FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 75

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 11:40pm

Hey all, let's all block Bea- er Lorna Joe and never quote her again 

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 1:20am

Sutton Ross said: "Hey all, let's all block Bea- er Lorna Joe and never quote her again"

Thanks Sutton Rose, I appreciate the friendly atmosphere and the warmth... not to make it about me, but I love acceptance of diversity in all forms, which includes different opinions. 

I had a difficult road as a teen, being a transgender during a confusing time when that was not even discussed. I was born a girl, identified as a boy and still liked boys so I suppose I was gay... but I was fluid and reverted to identifying as a girl later in life.

I dedicated my first book to that boy who got lost inside me: Maurice. He deserved better.... but now at 75 I just take the attitude that it was what it was. 

I love this forum so thanks for the hospitality. Cheers! 

 

 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 10:35am

Alecohanian said: "The addition of bagels to private Schwartz's belt is just not necessary. Teetering into distasteful lol. 
 

There is plenty to enjoy but I wouldn't spend anything over $150 for my next ticket."

Thanks for such a thorough, thoughtful review! Two quick notes on these two parts:

First, I can't find any good clips or pictures of Barbara in Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat, but Mimi Hines seems to have a chain of bagels hanging from her belt in this clip of her doing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czEO1snXAUc 

I would say that that whole song only works with a Jewish actress, which Feldstein, Benko, and Aardema all are. I'm sure it's been sung by goyim thousands of times, including Hines and Sheridan Smith (to the best of my knowledge), but I would feel pretty uncomfortable with one singing it in this production (luckily, so would the production team, it seems). 

Second, I 100% agree. I had a great time and definitely want to see it again with Benko after seeing it with Feldstein, but I can't fathom paying some of the prices being asked for this show. 

 

[Alecohanian]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 12:01pm

Thank you for supplying this video!!! I have search so long for a good capture of the original staging of this number. Much appreciated. I also appreciate your sentiments regarding this production!

[joevitus]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 12:23pm

Just as I don't like the viciousness towards Beanie, I think Lorna Joe's swipes at Julie are equally bad and childish. She's an actual person. She's given a performance people loved. Why trash or downplay that? It pits two people in the same show against each other. Why?

Too many people here seem to have had their personalities formed through repeated viewings of All About Eve.

[Lorna Joe]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 4:28pm

joevitus said: "Just as I don't like the viciousness towards Beanie, I think Lorna Joe's swipes at Julie are equally bad and childish. She's an actual person."

How about the constant swipes at me? Does that matter? Is that not childish? Am I not an actual person? I find it funny and take it all in good humor, but perhaps all the charientisms should be viewed under the same umbrella and they should not be cherry picked. 

Have a nice day. 

 

[steven22]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 4:44pm

I'm trying to exchange my tickets for this Friday because Ramin is out but seat geek won't allow me to do that. Is there a phone number I can call? 
 

I was under the impression because Ramin is above the title I can exchange. 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 5:19pm

The show remains on TKTS tonight, Tuesday, 5/3. Anyone seeking seats, an opportunity. Feldstein back with the Nick standby.
 
Curious to track the production’s use of discounts in weeks ahead, this being the first full week after the less than fully endorsing reviews. I get it: Not fair to count this one, a costar out. 

Updated On: 5/3/22 at 05:19 PM

[Erik3]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 7:06pm

I have no stake in the Beanie fight and am certainly no vocal expert - I found her perfectly charming and felt she held her own in a role with impossible shoes to fill. Though I would have liked to see Ramin, I thought Jeremiah James did a great job as Nick - in what was apparently his Broadway debut, no less! All in all, a very enjoyable evening, and I would consider seeing it again. 

For those evaluating ticketing options, we saw in the front row to the right - the two seats closest to the aisle. These were labeled as "partial view," but frankly, I could see everything. 

[goldenboy]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 12:20am

I caught Funny Girl tonite.    I hate to beat a dead horse as I was rooting for Beannie.. but I threw out $179 to uncaring producers so  I feel I'm entitled. 

Jerimiah James  the understudy Nick Arnstein was impressive and dreamy. They should have called it Dreamy Gambling Man. The lead was out with Covid but the understudy was very impressive.

