FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 88

[Penna2]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 4:16pm

Auggie27 said: 

 Feldstein does some perfectly lovely upper register work on "Who Are You Now?" and elsewhere, 

Blasting her vocals doesn't help her case. It's already a big performance, that presentational clowning and rolling down the stage in the clip suggest the size. If the show trusted her Fanny characterization more, developing its subtleties, and Mayer reined in some of the shtick, she'd score more consistently.

(Sidebar: She's really quite attractive in the "Cornet Man" costume and wig. Young, sexy, the tailored fit very flattering. And then she's made to wear some of the evening's worst outfits, especially the the "You Are Woman" gown and wig, which give her a high school musical quality. It's startlingly wrong for the seduction scene. She's supposed to attract Nicky, but she's done up like the Queen Mother. The draped shinning gold satin, the wig out of "Forum", it's just shocking. She isn't well costumed again until act two, a simple maroon dress makes grown-up Fanny look striking and sophisticated. Enough with the caftans.)

The direction pushes her to be outrageous, and then tries to turn her into a serious woman fighting for her man and career. Feldstein isn't unable to play the adult Fanny, but no one helped her stitch together the two sides of this woman, so she seems to be playing one or the other. The second act, with its one-note marriage destruction plotting, makes it more challenging. Still, if this is where the story takes her, let her get there.

I wish more people blamed Mayer for the issues in her performance. Another director would've helped shape and balance her take."

A great recap - I agree about Who Are You Now? I just wish her voice was stronger, Ramin is a tear down the house singer and it would have been even better if she could have matched him on the money notes. Still, her voice was pretty and I got teary-eyed because their voices did match well.

The costumes are atrocious - covering her up doesn't work. We know she's a big girl, dress her with some taste and consideration - as you mentioned for Cornet Man and the maroon. That pink dress would look horrid on anyone. Let's forget You Are Woman entirely.

As for the direction, which is the biggest criticism - I have to ask why then can Julie Benko play the same role with the same director and have a different result? I haven't seen Julie, sadly I might add and won't unless someone makes a boot and I get wind of it - but, from what I've read, she "acts" the role including the comedic element. She's a trained stage actress and doesn't rely on schtick. So, while I understand the criticism of Michael, why allow his lead to continue with such glaring issues, but give the standby notes to create a legitimately good, if not great, performance? Have to think some of that has to do with Beanie's capabilities. Maybe Beanie is incapable of playing a mature woman because she has never experienced being one. There is a big difference between being 28-29 and being 32-33 - not to mention training.

 

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 4:52pm

I thought the same thing as to how it was the same direction for both actresses.  Personally I don't think that 2-3 years age difference matters very much in portraying maturity on stage.  Streisand was much younger when she did the part.  However, Julie is funny, touching, excellent delivery of dialog, and a fabulous singer. I have only seen Julie --- so I can't compare with Beanie except from the various clips that are out there.  And their interpretations are so different in execution, but based on the clips the director's concept is the same.   With one actress it works and with the other, not so much.  Interesting how it plays out that way. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 5:02pm

FranklinDickson2018 said: "I thought the same thing as to how it was the same direction for both actresses. Personally I don't think that 2-3 years age difference matters very much in portraying maturity on stage. Streisand was much younger when she did the part. However, Julie is funny, touching, excellent delivery of dialog, and a fabulous singer. I have only seen Julie --- so I can't compare with Beanie except from the various clips that are out there. And their interpretations are so different in execution, but based on the clips the director's concept is the same. With one actress it works and with the other, not so much. Interesting how it plays out that way."

Streisand was born old - she was like Fanny in a lot of ways with her sheer determination. LOL. That said, there really is a difference between people in their 20s and their 30s, with many people that transition is usually major. I also think Julie's life has been so vastly different, she has different life experiences to draw from, i.e., 7 years at NYU and doing more stage work.

In any event, I don't think the differences can be entirely laid at Michael's feet. Could be he thinks he is playing to Beanie's strengths - the "reason" she was cast being her comic ability. He would be better served to "teach" her, rather than keep treading the same path that requires a laugh track in a theater. 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 6:51pm

I take your point that direction must work in synergy with the actor’s characterization. And the observation about Feldstein’s bag of facial tricks - spot on - reminded me that the production is unsuccessful at marrying early clown Fanny with the adult woman. Helen Shaw raised this in Vulture. Tapping the Brice comic persona is the stated Feldstein signature on the role. To me Mayer exploits this in his star, giving her business and shtick that undercut the much needed transition, which should begin when Nick woos her. I’m curious if the physical roll in an unattractive costume and woefully unflattering wig is as off-putting with Benko. I saw Minnie Fay where I needed to see Brice becoming a woman.
 

The arc of the evening is abrupt because glimmers of the sophisticated Brice should begin to appear in act one and develop; instead she shows up as if it all happened off stage. It’s not the actor’s age, it’s an inadequately charted and shaped journey for the character. Realistically, that’s likely a problem with both the show’s interpretation of the material and this actor’s limitations and/or unwillingness to illustrate the other sides of Brice early enough in the story. Perhaps only those who’ve seen both Fannys know how much it’s baked into the staging. We mostly hear about Benko’s vocals. I’m now curious but maybe not curious enough to spend the money.

