all of your posts in BOLD does not give them any importance.

 

[east side story]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 6:45pm

Bwaygurl2 said: "WestEndGal said:

Do people not understand how passe Lea Michele is? She was an "IT GIRL" ten years ago."

Closer to 15.

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 6:50pm

said: 
"Lorna, what a load of condescending baloney from you."

"Yes, condescending baloney. And Lorna, putting all of your posts in BOLD does not give them any importance."

Condescending? I am being magnanimous. I don't see the point in being a naysayer or a vocal shamer. I see the bright side. 

I put my replies in bold so they are distinguishable from the post to which I am replying and more visible. 

Updated On: 4/21/22 at 06:50 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 6:55pm

Shoo BP. Shoo.

[alovingfan]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 6:58pm

Lorna Joe said: "Azúcar! said:
Lorna, what a load of condescending baloney from you."

Yes, condescending baloney. And Lorna, putting all of your posts inBOLDdoes not give them any importance.

Condescending? I am being magnanimous. I don't see the point in being a naysayer or a vocal shamer. I see the bright side.

I put my replies in bold so they are distinguishable from the post to which I am replying and more visible."

Perhaps you should take a minute and read what you are writing.  You come off as full of it.  

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 7:05pm

Lorna Joe said: "said:
"Lorna, what a load of condescending baloney from you."

"Yes, condescending baloney. And Lorna, putting all of your posts inBOLDdoes not give them any importance."

Condescending? I am being magnanimous. I don't see the point in being a naysayer or a vocal shamer. I see the bright side.

It's not called being a "naysayer" or a "shamer". It's called being a REALIST.

I put my replies in bold so they are distinguishable from the post to which I am replying and more visible."

Have you not noticed that you are the only person on here doing that?

 

Updated On: 4/21/22 at 07:05 PM

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 7:06pm

alovingfan said: 

Perhaps you should take a minute and read what you are writing. You come off as full of it."

Sorry about that... I am giving you my honest opinion why i think audiences are loving this revival. My thoughts do not necessarily indicate that I would love it, I could not sit though this even if Streisand time traveled to do it... I hated MY FAIR LADY with Lauren Ambrose AND loved CHAPLIN with Rob McClure. 

OK, why do YOU think audiences are loving it? I still maintain they are thrilled with the nostalgic spirit of the production. Maybe YOU would not be, but they apparently are. 

 

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 7:13pm

bwayphreak234 said: "Have you not noticed that you are the only person on here doing that?"

I wish they all would do it. I have a hard time distinguishing the replies from the original post. It's confusing and bold font helps. A different color for the replies would help too but that is not an option. 

Hey lighten up! Why so grumpy and grouchy? 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 7:32pm

I truly hope the Moderators block or deactivate Lorna Joe’s account.  So many guidelines are not only being broken but the BOLD writing is beyond annoying as all ph**k. 

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 7:41pm

WestEndGal said: "Lunalaaaaaaaa said: "WestEndGal said: "Okay, so which Beanie hater in this thread has submitted the blind item to Deuxmoi about her vocal abilities?! Money on it being someone here lol!

I haven’t seen Beanie in the show but I did see Funny Girl with Sheridan, and she was fabulous despite having a mediocre (relatively) voice, so I don’t necessarily think it’s a requisite for this show and it’s material that Fanny is an absolute top tier singer.

I still think Lea Michele would have been amazing in this role, and I have no shame in saying that. I’m not a particular Lea fan but she has the voice and acting skills imo - she had really good comic chops in Glee.


"

LOL I said the same thing about that Deuxmoi post. But whoever wrote it isn't exactly wrong..."

Haha, maybe! I did think it was a bit mean spirited for someone to send that in as a blind item though!"

Same! I feel like DM is getting more popular, it's possible her team is likely to find it. 

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 7:41pm

WestEndGal said: "Lunalaaaaaaaa said: "WestEndGal said: "Okay, so which Beanie hater in this thread has submitted the blind item to Deuxmoi about her vocal abilities?! Money on it being someone here lol!

I haven’t seen Beanie in the show but I did see Funny Girl with Sheridan, and she was fabulous despite having a mediocre (relatively) voice, so I don’t necessarily think it’s a requisite for this show and it’s material that Fanny is an absolute top tier singer.

I still think Lea Michele would have been amazing in this role, and I have no shame in saying that. I’m not a particular Lea fan but she has the voice and acting skills imo - she had really good comic chops in Glee.


"

LOL I said the same thing about that Deuxmoi post. But whoever wrote it isn't exactly wrong..."

Haha, maybe! I did think it was a bit mean spirited for someone to send that in as a blind item though!"

Same! I feel like DM is getting more popular, it's possible her team is likely to find it. 