 

Beannie not so much. She's not very funny which is the first surprise. Cause I thought at least she would bring that. She plays young Fanny like a slow child. Her laugh reminds me of Ernestina Semple in Hello Dolly which would be a better fit for her. Or even Agnes Gooch. But Beannie plays an annoying girl. Not a funny girl.

When she sings "I'm the greatest Star" She doesn't seem convincing she seems delusional. Straight jackets anyone? When Mrs. Strakosh is surprised she makes it to the Ziegfeld Follies, so am I!!!

She doesn't have the acting range either. She runs the gamut of emotions from A to C when A to Z are needed. Even if she had A to G.. it just isn't enough. 

At it's core Annoying. Girl .........I mean  Funny Girl disappoints

Did the producer or the director not realize she's not particularly likeable?  Can't really act so well? Is not funny? These are professionals. No one caught this?

I  an angry at this lost opportunity for so many other talented deserving performers. I am angry that the audience is diserviced by this core miscasting. Heck even Pamela Anderson who is doing fine  work in Chicago would have been better.  And funnier.

The cast of Paradise Square is so talented that you could plunk anyone from there  male or female and they would be a better Fanny Brice. (Mind you Paradise Square is a  convoluted  dull musical but that cast was SUBLIME) but thats another review.

I just don't get this casting. 

 

I want my $179 back. But that is not happening. 

Catch  A Strange Loop! Fantastic. Even Pamela Anderson in Chicago. Stay away from this dreck.  

 

 

Updated On: 5/4/22 at 12:20 AM

[Trish2]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 5:11pm

FUNNY GIRL up again at TKTS for tonight.  $108.00 - $133.00

Perhaps Karimloo's shared top billing sells the show more than one would have thought. (considering he's still out)

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 5:12pm

I believe he is back next Tuesday.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 6:24pm

He's the only lead that can sing and people like talent so yup, makes sense people bailed and it's on TKTS. 

[CookieBroadway]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 10:59pm

Sutton Ross said: "He's the only lead that can sing and people like talent so yup, makes sense people bailed and it's on TKTS."

I have tickets in July. I have no idea who will be Fanny. I look forward to seeing it. I love the music. Is "Who Are You Now" in this version? 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 11:02pm

CookieBroadway said: "Sutton Ross said: "He's the only lead that can sing and people like talent so yup, makes sense people bailed and it's on TKTS."

I have tickets in July. I have no idea who will be Fanny. I look forward to seeing it. I love the music. Is "Who Are You Now" in this version?"

Yes it is.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 9:26am

CookieBroadway said: "Sutton Ross said: "He's the only lead that can sing and people like talent so yup, makes sense people bailed and it's on TKTS."

I have tickets in July. I have no idea who will be Fanny. I look forward to seeing it. I love the music. Is "Who Are You Now" in this version?"

Fanny sings a short version after she opens the show with “hello, gorgeous”, and she sings it as a duet with Nick Arnstein towards the end of the show.  Only “Find Yourself a Man” has been cut from the original Broadway score and the only song added from the 1968 film adaptation is the song “Funny Girl.” 

[Papi2013]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 6:00pm

Back on TKTS tonight.  I guess it is a regular.  But everything is up at the booth this week. Except Wicked and Hamilton.

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 8:19pm

CookieBroadway said: "Sutton Ross said: "He's the only lead that can sing and people like talent so yup, makes sense people bailed and it's on TKTS."

I have tickets in July. I have no idea who will be Fanny. I look forward to seeing it. I love the music. Is "Who Are You Now" in this version?"

It is and it's a duet. Just lovely. Ramin also gets to sing some of People. Nicely done. Best song of the show IMO.

 

[Deedee23]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 8:38pm

I might take up the TKTS offer one of these days so I can see Beanie. I've only seen Julie so far and she was divine. Does anyone know when we will be blessed with Ephie Aardema's Fanny? Does she have any confirmed dates?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 9:08pm

Deedee23 said: "I might take up the TKTS offer one of these days so I can see Beanie. I've only seen Julie so far and she was divine. Does anyone know when we will be blessed with Ephie Aardema's Fanny? Does she have any confirmed dates?"

Julie Benko is the standby therefore is the main person to step in for Beanie.  Ephie will only go on as Fanny if Julie is unable to.  

