FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 86

[joevitus]

Posted: 5/30/22 at 4:38pm

blaxx said: "joevitus said: "Auggie27 said: "The production wisely realizes: failing to acknowledge 11 successful performances only makes them look inept. And dismissive about 11 happy audiences. Had the show opened with an Evita, Saigon, or Phantom schedule -- even the Murphy on one night for Midler -- this might've been spared. Or not. Hindsight is 20/40, not 20/20."

This seems to imply audiences are unhappy when Beanie performs, yet even most of the people where who trash her have acknowledged the crowd at the performances they attended was loving her performance, very vocal in their support (loud applause, etc.)."

All Broadway musicals get loud applause and all their audiences are loud in their support, please..."

Irrelevant to my point. The point is, they enjoyed it. 

[Observation]

Posted: 5/30/22 at 6:45pm

Something that also seems so off to me, when Beanie is on, there are no fun backstage photos or videos. Photos/videos seem to be OK since Julie posts videos on her TikTok. 

This just doesn't fit the narrative they were portraying at the beginning, which is that this is a dream come true for Beanie (I don't doubt that it wasn't)

I'm sure this not going as wonderful as I'm sure she (along with everyone) thought it would, is a tough pill to swallow. I also feel like American Crime Story: Impeachment didn't really take off like many had predicted. 

Hoping she bounces back and am excited to see what she does in the future. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/30/22 at 8:17pm

Observation said: "Something that also seems so off to me, when Beanie is on, there are no fun backstage photos or videos. Photos/videos seem to be OK since Julie posts videos on her TikTok.

This just doesn't fit the narrative they were portraying at the beginning, which is that this is a dream come true for Beanie (I don't doubt that it wasn't)

I'm sure this not going as wonderful as I'm sure she (along with everyone) thought it would, is a tough pill to swallow. I also feel like American Crime Story: Impeachment didn't really take off like many had predicted.

Hoping she bounces back and am excited to see what she does in the future."

Most everyone KNOWS this isn't going as expected. I think anyone who has done theater...or any job, really...finds out quickly, getting the job of your dreams often turns to drudgery and sometimes boredom even as much as you love doing the work. It is work...hard work. Keeping a character fresh is always a challenge. I know she did Hello, Dolly, but this is a whole new ballgame. And, yes, the fact that the work she has done has not been very successful overall is a bummer.

Regarding backstage stuff, one of the cast/crew is making cute videos that show up on the funnygirlbwy IG. The most recent is asking the lady dancers to show their favorite dance steps. Ramin did a video singing Don't Stop Believing with a couple of young men - not sure if they were cast - and Jane showed up.

Based on something posted here the other day, I suspect there might be issues surrounding Beanie's absences. The poster said there wasn't a viper pit, but... This despite people liking her. It's disruptive to everyone when things change - even though Julie is top notch and to many minds better - she's different and not the person everyone is expecting to be there.

This is just a personal vibe I'm having and could just be wishful thinking - not a Beanie fan - but, I don't feel her presence with the show. It's like she's disconnected herself in some way. Most everything I'm seeing these days has to do with Julie - much at her initiative. The Fanny/Rose photo is just charming. She has really embraced Fanny...not Barbra. JMO. I'm sure Beanie will be fine in the future.

 

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 5/30/22 at 9:52pm

Do you think we will have an announcement soon that Ms. Benko will be on for the two matinee shows each week?  Was last week a trial run?  I hope that this might happen . She merits it for sure.  

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 8:00am

^That seems to be what people expect.   

 

However- they aren't going to do it just because the understudy is good - or people like her more.  We don't even know if Beanie's absences have anything to do with performing 8 shows a week.  

 

I'd like to see Benko, but I don't think I'm willing to sit thru the show again. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 8:42am

dramamama611 said: "I'd like to see Benko, but I don't think I'm willing to sit thru the show again."

I share this same sentiment. I actually enjoy Funny Girl as a show itself - flawed book and all. The score is infectious and has some truly great tunes. However, this particular production, from a direction and design standpoint. is such a miss that it makes it difficult to imagine sitting through it again just to see a better lead.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 9:14am

Exactly.