[kaybay2]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 8:33pm

fbueller said: "Surprisingly, Liza Minelli has provided an early and brief review of the new ‘Funny Girl’ revival. When asked her thoughts on the new production, Liza said “I hope [Feldstein] had a good time making it.”"

Just saw something funny, from Entertainment in 2020:

When asked to comment on the film (Judy), the publication indicates Minnelli expressed no interest in seeing it despite Zellweger’s frontrunner status in the current Best Actress Oscar race. Still, she said: “I hope [Zellweger] had a good time making it.”

 

Updated On: 4/21/22 at 08:33 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 8:34pm

Well at least Lorna Joe piqued my curiosity about the origin of their username derived from the 1964 musical, "Golden Boy" - - - based on Clifford Odets play (which he also adapted for the musical stage) and starred Sammy Davis, Jr. as "Joe" and Paula Wayne as his very white lover "Lorna". I am impressed as for 1964 that is very daring casting for even a Broadway show at that time....

[OldTheatreLover]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 9:26pm

Lorna Joe said: "Trish2 said: "Lorna Joe? One of the Petticoat Junction Bradley sisters? Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, Bettie Jo, and now Lorna Joe? "

Oh I also saw FUNNY GIRL in 1964 with Barbra Streisand it was nothing special.... the best show I EVER saw was HELLO DOLLY with Carol Channing in the early 1960s (the dates elude me)."

YettaTelebenda2 said: "I saw Barbra Streisand in it in 1964, I still have that Playbill! I was not blown away. I remember thinking: where's the spark? I will tell you this: the best show I ever saw in my entire life was Hello Dolly, in 1964?, with Carol Channing. it was exhilarating.”

Yetta and/or Lorna, just how many new accounts do you have on here??

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 10:42pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "I truly hope the Moderators block or deactivate Lorna Joe’s account. So many guidelines are not only being broken but the BOLD writing is beyond annoying as all ph**k."

I am not breaking any Terms of Service. You are angry that I have a different opinion which I very diplomatically explained. Plus, if it is so objectionable, why is bold an option available for use?

Please provide a bill of particulars and tell me what I have done that is wrong. 

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 11:00pm

OldTheatreLover said: "Lorna Joe said: "Trish2 said: "Lorna Joe? One of the Petticoat Junction Bradley sisters? Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, Bettie Jo, and now Lorna Joe? "

Oh I also saw FUNNY GIRL in 1964 with Barbra Streisand it was nothing special.... the best show I EVER saw was HELLO DOLLY with Carol Channing in the early 1960s (the dates elude me)."

YettaTelebenda2 said: "I saw Barbra Streisand in it in 1964, I still have that Playbill! I was not blown away. I remember thinking: where's the spark?I will tell you this: the best show I ever saw in my entire life was Hello Dolly, in 1964?, with Carol Channing. it was exhilarating.”

Yetta and/or Lorna, just how many new accounts do you have on here??"

I had to ditch YettaTelebenda... the CIA was hot on my trail because my grandfather, Max Telebenda, was in Times Square in August 1930 after he bought tickets for HOT RHYTHM and they were connecting the dots and trying to make him responsible for the disappearance of Supreme Court Judge Joseph Force Crater and they think I have the proof hidden... but you outed me! 

I was using DuckDuckGo.... and this OldTheaterLover goes and blows my new cover! What a tattletale! Jeeves, pass the smelling salts. 

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/21/22 at 11:06pm

CarlosAlberto said: "Well at least Lorna Joe piqued my curiosity about the origin of their username derived from the 1964 musical, "Golden Boy" - - - based on Clifford Odets play (which he also adapted for the musical stage) and starred Sammy Davis, Jr. as "Joe" and Paula Wayne as his very white lover "Lorna". I am impressed as for 1964 that is very daring casting for even a Broadway show at that time....



CarlosAlberto, GOLDEN BOY was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Paula Wayne was incredible. Sammy Davis Jr. was breathtaking!!! The cast album is on YouTube. You should listen to it.... 

Here is a sample..... tell me this does not make you weep: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yEpMHDlmf0&list=PLq01lsXqwzONpf-GYKwsgQrIqkwymyRGk&index=15

ETA: I live in Manhattan, NYC, and have a car... I drive around sometimes at night so my car battery does not go dead. The other night, I decided to drive across West 52nd Street. I was lucky enough to get there as FUNNY GIRL ended and I stopped on the left and watched the audience pour out of the August Wilson Theater. OMG, the happiness and joy on their faces! You would think Prohibition was just repealed! 

Let me know if you want me to go back with my camera.... I will take pics (with their permission) of those who are exiting the theater and willing to pose. if they are smiling, it will speak volumes. 

Updated On: 4/22/22 at 11:06 PM

[Bigserver1]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 12:40am

This thread is getting bizarre…

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 12:58am

I like the turn its taken. 

[kurtal]

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

Bigserver1 said: "This thread is getting bizarre…"

...not unlike its namesake show.