FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 68

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 6:34pm

deleted

Updated On: 4/25/22 at 06:34 PM

[Georgeanddot2]

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.

[darquegk]

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.

[fbueller]

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."

[RippedMan]

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. 

[haterobics]

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."

[White_Lotus]

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. 

[fosterfan2]

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.

[TaffyDavenport]

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.

 

[joevitus]

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.

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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?

[George in DC]

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.

 

[MemorableUserName]

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

 

 

[Deedee23]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 8:45pm

Bless you for putting her schedule up. Just bought a ticket for Saturday!

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 9:00pm

I want Patti Lupone to see the show and give her thoughts.

[Auggie27]

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! 

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 9:47pm

message below

Updated On: 4/26/22 at 09:47 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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.



"

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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.  

 

[Phillytheatreguy10]

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. 

[Georgeanddot2]

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

[A Director]

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.

 

[Georgeanddot2]

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

 

[KFC1991]

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. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/26/22 at 1:34am

Honestly Patti would SLAY this role her at current age and probably sell out that theater.