[felixleiter]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 9:49am

The absences (aside from the wedding in April)  have everything to do with the role being a  too tiring for Beanie to do 8 times a week.  If you dismiss the pre-show hype about MT being in her blood/ this being her dream role/etc,  you see that the simple fact is that she is not a performer who has worked for years building up stamina to star in a multi-million dollar musical 8 times a week, let alone the psycholoigical implications of her performance being poorly regarded in a vehicle which literally has her image and likeness attached to every piece of promotion.  She is an accomplished film and television actress who has a minor background in musical theatre.   She is not someone who came up through the trenches of college, stock, regional, broadway choruses, understudies, etc. As someone else said, perhaps in one of the other threads, Minnie Fae and Fanny Brice are WILDLY different in terms the the nightly stamina requirements of the performers inhabiting those characters  And, yes,  many others with similar stories have been fortunate enough to find that they do indeed have those muscles, but the very sad fact is fact is that the titular star at the August Wilson is not the indefatigable force of nature that is needed on a nightly basis.

And yes-The Company absolutely knows that the show plays better with Benko, but the dichotomy is that Feldstein, aside from her limitations on stage, is well-liked by the company.   For their sake let's hope that marketing and creative come up with a subtle  but equitable way to navigate the next few weeks so that the balance of this run is somewhat smooth and everyone can show up and do their jobs without the drama

.

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 1:06pm

^^^ I do wonder, why the ad campaign was so Beanie oriented. They had to know there might, if not would be issues - so many other possibilities. As for the rest of the company, I suspect there might be a number of less than happy souls, but they are too professional to let it show. Someone might write a book someday on "How Not to Succeed in Producing a Musical Without Really Trying."

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 1:11pm

felixleiter said: "The absences (aside from the wedding in April) have everything to do with the role being a too tiring for Beanie to do 8 times a week. If you dismiss the pre-show hype about MT being in her blood/ this being her dream role/etc, you see that the simple fact is that she is not a performer who has worked for years building up stamina to star in a multi-million dollar musical 8 times a week, let alone the psycholoigical implications of her performance being poorly regarded in a vehicle which literally has her image and likeness attached to every piece of promotion. She is an accomplished film and television actress who has a minor background in musical theatre. She is not someone who came up through the trenches of college, stock, regional, broadway choruses, understudies, etc. As someone else said, perhaps in one of the other threads, Minnie Fae and Fanny Brice are WILDLY different in terms the the nightly stamina requirements of the performers inhabiting those characters And, yes, many others with similar stories have been fortunate enough to find that they do indeed have those muscles, but the very sad fact is fact is that the titular star at the August Wilson is not the indefatigable force of nature that is needed on a nightly basis.

And yes-The Company absolutely knows that the show plays better with Benko, but the dichotomy is that Feldstein, aside from her limitations on stage, is well-liked by the company. For their sake let's hope that marketing and creative come up with a subtle but equitable way to navigate the next few weeks so that the balance of this run is somewhat smooth and everyone can show up and do their jobs without the drama."

 

She's way in over her head and has bitten off more than she could chew. Now she's under the pressure to really deliver because her likeness is ALL OVER the ad campaign. It's not like they used a cute upside down girl on roller skates, y;know? 

 

Updated On: 5/31/22 at 01:11 PM

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 1:37pm

dramamama611 said: " ...I'd like to see Benko, but I don't think I'm willing to sit thru the show again."

I've thought about trying to catch Benko, but ultimately I can't do it. There's so little joy and excitement on that stage. I saw it a couple of days prior two Beanie's recents unscheduled absences. Aside from the fact that I half expected Beanie to call-in sick half way through "People" (she spent more time clearing her throat than singing), everyone else just seemed to be doing their job rather routinely. Lynch seemed bored, I was surprised Karimloo didn't have more stage presence (and he seemed a bit embarrassed and mechanical during his dance number). As for Grimes, it seems to me that the raves and nomination he's received are an over-compensation by well-meaning people to find something, anything, good to say about the show. He's a good dancer in a number that sticks out like a sore thumb, and the acting is just adequate (but I can't imagine anyone pulling off that ridiculous scene where he's modeling Fanny's dress).

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:24pm

Is there a party-line with Beanie's therapist that I'm missing out on? Because there's a whole lot of armchair psychoanalysis on this thread...

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:30pm

My understanding, which is, of course limited, is that the show rises to a new level with Benko. Her characterization pulls the show together - including the relationship with Nicky (Ramin). He finally has someone to play off of and sing with. (He's never danced before, so I give him perks for doing that number and doing it so well - was a show stopper when I experienced it.) When there is no chemistry, there is no chemistry - which is the case with Beanie (not just my take, but that of most of the critics). My sense is that is the problem with the entire production - no one has chemistry with Beanie. Not because of who she is as a person, but because she's working too hard to just get through the show.

As for the ads - I guess we could fudge a little bit - it could be Julie - big eyes, bright smile. Just squint a little bit. One wonders in general, though, because they painted Jane, Ramin and Jared on the wall of the theater, too. Already planning for a limited run?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:43pm

Any word about the 6/1 matinee Fanny? Tonight and tomorrow just went up on TKTS. 

