Funny Girl…. Understudy
Funny Girl…. Understudy
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
#1Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/9/23 at 9:16pm
I am in the city this week, and wanted to catch a funny girl. Really wanted to see Lea Michele. But she is not in the show this week. Is it worth seeing with the understudy? Has anyone seen the show with her in it?
Thanks!
#2Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/9/23 at 9:25pm
Not sure where you got the idea she's not in the show this week, but Lea is doing every performance except for Sunday night 5/14. If you were talking specifically about Sunday night, Julie Benko is outstanding.
#3Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/9/23 at 9:26pm
I have not seen Julie Benko personally, but she is a remarkable Fanny! You will have a great time seeing her!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Voter
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/20
#4Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/9/23 at 9:36pm
Funny Girl has a standby (Julie Benko) and an understudy (Ephie Aardema).
I have seen the production twice on Broadway. I saw Julie Benko and Lea Michele.
Beanie Feldstein got covid the week I was going, so Julie Benko went on Fanny Brice. I saw Julie Benko on the day of the Tony Awards last year and she was absolutely phenomenal and a wonderful actress and singer.
I know for a fact that Ephie Aardema has done the role a few times but Julie Benko has done the role many times.
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
#5Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/9/23 at 9:38pm
TaffyDavenport said: "Not sure where you got the idea she's not in the show this week, but Lea is doing every performance except for Sunday night 5/14. If you were talking specifically about Sunday night, Julie Benko is outstanding."
Yeah was looking at Sunday night- should’ve been more specific, sorry. Just not familiar with Julie. Benito. Thanks!!
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/10/23 at 8:45am
People have pretty much raved about Julie since the beginning.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#7Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/10/23 at 8:53am
After seeing Feldstein, I went back on TDF to see Benko, and Aardema was on for (I believe) the first time. Wednesday matinee last summer. She was in every way extraordinary, vocally and otherwise, and because the only substitution posting was the lobby (I know, AEA rules require more), some people at intermission assumed they'd seen Benko. The conversations in the rest room lines were truly funny. But everyone adored Aardema. I'd ended up with 4th row center, and can attest: she delivered. If you happen to see her, no disappointment will ensue.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#8Funny Girl…. Understudy
Posted: 5/10/23 at 11:23am
To be exact: Julie Benko is the standby for Lea Michele.
Ephie Aardema is the understudy and only goes on if Julie Benko is unable to.
Videos