#1676
Posted: 4/25/22 at 6:34pm
deleted
Updated On: 4/25/22 at 06:34 PM
FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread — Page 68
#1677
Posted: 4/25/22 at 6:46pm
They shouldve done a nation wide search for a young, funny Jewish girl who could really really SING. People were going to come out for a Funny Girl revival without a star (it's not like Beanie is some super star) and this should've been a star-making opportunity for a new actress.
#1678
Posted: 4/25/22 at 7:19pm
I almost feel as if I'm speaking out of turn asking this, as someone who is neither Jewish nor homosexual, but... is the cult of Funny Girl perhaps missing the point a bit? Funny Girl is iconic because Barbra Streisand was a rising star of both musical theatre and the pop vocal world, suddenly playing the lead in a successful show in which she originated multiple timeless pop standards. But those songs were NEW. They were the sound of popular music of the day.
Almost every one of those reviews admits that the emperor has no clothes: "Funny Girl," even with Fierstein's revamped second act, is not a great musical. It's a collection of great show tunes in a book that doesn't live up to them. The magic of the original "Funny Girl" was seeing a breakout star in her early days, making a huge popular-music sensation with songs from her new show. Even if the best Fanny Brice in the world played Fanny Brice in this "Funny Girl," lightning wouldn't strike twice. She'd still be singing "Cornet Man" in 2022 and besides Broadway buffs, no one would care. The earth would not shake like it did when Barbra did it, not because Barbra is a god among mortals but because she was the right person in the right moment with the right songs in the 1960s.
You want to talk about the next Funny Girl, you should be looking to a young breakout star appearing in a musical with mainstream crossover potential. Imagine Zendaya appearing as the lead in Lin-Manuel Miranda's next musical: THAT is the essence of Funny Girl's zeitgeist. I wish I could write something that earth-shaking and career altering, but alas: my tastes run more towards quirky than quadruple platinum.
#1679
Posted: 4/25/22 at 7:31pm
‘Funny Girl’ review: Beanie Feldstein’s Broadway show falls flat
https://nypost.com/2022/04/24/funny-girl-review-beanie-feldstein-falls-flat-on-broadway/"
These quotes though...
"Karimloo is a serviceable actor, but a glorious singer. When he starts to croon a short reprise of “People,” we silently beg him to do the whole thing."
"David Zinn’s set: a brick-lined Pringles can that repeatedly opens and closes to reveal red-velvet curtains, or a dressing room, or a stately house. It’s the stuff of coupons. The glam of showbiz is never brought to dazzling life, and we spend too much time staring at red bricks and dirty mirrors."
#1680
Posted: 4/25/22 at 7:37pm
I've said it before, but I love the dude from NY Post who reviews. He's just so blunt and rude and it's so entertaining.
#1681
Posted: 4/25/22 at 7:51pm
theatregoer3 said: "Beanie Feldstein must really be going through a lot today. I've never seen so many reviews specifically call out a lead for not being up to par for a role. Even a significant portion of the headlines themselves are about how she can't hack it.
"Beanie Feldstein attempts to scale 'Funny Girl.' She almost makes it."
"Beanie Feldstein can't fill Barbara Streisand's shoes"
"Beanie Feldstein's Broadway show falls flat"
"Beanie Feldstein struggles in Broadway revival"
I'm sure she has a great support system around her, but these kind of hurt to read."
TimeOut had my favorite as their subhead: "Beanie Feldstein falls on her Fanny."
#1682
Posted: 4/25/22 at 7:58pm
I am breathing a sigh of great relief that I was able to get a full refund for my tickets.
I purchased them at the August Wilson box office.
Effective May 1st all ticket sales will be final but they will have the option to transfer their tickets free of charge or re-sell their tickets on SeatGeek.com.
I normally do not allow reviews to sway influence my decision when deciding to spend on a ticket to a show that piques my interest, but the (almost) unanimous negative notices this production has received convinced me that my money would be better spent elsewhere.
I work too hard for my money to settle for mediocre - not at these prices.
To say I am extremely disappointed at how this production has turned out would be a grave understatement as I was very much looking forward to it.
"Opinions are very interesting because we all have different ones. You are entitled to your opinion, but that does not mean you should always give it to others, especially when your opinion is not necessarily grounded in truth, but in what you believe or want to believe."
#1683
Posted: 4/25/22 at 7:59pm
I've always wondered what Patti LuPone would've done with this role 40-45 years ago. There is a video of her singing "Don't Rain on My Parade" on YouTube. Sorry I don't have the link off the top of my head.
#1684
Posted: 4/25/22 at 8:04pm
haterobics said:
"TimeOut had my favorite as their subhead: "Beanie Feldstein falls on her Fanny."
They actually used a pull quote from that review: "The crowd goes wild," the next sentence being, "But then she starts to sing." Adam Feldman posted a screenshot of the tweet with his response, "Now THIS is chutzpah." Looks like they ended up deleting it after that.
#1685
Posted: 4/25/22 at 8:18pm
lovebwy said:
I suppose if the backers don't mind losing money, no harm."
There is zero indication so far that they are going to lose money.
