FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 83

[JasonC3]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 4:38pm

Haven't dropped into this thread for a long while.  Nice to see nothing has changed,

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 4:48pm

With regard to Sheridan Smith, she was the original Elle Woods in the West End production of Legally Blonde. I think the general consensus across the pond is that her voice has deteriorated over time (much like Menzel’s over here) due to misuse and some personal troubles. I only mention Menzel because at the time of Legally Blonde, Smith was about on par as their equivalent. Her voice has lost some polish, but it was also no secret over there when she missed a stint in Funny Girl that her father was ill and passed during her run and she took it very hard- it was fairly well documented. She also has spoken publicly about her struggles with mental health and alcohol abuse in 2016 and she has since sought help and has even been diagnosed with a genetic disease. I doubt it was ever in the cards for her to transfer should it come over here given the lack of her name recognition here as well as her personal issues at that time. Anyway, just wanted to mention that because at times the criticisms of her lack of ability here also lacks context. She is a performer with a large fan base in the UK due to other television and stage work and also had starring roles under her belt which garnered her 2 Olivier Awards (as well as a nom for Funny Girl) far before Fanny Brice, so comparing Beanie to her, again, is misguided as to their levels of experience and ability. 

Updated On: 5/20/22 at 04:48 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 5:39pm

Sheridan Smith in the 2010 London production of LEGALLY BLONDE:

 

[tthomas76]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 7:52am

We have tickets to next Saturday at 8pm.  (if anyone is interested hit me up)   We are not going.  Trying to sell our tickets.  If they don't sell and by some reason one of the four above the title is out, can we get our money back by contacting SeatGeek? 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 7:54am

tthomas76 said: "We have tickets to next Saturday at 8pm. (if anyone is interested hit me up) We are not going. Trying to sell our tickets. If they don't sell and by some reason one of the four above the title is out, can we get our money back by contacting SeatGeek?"

Why wait?  Try to get a refund now.  Many have been successful on getting refunds on their previously purchased tickets.  

[tthomas76]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 8:17am

I did. They have been awful to work with.  They told me their whole line about after April 30th.  I have sold four of my 7 so far on the resale thing on SeatGeek but the other 3 so far haven’t.  

[Nycat63]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 9:42am

tthomas76 said: "I did. They have been awful to work with. They told me their whole line about after April 30th. I have sold four of my 7 so far on the resale thing on SeatGeek but the other 3 so far haven’t. "

They are truly awful.  Had to cancel a trip (after April 30) and got full refunds for other shows that don’t use SeatGeek with zero issues. Jujamcyn won’t let SeatGeek refund.  I’m surprised and happy for you that you sold your tickets on SeatGeek because I was forced to price mine higher than face and higher than the box office, which suddenly had tons of seats left.   Ended up taking a major loss on stub hub. Good luck with the rest of your tickets!!

Updated On: 5/21/22 at 09:42 AM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 9:51am

When we were going, the weekend before my partner got exposed to COVID while out of town, but I still wanted to go. After a horrendous experience with TM with Darren Criss' Christmas show, I opted to skip SeatGeek and went to Jujamcyn, found their customer service email, and explained my case. They went ahead and refunded one of our tickets. (My guess is because we bought good seats and that single could resell at a higher rate, but I didn't ask.)

[Nycat63]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 10:00am

everythingtaboo said: "When we were going, the weekend before my partner got exposed to COVID while out of town, but I still wanted to go. After a horrendous experience with TM with Darren Criss' Christmas show, I opted to skip SeatGeek and went to Jujamcyn, found their customer service email, and explained my case. They went ahead and refunded one of our tickets. (My guess is because we bought good seats and that single could resell at a higher rate, but I didn't ask.)"

I did the same. No luck for me (I also had great seats but I had a pair not a single).  They really didn’t sell as well as they made it appear - lots of box office seats were held back at least for shows after April - so they were trying to sell what they were sitting on rather than taking back more, and mine only sold on stubhub because I took a $100 loss per ticket.  😡
 

 

[dwirth]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 11:21am

Some who saw it won't share the opinion - but the London Michael Mayer/Sheridan Smith production I saw in 2016 is at the top of the "worst things I've seen" list - going back 40+ years. Jaw droppingly bad from boring book to lackluster star (though the British seemd to love her).

[tthomas76]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 11:44am

Nycat63 said: "tthomas76 said: "I did. They have been awful to work with. They told me their whole line about after April 30th. I have sold four of my 7 so far on the resale thing on SeatGeek but the other 3 so far haven’t. "

They are truly awful. Had to cancel a trip (after April 30) and got full refunds for other shows that don’t use SeatGeek with zero issues. Jujamcyn won’t let SeatGeek refund. I’m surprised and happy for you that you sold your tickets on SeatGeek because I was forced to price mine higher than face and higher than the box office, which suddenly had tons of seats left. Ended up taking a major loss on stub hub. Good luck with the rest of your tickets!!"