[Grief]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:46pm

I felt a lot of joy and excitement from the full cast when I saw the show with Julie in it. It is a completely different show. Ramin seems absolutely delighted by her, and whether he's delighted to be playing opposite her, or delighted as Nick falling in love with Fanny, it works. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:46pm

everythingtaboo said: "Is there a party-line with Beanie's therapist that I'm missing out on? Because there's a whole lot of armchair psychoanalysis on this thread..."

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:48pm

Notice on IG that there is limited ticket availability for tonight's (5/31) performance.

Updated On: 5/31/22 at 02:48 PM

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 3:10pm

CarlosAlberto said: "everythingtaboo said: "Is there a party-line with Beanie's therapist that I'm missing out on? Because there's a whole lot of armchair psychoanalysis on this thread..."

"

Yep.  A lot of people that know nothing about nothing.  

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 3:13pm

Penna2 said: "As for the ads - I guess we could fudge a little bit - it could be Julie - big eyes, bright smile. Just squint a little bit. One wonders in general, though, because they painted Jane, Ramin and Jared on the wall of the theater, too. Already planning for a limited run?"

Jane leaves in September.  So they already have to replace all that soon. 

 

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 5:42pm

Penna2 said: "Notice on IG that there is limited ticket availability for tonight's (5/31) performance."

Does anyone know who is playing Fanny tonight? I'm seeing tickets at low as $19 (including fees) on StubHub right now. Even for rear mezzanine that seems pretty cheap. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 5:50pm

Jonathan Cohen said: "Penna2 said: "Notice on IG that there is limited ticket availability for tonight's (5/31) performance."

Does anyone know who is playing Fanny tonight? I'm seeing tickets at low as $19 (including fees) on StubHub right now. Even for rear mezzanine that seems pretty cheap."

Beanie is on.  Julie always posts on her Instagram as soon as she knows she’s going on.  Many on here follow her and post the update seconds after she’s made the announcement.  

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 5:54pm

Jonathan Cohen said: "Penna2 said: "Notice on IG that there is limited ticket availability for tonight's (5/31) performance."

Does anyone know who is playing Fanny tonight? I'm seeing tickets at low as $19 (including fees) on StubHub right now. Even for rear mezzanine that seems pretty cheap."

Nothing on Julie's IG, so assume it's Beanie. Also, this is the first time I've seen a blast on IG to buy tickets for that day's performance. Early on, they were pushing June and July to join them on Henry Street, but nothing since.

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 7:27pm

Grief said: "I felt a lot of joy and excitement from the full cast when I saw the show with Julie in it. It is a completely different show. Ramin seems absolutely delighted by her, and whether he's delighted to be playing opposite her, or delighted as Nick falling in love with Fanny, it works."

For anyone interested - Ramin and Julie have a number of contacts in their astrological charts showing both physical and emotional connections. I didn't see anything similar between him and Beanie. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 8:03pm

Penna2 said: "Grief said: "I felt a lot of joy and excitement from the full cast when I saw the show with Julie in it. It is a completely different show. Ramin seems absolutely delighted by her, and whether he's delighted to be playing opposite her, or delighted as Nick falling in love with Fanny, it works."

For anyone interested - Ramin and Julie have a number of contacts in their astrological charts showing both physical and emotional connections. I didn't see anything similar between him and Beanie."

Okay now.  Y’all gone damn creepy with all this.  I’m out.  Not looking at this thread anymore.  Y’all are creepy weirdos.  Leave these poor working actors alone.  

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 8:44pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Penna2 said: "Grief said: "I felt a lot of joy and excitement from the full cast when I saw the show with Julie in it. It is a completely different show. Ramin seems absolutely delighted by her, and whether he's delighted to be playing opposite her, or delighted as Nick falling in love with Fanny, it works."

For anyone interested - Ramin and Julie have a number of contacts in their astrological charts showing both physical and emotional connections. I didn't see anything similar between him and Beanie."

Okay now. Y’all gone damn creepy with all this. I’m out. Not looking at this thread anymore. Y’all are creepy weirdos. Leave these poor working actors alone."

Gee, creepy weirdo. How kind of you to be such a gentle person with your name calling. I I figured someone would go off on this, and here you are. Just because you don't believe in astrology, others might. Just an option for others to explore if they would like. No harm being done. Truth is - what I wrote only verifies what others have said about the connections. 

Sorry to see you go, I've always enjoyed your comments.

Also, if this is not allowed on this board, I will refrain from making further comments along these lines. Just trying to add something new to the conversation.

Updated On: 5/31/22 at 08:44 PM