#1686
Posted: 4/25/22 at 8:23pm
Wow, I have had a chance to read some of the reviews and other comments. I get the sense that many commentors wished the producers had done a more thorough casting process for the leading lady. I'm curious if the Fanny standby (Julie Benko) or the Fanny u/s (Ephie Aardema) have had a chance to play the role. Is it possible that this might be a case where the show's u/s -- s/b are better equipped to meet the demands of the role?
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1687
Posted: 4/25/22 at 8:24pm
smallworld said: "It should've been Christina Bianco this entire time, and I'll die on that hill."
It really should have been.
#1688
Posted: 4/25/22 at 8:37pm
TaffyDavenport said: "haterobics said:
"TimeOut had my favorite as their subhead: "Beanie Feldstein falls on her Fanny."
They actually used a pull quote from that review: "The crowd goes wild," the next sentence being, "But then she starts to sing." Adam Feldman posted a screenshot of the tweet with his response, "Now THIS is chutzpah." Looks like they ended up deleting it after that.
"
And to bring everything full-circle, the oft-mentioned Christina Bianco commented on his tweet.
https://twitter.com/XtinaBianco1/status/1518645685184249856
#1689
Posted: 4/25/22 at 8:45pm
Bless you for putting her schedule up. Just bought a ticket for Saturday!
#1690
Posted: 4/25/22 at 9:00pm
I want Patti Lupone to see the show and give her thoughts.
#1691
Posted: 4/25/22 at 9:22pm
On Facebook tonight, someone excerpted as a pull quote:
"She is funny enough! In places!" Jesse Green,. NY Times.
An exact quote, that doesn't even get into his reservations about the vocals on the three big Fanny hits being "merely loud." Perhaps the last word on why so many of these reviews damn with strained faint praise. And why this 28-year-old adult is being given special pleading -- in some reviews, treated like a talented teenager -- in ways others are not, including the role's originator, 7 years her junior.
"Funny Enough! In places!
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
#1692
Posted: 4/25/22 at 9:47pm
message below
Updated On: 4/26/22 at 09:47 PM
#1693
Posted: 4/25/22 at 10:06pm
BrodyFosse123 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Wow, I have had a chance to read some of the reviews and other comments. I get the sense that many commentors wished the producers had done a more thorough casting process for the leading lady. I'm curious if the Fanny standby (Julie Benko) or the Fanny u/s (Ephie Aardema) have had a chance to play the role. Is it possible that this might be a case where the show's u/s -- s/b are better equipped to meet the demands of the role?"
Where ya been, girl?! I guess you missed the memo on Julie Benko’s schedule. She’s on this ENTIRE weekend. Beanie has a wedding in the Hamptons that’s more important to her.
"
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1694
Posted: 4/25/22 at 10:11pm
BrodyFosse123 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Wow, I have had a chance to read some of the reviews and other comments. I get the sense that many commentors wished the producers had done a more thorough casting process for the leading lady. I'm curious if the Fanny standby (Julie Benko) or the Fanny u/s (Ephie Aardema) have had a chance to play the role. Is it possible that this might be a case where the show's u/s -- s/b are better equipped to meet the demands of the role?"
Where ya been, girl?! I guess you missed the memo on Julie Benko’s schedule. She’s on this ENTIRE weekend. Beanie has a wedding in the Hamptons that’s more important to her.
Thanks for the information. I had a chance TODAY to read through some of these pages. I'd be curious to know what people think of Julie Benko's performances....in comparison to the reviews of the show's leading lady.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1695
Posted: 4/25/22 at 10:21pm
Anneliese Van Der Pol was always the hill I would die on when casting this- she was the final Belle in Beauty and the Beast and she has the skills. If only she could shake the Disney Channel star stigma she could be big in the theatre world.
#1696
Posted: 4/26/22 at 12:00am
The way I'm seeing people bend over backwards to defend this casting is very weird.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdVLQJmv/
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdVLUGQG/
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdVLXyMP/
Describing Beanie's dad as a "tour account for musicians" is the downplay of the century in that third titok.
Updated On: 4/26/22 at 12:00 AM
#1697
Posted: 4/26/22 at 12:22am
Georgeanddot2 said: "I want Patti Lupone to see the show and give her thoughts."
I coud care less what Patti think of this show. She's too old to play Fanny; she's old enough to play a character not in the show, Fanny's grandmother.
#1698
Posted: 4/26/22 at 12:30am
A Director said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "I want Patti Lupone to see the show and give her thoughts."
I coud care less what Patti think of this show. She's too old to play Fanny; she's old enough to play a character not in the show, Fanny's grandmother.
"
Past your bedtime grandpa
#1699
Posted: 4/26/22 at 1:12am
A Director said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "I want Patti Lupone to see the show and give her thoughts."
I coud care less what Patti think of this show. She's too old to play Fanny; she's old enough to play a character not in the show, Fanny's grandmother.
"
Absolutely no one has suggested she Patti play Fanny now. You never contribute anything to this board except negativity.
#1700
Posted: 4/26/22 at 1:34am
Honestly Patti would SLAY this role her at current age and probably sell out that theater.
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