Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:43am
"No one can do it because Barbra...."
That's what they said about Funny Girl's competitor, Hello Dolly. Nobody could do it but Carol Channing. And then there was Barbra....
Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:54am
That's absurd because I've read Mimi Hines kept the show running for quite awhile after Streisand left the show, so there's proof that there are other actresses that could handle the role of Fanny Brice and be successful in it.
Yes and Mimi was nothing like Barbra and she made it her own and (judging from the multiple clips) She sounded great. No one can do it like Barbra cause no one is Barbra. But you don't need someone like Barbra to pull this off. Here is honestly what I want:
I want someone with Barbra's charisma and vocal talent but I don't want her to be like Barbra at all. Lea Michelle has the vocal talent but she doesn't have the charisma or anything else. Mueller and Ashford have both in spades. I don't know about Sheridan.
In a perfect world, Gaga would have this part a few years ago.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:55am
Barbra didn't do Dolly half as good as Carol
Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:59am
Right cause you saw Carol.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:59am
It's popular to say that Funny Girl is "poorly written," but that's not really the case. It has a very strong Act 1, as Fanny's career is on the rise and she is courted by Nick. It really takes very few missteps. In Act 2, the disintegration of Fanny and Nick's marriage takes over, and while the book is never inept, it just doesn't have the same appeal of Act 1.
But that said, there are enormous compensations in Styne and Merrill's stage score, with the superb line-up of "Who Are You Now?" "The Music That Makes Me Dance," and the "Don't Rain On My Parade" reprise, which is a far less self-pitying ending than the weepy "My Man" in the film version. (Don't get me wrong - Streisand performs "My Man" brilliantly, but it really makes the film Fanny Brice a different creature than the more indomitable stage Fanny. And "Music That Makes Me Dance" also has a brilliant transition in it, where Fanny seamlessly goes from backstage to onstage with a change of lighting (used to similar effect in Dreamgirls for Effie's "I Am Changing" transition).
All this is to say: don't dismiss Funny Girl to the dustbin outright. Yes, Streisand casts a long shadow, but it ran in New York for 18 months without her, and was a popular title in stock for many years, also with other talents. With charismatic stars and some examination of the Act 2 book, it may surprise the naysayers.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:28pm
I saw a bootleg lmfao
Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:34pm
"Barbra didn't do Dolly half as good as Carol"
Both actresses have their positives and negatives. But Carol on her best day could never be as thrilling in "Before The Parade Passes By" as Barbra was. Barbra transitions beautifully from ballad to rallying cry in seconds. And Barbra's final note had Carol calling for her smelling salts.
Carol was more honest in her comedy, but Barbra sang it better.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:36pm
I think Carol's voice worked well with the character though. Kinda like an old broad running around getting into trouble haha. I just think Carol was better all around in the role.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:42pm
I highly agree with the idea of annaleigh.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:44pm
"I just think Carol was better all around in the role."
I saw her in the '95 Broadway revival. While there's a certain lovability to Carol Channing, the "dotty" Dolly that she plays doesn't always work. Mame can be kooky, but Dolly is sharp and shouldn't be as kooky as Carol played her.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:56pm
Isn't part of the problem with Funny Girl Act II that Nicky Arnstein was still alive? and I read there were fears of litigation from him. With Fanny Brice's son-in-law as producer, the show was always going to tread lightly on some topics.
In any event - here's one take on the fictions of Funny Girl: What do you mean Funny Girl is not Accurate?
(And I find it difficult to believe young Phil saw a bootleg of Carol Channing in the OBC of Hello Dolly - if one exists - not impossible, just difficult)
Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:56pm
Carol was perfect for the stage- but she is and was never a screen presence- for whatever reason- she just does not translate to the big screen- Barbra was the only actress who sings who could carry that show- it was good for what it was- and old fashioned musical- entertaining but without much depth. If you notice, Barbra never sings anything from it- never mentions it or refers to it in any way.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:04pm
actually i saw her doing it in 1977 in florida. Its on youtube lol
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:07pm
This isn't the "Who Did Dolly Better" board.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:08pm
Exactly. Go away, Pinto. Barbra and Carol would find you absolutely annoying.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:13pm
How can y'all say that Lea Michele has no sense of comedy? She was absolutley hilarious in the first two seasons of Glee. I for one think Lea Michele would be thrilling as Fanny Brice and I can't wait for her to do it. She definitely needs to come back to Broadway.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:13pm
no they would enjoy me
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:17pm
"She was absolutley hilarious in the first two seasons of Glee."