Updated On: 6/2/22 at 06:51 PM

[Penna2]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 7:52pm

It's been awhile since I've seen the film, but I don't remember Streisand falling on the floor and found it kind of shocking tbh. Seems to me they fell back on the couch. Oh, well, can't imagine any actress doing that fall and roll gracefully, but they should have left the physical comedy in that scene to Ramin, who did it gracefully and with charm. Really cringe and why put it in an advertisement?

Besides the vocal issues, my impression of her was she never changed. A lot of musicals have holes - Phantom is a great example of that - could be why people still keep going back to see it after 30+ years. There is always something new to see and/or wonder about.

As for Julie - I was lucky to have heard some boots of her singing People, DROMP (this was on YouTube, but appears to have been pulled AGAIN), and The Music That Makes Me Dance before they were removed. Even with the poor quality, her renditions were heartfelt and beautifully sung. Not Streisand, but Benko. If I was closer than an entire continent away, I would definitely go to see her. Just can't afford another coast to coast trip to see Ramin perform.   Maybe you could get some cheap seats (which I know are expensive, even if "cheap."

[Penna2]

Posted: 6/3/22 at 12:31am

Fanny Brice singing Quainty Dainty Me

For anyone interested, just found this on YouTube - simply brilliant. You can see where a bit of the Swan number came from in the film.

Updated On: 6/3/22 at 12:31 AM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/3/22 at 11:58pm

[ozjust4]

Posted: 6/4/22 at 12:44am

Saw the show tonight and I'll be one of the contarians- I thought it was sensational and that Beanie was fabulous. Loved it and thought it was a beautiful night in the theatre. Maybe it's just me, but if it is, I'm okay with that.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/5/22 at 7:22am

Robbie2 said: ""

A girl in a rainbow bow sporting a backpack with fur lined straps? 

Cute! 

Updated On: 6/5/22 at 07:22 AM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 10:33pm

Beanie has COVID - Julie's back!  https://www.instagram.com/p/CefHUdBj724/  

[Penna2]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 11:55pm

CarlosAlberto said: "Robbie2 said: ""

A girl in a rainbow bow sporting a backpack with fur lined straps?

Cute!"

You edited this. 

Updated On: 6/7/22 at 11:55 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 12:01am

Has it been confirmed if Funny Girl has bought a slot to perform on the Tonys? Because if so this could be Julie B's big break......

[Penna2]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 12:09am

Robbie2 said: "Beanie has COVID - Julie's back!https://www.instagram.com/p/CefHUdBj724/"

[Penna2]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 12:18am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Has it been confirmed if Funny Girl has bought a slot to perform on the Tonys? Because if so this could be Julie B's big break......"

Couldn't happen to a lovelier and more talented young woman. 

Updated On: 6/7/22 at 12:18 AM

[StylishCynic]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 11:11am

My first thought to the Beanie COVID news was definitely, "Wow, this sounds like a convenient way to dodge a full, filmed TONY performance."

Almost makes you wonder how the producers would have figured out a more creative justification for the star missing a TONY broadcast if there hadn't been a lingering pandemic.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 11:30am

I would have to agree with you. However, if they are performing at the Tonys, it could be a wonderful showcase to prove that Julie deserves to be Fanny full time when Beanie departs. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 11:47am

Had they announced they were going to perform something? 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 11:49am

Jordan Catalano said: "Had they announced they were going to perform something?"

No. I asked on here last night if FG had paid for a performance slot on the Tonys but no answer yet.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 11:50am

Funny about the Covid-19 announcement this morning, as my PVR stated that "Beanie Feldstein performes" on this morning's (Tuesday) episode of Good Morning America.

[He replied]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 12:00pm

*

Updated On: 6/7/22 at 12:00 PM

[soxboy22]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 12:26pm

He replied said: "Here’s a thought: the management supports Feldstein’s performance and aren’t sneakily trying to pull a Celeste Holm country trip to showcase Benko. It’s Tuesday. Plenty of time for Feldstein to recover.


And if she doesn’t rapidly recover - absolutely zero chance Benko will perform at Tonys if there is a performance. It would be an incredibly unsupportive act to their chosen star. And frankly, which star with an ounce of dignity would allow such an unkind act?


If Feldstein remains ill -Karminloo performs."

Karimloo

Robards

Thank you.

 

 

Updated On: 6/7/22 at 12:26 PM

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 12:42pm

You’re supposed to (CDC) isolate for 5 days, Day 1 being first full day after symptoms or test. After that, you have to be masked for another full 5. So assuming they’re going by the test, she’d have to be masking still Sunday. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 1:57pm

If Beanie doesn't recover, they do "Who Taught Her Everything?" with Jared, who is Tony nominated.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 2:20pm

Is the show even performing? 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/7/22 at 2:22pm

I don't think we know for sure.   With only one performance nod.....certainly not guaranteed.