FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread — Page 94

When Streisand left Funny Girl, Mimi Hines kept it going quite nicely for what? A year? A year and a half? In any case the show is THE STAR here. Let audiences just adore Julie Benko (and they will). I hope it isn't Lea Michele or similar. I think Benko would be amazing to continue in this. I think also for the "star" they could get a big star for Mrs. Brice. Like the used to do for "Showboat" or "Carousel". Get a big name for Captain Andy or the Starkeeper.

I think if the plan were for Benko to replace Feldstein, they would be painting a different narrative, i.e. one in which they sell the understudy becoming the star. If Beanie wants an early out and they thought Benko could replace her, why wait until September? I instead suspect they are eyeing someone (a name) who isn't available until the fall.

Bette's Turban said: "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."

She had a year-long contract; she also certainly had opt-outs in it. I know shes leaving early (I'm guessing her reception by the Broadway community has sent her running), but thats different than the producers firing her, giving her three months to finish, because she isnt well liked by the Broadway nerds in these parts. I dont believe for one second the producers care one iota what these boards are sniping about so long as the show is selling well, which it has with and without her.

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Bette's Turban said: "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."

She had a year-long contract; she also certainly had opt-outs in it. I know shes leaving early (I'm guessing her reception by the Broadway community has sent her running), but thats different than the producers firing her, giving her three months to finish, because she isnt well liked by the Broadway nerds in these parts. I dont believe for one second the producers care one iota what these boards are sniping about so long as the show is selling well, which it has with and without her."

Erm, her reviews were bad and the show got 1 Tony nomination. There’s a bigger picture here than some message board not liking Beanie as Fanny. Beanie has sunk the show.

If they're going the star casting route, Rachel Bloom as Fanny Brice would be amazing!

bk said: "Of course, she had a year contract. Of course, the producers didn't fire her, for God's sake. "

You say this (and its of course true) but then we have people posting on here that Beanie sunk the show. Sunk, I guess, meaning "playing to full houses and adoring audiences"? I didnt love this show but the problem wasn't Beanie, it was the almost-cruel direction and a creaky, unsupportable book. What clicked in the 60s isn't gonna click today. AND YET the show is doing well! The idea that Beanie sunk it, or is being chased out so someone else can come and save it, is delusional.

Her TV series got picked up so she’s unavailable atm

bk said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "bk said: "Of course, she had a year contract. Of course, the producers didn't fire her, for God's sake. "

You say this (and its of course true) but then we have people posting on here that Beanie sunk the show. Sunk, I guess, meaning "playing to full houses and adoring audiences"? I didnt love this show but the problem wasn't Beanie, it was the almost-cruel direction and a creaky, unsupportable book. What clicked in the 60s isn't gonna click today. AND YET the show is doing well! The idea that Beanie sunk it, or is being chased out so someone else can come and save it, is delusional.





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I've never said she sunk the show. I just think she's had it - it's too negative for her now. I think the director has been very lucky in his career - sometimes he connects with material and many times he doesn't - he should never have been let anywhere near Funny Girl, IMO. The book works fine if the director knows how to make it work and how to pace it.

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I agree with all of this bk, and was referring to someone else re "sunk the show" which I think was a direct quote? I had never seen Funny Girl before, knew nothing about it except that it launched Streisand, and my honest reaction when I saw it in April was (i) Beanie is fine, pedestrian singing but incredibly likeable and great comic timing; (ii) this production feels flimsy and misguided; and (iii) the underlying story is ultimately about a talented woman who throws it away for a douchebag of a man. In the 60s that choice might make sense, but now? Its a relic.

And it feels like people are very angry at Beanie and Mayer and whoever else that the show is inherently just bad with some nice songs (some of which, on closer inspection, dont even make much sense.). Michael Mayer did the show NO favors but he was working with a pile of nostalgia--which nostalgia is getting people into the seats, which maybe all we can hope for from Funny Girl.

BrodyFosse123 said: "poisonivy2 said: "Sarah Jessica Parker? I could see her giving off Jewish mama energy."

SJP wouldn’t do a bit featured role plus she’s busy post-PLAZA SUITE and Season 2 of … AND JUST LIKE THAT begins production in the Fall."

We also don’t know how SJP lines up with Ramin astrologically. <ducking and running>

Um this show is selling super well with no stars. The show is the star. It's in no danger of closing with the understudy in the lead.

Georgeanddot2 said: "Um this show is selling super well with no stars. The show is the star. It's in no danger of closing with the understudy in the lead."

This is a misleading argument as the show had a massive advance before the reviews came out and at this point only maybe 25% of the performances Julie Banko has gone on for were pre-announced to ticket buyers. It is a different mindset to buy tickets to see Julie Banko as Fanny, vs buying tickets fully priced to see Feldstein then being told Julie is going on and deciding not to exchange them...

I think Lea Michelle’s ego has been brought down a couple pegs, and it’s her dream done, so I can’t imagine her saying no if it is offered to her.

Remember when Benanti replaced Ambrose in MFL after being open about her disappointment about not even being considered to open the production? It would be the same basic situation. And Lea Michelle would sell at least some tickets even though she is no longer really a “star.” I can’t imagine any A-listers like Gaga would want to do it, so I can totally see the producers offering it to Lea.