FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread — Page 93

It's harder than it seems to recast someone like Jane Lynch in this show. There are a limited number of Jewish character actresses (or Jewish-adjacent) who will sell actual tickets IF they go with a no-name as Fanny. Fran Drescher is a good idea and might be of similar name value to Jane Lynch. People like Andrea Martin, Margot Martindale, Judith Light, or Caroline Aaron won't sell to the masses. You're not going to get someone like Kathy Bates or Allison Janney to replace in this specific supporting role. Ellen Barkin?

The best hope this show has is getting the critics to re-review it and praying that the improvements get raves –– or at least good enough reviews to mount a new advertising campaign with the new Fanny front and center.

Good luck to Sonia Friedman!

The show sold well last week with Benko. Still $1.1M. Not an appreciable drop. They could promote her or give her the matinees. The real issue is building a fall advance, October - December. They need another announcement soon. And from the fine print in the ad, clearly understand by teasing the new actors.

pmensky said: "Considering a new Broadway season will be starting up in the fall, Julie Benko may have a shiny new job lined up by the time Beanie departs. Benko has had a big platform to show her talent, and after seeing her performance, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were producers and directors who’d be interested in putting her in a new show."

But I would think she’d love this show…do you think she’d be so quick to leave? 

TotallyEffed said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Not even gonna lie: I would buy a ticket to see Lea Michele take over. Probably won't happen. But, just saying.. if they're looking to make this an "event.""

Throw in Idina as her mom while you’re at it lol"

Talk about an EVENT. 

Would imagine being the full time Fanny is going to be a nice paycheck bump, so I'd imagine she stays and does 6 shows a week. 

LAINIE KAZAN

Lainie Kazan = a genius idea, and I bet shed jump to do it.

VERY eager to here any substantiation for the implication above that Beanie was let out of her contract early, ie fired. I don't buy it for a second-- why would the producers care when the show is selling well and audiences (that arent the less than 1% who post here) are liking her? Im guessing she's trying to put this nasty experience behind her, and will stay the hell away from Broadway for a long time.

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Lainie Kazan = a genius idea, and I bet shed jump to do it.

VERY eager to here any substantiation for the implication above that Beanie was let out of her contract early, ie fired. I don't buy it for a second-- why would the producers care when the show is selling well and audiences (that arent the less than 1% who post here) are liking her? Im guessing she's trying to put this nasty experience behind her, and will stay the hell away from Broadway for a long time."

When Jane Lynch co hosted The View a few weeks ago,  she said that she was leaving the show in September.. but that Beanie would remain much longer.  You can look it up.  This departure was not planned. 

Updated On: 6/15/22 at 08:23 PM

Auggie27 said: "Lanie Kazan is 82 years old. Sorry, I fight ageism daily, but that’s not the mother in this musical."

It was sentimental wishful thinking.  

I wonder if Rosie would still be interested?  

It wouldn't matter if Lainie was 102, she'd still eat it up as Fanny's mother.

Sarah Jessica Parker? I could see her giving off Jewish mama energy.

How about Andrea McArdle? They could advertise “Come see Fanny and Annie!”

I wonder if the show could make it through the holidays without having a name in the lead?