No she wasn't. She was annoying. But on Glee, the material was written for her. Unless they do a book rewrite of Funny Girl, she has to make those comedy sketches work. And it's not easy.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:22pm
Yes and Mimi was nothing like Barbra and she made it her own
Poor Lainie Kazan, always the standby, never the star.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:23pm
especially since the things we find funny is so different now. Just look at On the Town...soo not funny. You need good funny actors and a good director to make it funny like Kristin and Annaleigh, and Scott Ellis. Or Terry Mann. He was hilarious in Pippin!!!!! sooo genius!!
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:24pm
How can y'all say that Lea Michele has no sense of comedy? She was absolutely hilarious in the first two seasons of Glee. I for one think Lea Michele would be thrilling as Fanny Brice and I can't wait for her to do it. She definitely needs to come back to Broadway.
I think Lea can do comedy, she had some great comedic moments on GLEE, but they weren't really in the same vain of comedy Fanny needs. Not saying she couldn't pull it off with a great director (Ryan Murphy is not that) but I see the comedy coming easier to Ashford and Mueller.
Even if Lea and Ryan did do Funny Girl, I wouldn't be upset. Only because I think it would be a passion project for both and they obviously are in love with the show. Ryan would spare no expense on the sets and costume and most certainly would make it a lavish production. I don't know if Lea can act the part but she sure as hell can sing it. I also believe she is one of the few mentioned that I know would have the stamina to do 6-8 times a week consistently. Not only is she a very powerful singer, but she is also a very smart one. So if Lea does end up being Fanny, at least i will be going into the theater knowing I'm about to hear a great score sung by a great singer. I better stop before I get accused of being Lea sympathizer. That's worst crime you can commit on this board.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:29pm
Can someone please point to some examples when Lea was funny on Glee? I must have missed those episodes.
The problem with Ryan Murphy is that he seems to want to do his own thing. How many people ended up being gay on Glee? I don't want to see Nick Arnstein transitioning into a woman in Act 2.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:36pm
^ ugh i know. His whole LGBT campaign got way too out of hand on Glee. The most insulting was when Coach Beast transitioned from female to a male without giving one hint that that is what she was going through. It was all "Oh suddenly she wants to be a man now". It was not explained properly and there was no thought behind it. Glee really did have the worst writers.
In regards to Lea's comedy, it's there. She was best in Season 1 and 2.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:37pm
My problem with the Lea/Ryan pair is that Lea doesn't seem to want to do it anytime soon. She's said multiple times she wants to do more shows, concert tours, albums, and books. I don't feel a lot of passion coming from her. Although we all know she does have passion for the show and Broadway, it just isn't in her priorities right now, which makes me nervous. Also, I can't find the quote, but Ryan Murphy once said that he wants to market it as "Rachel Berry starring as Fanny Brice" instead of having the press and Playbill saying Lea Michele. I would love Lea to be a replacement. She could easily keep the show going after somebody like Annaleigh, who never really extends her contracts, departs. I just don't want to see Ryan ruin the chance of a good revival. If this was something like Gypsy that got revivals every six years, I'd be okay with it. But this is the first revival in (currently 51 - but will probably be something around 55) years. Also, how do we feel about Streisand playing Rosie Brice, Fanny's mother? I know it wouldn't happen, but BOY would that be a hot ticket.
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:50pm
My problem with the Lea/Ryan pair is that Lea doesn't seem to want to do it anytime soon. She's said multiple times she wants to do more shows, concert tours, albums, and books.
That's the feeling I got also. It seems like she wants a bit more experience before she commits to one of the hardest roles for women. Very smart thinking on her part.
It seems like she wants to keep doing Tv shows and movies for awhile. Can't say I blame her, she has established herself in Tv pretty well. I think she was nominated for a Golden Globe? And the new show "Scream queens" looks so good.
. I would love Lea to be a replacement. She could easily keep the show going after somebody like Annaleigh, who never really extends her contracts, departs
She was up for Evita as a replacement. I would have loved to see her in that. An even more challenging score than Funny Girl.
Now that I think about it, I'm not worried at all if Lea does do Funny Girl. It's Ryan that I'm more concerned about.