[Deedee23]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 10:02pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Deedee23 said: "I might take up the TKTS offer one of these days so I can see Beanie. I've only seen Julie so far and she was divine. Does anyone know when we will be blessed with Ephie Aardema's Fanny? Does she have any confirmed dates?"

Julie Benko is the standby therefore is the main person to step in for Beanie. Ephie will only go on as Fanny if Julie is unable to."

Ooh okay I see. I never really understood the priority in standby vs understudy. Thanks!

[Up In One]

Posted: 5/6/22 at 3:45pm

We saw the Tuesday night show with Beanie fresh from 4 days off playing against understudy Jeremiah James as Nick Arnstein. The reviews and the boards helped us go in with lowered expectations – I’ve never seen so many instructional posts telling people how they need to react to Beanie’s performance. We were non-plussed, this is definitely not a show to run back to, nor one that will be memorable except for the head shrugging Fanny casting choice. This had to be the most unimaginative staging of a musical we’ve seen in a long time. The direction, costumes, sets and choreography (with the exception of the tap dancing) were uninspired. The director did not help Beanie with any of the magic we’ve come to expect from our best directors. Actors enter, head down stage and exit – almost on par with an Encores staging. This production’s idea of a Ziegfeld Follies number reflects poor historical investigation and an even poorer budget. The tap moments were the only times the entire audience let out an organic, spontaneous, unanimous roar. Until Jared Grimes first tap routine the audience was pretty quiet with the exception of pockets of Beanie fans. I will say by the end of the show the audience was more one with appreciation, but this was not a tear the house down LuPone in Gypsy performance or an emotional Light in the Piazza, Violet or The Bands Visit performance. It was all about whether Beanie would get through it, and that she does, but not without showing us how hard she’s working. There were a lot of out of breath moments that carried into her songs. It was very much in keeping with reality shows and social media culture. It’s not about the show and being transported into a character’ world. I think I get what the appeal is about Beanie and her fans, I too might have blinders on and be more forgiving if it was a star I was crazy about and enjoy it just for seeing my favorite star try Broadway. But I have no frame of reference for Beanie’s previous performances. I saw Lady Bird but have no memory of her. I saw Hello Dolly and remembered the Minnie Fay part, but it was barely a cameo. What I saw was young actress with an indistinct, very nasal, and at times screechy voice lean into the comedy of the role which meant she was all in on broad schmaltzy schtick. A majority of the songs in Funny Girl do not propel the plot so we can’t get lost in focusing on lyrics and character delivery. These songs require a singer who can embellish the songs with style and craft and knowing emotion – inner monologues – not karaoke turns. If she had attempted to put her own spin on the songs, we might be having a different conversation, but nothing was changed musically for this new take of giving the comic priority. Aside from the fact she plays too young for the mature Fanny and too old for the young Fanny, she just doesn’t have the acting or singing chops to elevate this “and then I wrote” or “and then I did this” almost 3-hour cavalcade. I was hoping for a new take on the show but what we got was a very safe, lackluster staging of a problematic show with a few great songs – epic songs – without the right performer to deliver what would have been the nights only saving grace. Styne would not be happy.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 5/6/22 at 7:25pm

What a shame. This could be a really fun, entertaining show with someone who could more easily handle the score. And all the cutsy mugging- just a disaster. After this, I doubt there will be another major revival in my lifetime. Oh well. 

It's what comes of participation trophy culture. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/7/22 at 3:06am

BrodyFosse123 said: "Yeah no, her family has money and connections. There's no bootstraps involved. Didn't people say on here that she didn't even audition?

The revival was mounted for Beanie. You don’t audition when you’re the sure thing.Jane Lynch was offered the role of Mrs. Brice so she also didn’t audition."

From his interviews - I believe Ramin was cast a couple of years ago. Streisand called him on Facetime to do a concert with her at Hyde Park. A couple of weeks later, his agents heard about FG being produced thought he should audition. Before that happened, they called him.

 

[BarnabyTucker]

Posted: 5/7/22 at 4:03pm

A bit of hot take but what if the theater girl fans who are rallying for Beanie on TikTok and Twitter are just seeing themselves in her?  Like the idea that you being mediocre won't stop you from being a leading lady on Broadway.

In a world where every college is creating a BFA musical theater program to cash in on the "me generation's" collective ego, perhaps fans feel like the bar is being lowered so that they have a shot at being center stage.