Thanks!! Yes, I was lucky selling the four.  They were on the side.  The 3 I have left are in mid center orchestra on the aisle and great seats.  I HATE that SeatGeek won’t let me offer the tickets for a lower cost.  That’s complete BS.  I also listed them on Stubhub and figure I’ll end up taking a loss.  I was hoping that because it’s the Saturday 8pm show during the holiday weekend I might stand a chance.  So far no.  

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 11:58am

According to Twitter, Julie is on for both shows today.

https://twitter.com/JujujulieBee/status/1528037554326577154/photo/1

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 12:10pm

GlindatheGood22 said: "According to Twitter, Julie is on for both shows today.

https://twitter.com/JujujulieBee/status/1528037554326577154/photo/1"

If you have a chance go today - Don't miss her - Julie Benko is the ''greater star''  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 12:46pm

"The story of is she in/isn't she in seemed to never stop."

 

????????? 

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 1:13pm

Going on Friday, June 3 - kinda hoping I get to see Benko!

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 2:02pm

BroadwayBen said: "This is beginning to feel like exactly what happened in London...Sheridan suddenly began missing many performances, and if I'm recalling correctly, her understudy went on for weeks. The story of is she in/isn't she in seemed to never stop. This all seems eerily familiar. "

She had missed two unannounced performances. Jumping the gun a little bit there.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 2:15pm

n2nbaby said: "BroadwayBen said: "This is beginning to feel like exactly what happened in London...Sheridan suddenly began missing many performances, and if I'm recalling correctly, her understudy went on for weeks. The story of is she in/isn't she in seemed to never stop. This all seems eerily familiar. "

She had missed two unannounced performances. Jumping the gun a little bit there."

LOL - she was out for the last weekend in April 29 - May 1 yea for a friend's wedding...now 3 weeks later out for this weekend so far last night and both shows today for whatever reason??? 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 3:14pm

That’s 3 back to back. Isn’t the logical reason a positive Covid test?  It’s running through Broadway again. If the Sunday matinee is number 4, we’ll know more.

FG is not on TKTS tonight. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 3:42pm

Auggie27 said: "That’s 3 back to back. Isn’t the logical reason a positive Covid test? It’s running through Broadway again. If the Sunday matinee is number 4, we’ll know more.

FG is not on TKTS tonight."

It’s not COVID as if it was, Equity requires an immediate announcement must be issued as it’s a mandatory 10 day quarantine which means she’d be out and ticket buyers need to be made aware she’s not in the show.  

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 4:30pm

Bettyboy72 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "LOL - she was out for the last weekend in April 29 - May 1 yea for a friend's wedding...now 3 weeks later out for this weekend so far last night and both shows today for whatever reason???"

Geez. She has a good excuse - her brother is in town. Can’t anyone hang out with their sibling without judgment? Geez. "

When you have star billing you don’t call in because a relative is in town. You can hang with them before and after the show."

BrodyFosse123 is being sarcastic, I think.

Re: both Covid and relative - Ramin was announced immediately with 2 inconclusive tests and out for ten days. Also, he didn't take time off when his wife flew in from London. I wonder if there was some negative talk that reached her at the Drama League affair yesterday and blew her mental state. The photo of her doesn't appear that she's very happy. Looks angry. Interesting my picture of Fanny Brice in a similar dress was removed. 

In all fairness, the show may be getting to her physically. She's on stage most of the time. I know Phantom uses alternates for 2 shows a week. Understandably it's a different type of show and there are no real "stars" as the draw, but Christine is on stage for about 85% of the show and the role is very physical/demanding. Just a thought. Maybe they will give Julie a regular schedule - Friday nights, Wednesday matinees to take the pressure off.

The good news for people who get the standby is they will get the better show.

Updated On: 5/21/22 at 04:30 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 4:55pm

I thought the AEA stipulation applied to the prior era, when vax status of the company alerts were consistent with the audience entrance requirement, now curtailed. But it makes sense for it to continue. It’s been confusing since NYC regulations and Broadway’s do not always line up; audiences still must mask but the city doesn’t require it as policy elsewhere. 
 

So thanks. Feldstein’s cancellations on a day of performance basis do not seem Covid related. 

[Penna2]

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

There was another photo I posted of Fanny as Baby Snooks. Here is another in a different pose, but the same dress. Which was the point. I suggested people might think it was mean, but I dunno. Beanie is playing Fanny and this is a photo of Fanny in a similar outfit.

[ImAProphet]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 6:29pm

Julie Benko is on again tomorrow per her IG.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 6:36pm

https://twitter.com/JujujulieBee/status/1528136369314340865

Julie again tomorrow. I'm assuming it's not COVID, if they're informing the understudy on a performance-by-performance basis.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/21/22 at 6:45pm

GlindatheGood22 said: "https://twitter.com/JujujulieBee/status/1528136369314340865

Julie again tomorrow. I'm assuming it's not COVID, if they're informing the understudy on a performance-by-performance basis."

Also, Julie is Beanie’s standby, not understudy.  She isn’t in the show.  She only performs the role of Fanny Brice when Beanie is out.  Standbys generally only get a few hours notice unless it’s a scheduled run (Beanie on a scheduled vacation, etc).