Harvey Fierstein Opinions- Page 2

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/19/15 at 1:44pm

"His books for musicals are horrid.  They are trite and coy."

I love the book for La Cage.  Hilarious, witty, heartfelt, extremely well paced, smartly confecting the source material with optimal modifications.   Herman's best show by far because of the skill Harvey poured into the libretto.

 

[ELP]

Posted: 10/19/15 at 3:33pm

I saw the Wash DC production of Torch Song Trilogy a couple of years ago and thought the Harvey role was brilliantly acted by Brandon Uranowitz who now plays the Gershwin composer in An American in Paris. He made the role his own, no Harvey imitations whatsoever, not even close. 

I'd LOVE to see this come back to Broadway, with Uranowitz as Arnold obviously. I could see the role of Arnold's mom be a Tyne Daly type or others of that domineering, boisterous personality. Not sure why it hasn't throughout the years. Perhaps it's much too personal for Harvey but then why have it performed elsewhere with his blessings. Can't be about the costs of production, that's for sure.

[BeingAlive44Ever]

Posted: 12/12/23 at 9:01pm

I hate to necropost but I just gotta say 

I would die on a hill for Harvey Fierstein

He is one of the best writers and performers ever on Broadway

I love his musicals, even if they have their flaws (especially Newsies)

And I think his plays, especially Torch Song Trilogy, are truly brilliant, even if Ethel Merman hates them

I understand why people don't like him and don't think they're wrong 

But I love him personally

And as for his acting

I feel like he's basically the best Broadway actor still around right now

Well no Joel Grey is still alive

And so is Julie Andrews

He's in that tier

I see Harvey as an all the way classic, golden age/golden age adjacent Broadway diva

A Carol Channing, an Angela Lansbury, an Ethel Merman

It's all about the personality, the distinctive voice, the loud and immediately recognizable sound that is fun until he all of a sudden makes it tender and breaks your heart

Also he's the only guy who I think gets away with breathy singing because he uses it to get rid of the rasp 

And like I think the rasp is amazing but what really blows my mind is his performance of I Am What I Am

Like his opening is so tender and then he starts screaming with that gravelly voice and you're like 

"Hell yeah you are what you are!"

It's like

It really gave the song a whole new meaning for me 

I do think he's a better actor than writer, seeing as I can find flaw in a lot of his writing 

But I adore his acting roles and think he is probably one of the most notable examples of a role stealer

Y'know, the people who are just so spectacular in roles that it's unthinkable to ever have anybody else play them 

When somebody comes along and plays roles he originated or played at any point in time as well as him, I'm always just amazed 

Brandon Uranowitz in Torch Song was unbelievable

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 12/13/23 at 12:30pm

Harvey has mentioned many times that he is dyslexic and for someone who has some good books for a Broadway show is a great accomplishment. I know he has mentioned he has good editors and proofreaders, but still--good for him.

[verywellthensigh]

Posted: 12/13/23 at 1:55pm

I bet he's a great party guest.

[baritonewithtenortendencies]

Posted: 12/13/23 at 2:15pm

It is incredible that he's a dyslexic writer and revisionist and that he does so well with it

If I ever have an opportunity to attend a party with Harvey Fierstein, I will definitely take it

I would actually sell my kidneys to do that if like for some reason I had to (not sure why that'd apply but you never know)

Both of them

[JSquared2]

Posted: 12/13/23 at 2:25pm

BeingAlive44Ever said: "I hate to necropost but I just gotta say

I would die on a hill for Harvey Fierstein

He is one of the best writers and performers ever on Broadway

I love his musicals, even if they have their flaws (especially Newsies)

And I think his plays, especially Torch Song Trilogy, are truly brilliant, even if Ethel Merman hates them

I understand why people don't like him and don't think they're wrong

But I love him personally

And as for his acting

I feel like he's basically the best Broadway actor still around right now

Well no Joel Grey is still alive

And so is Julie Andrews

He's in that tier

I see Harvey as an all the way classic, golden age/golden age adjacent Broadway diva

A Carol Channing, an Angela Lansbury, an Ethel Merman

It's all about the personality, the distinctive voice, the loud and immediately recognizable sound that is fun until he all of a sudden makes it tender and breaks your heart

Also he's the only guy who I think gets away with breathy singing because he uses it to get rid of the rasp

And like I think the rasp is amazing but what really blows my mind is his performance of I Am What I Am

Like his opening is so tender and then he starts screaming with that gravelly voice and you're like

"Hell yeah you are what you are!"

It's like

It really gave the song a whole new meaning for me

I do think he's a better actor than writer, seeing as I can find flaw in a lot of his writing

But I adore his acting roles and think he is probably one of the most notable examples of a role stealer

Y'know, the people who are just so spectacular in roles that it's unthinkable to ever have anybody else play them

When somebody comes along and plays roles he originated or played at any point in time as well as him, I'm always just amazed

Brandon Uranowitz in Torch Song was unbelievable"

 

OK.

 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/13/23 at 2:30pm

baritonewithtenortendencies said: "It is incredible that he's a dyslexic writer and revisionist and that he does so well with it

If I ever have an opportunity to attend a party with Harvey Fierstein, I will definitely take it

I would actually sell my kidneys to do that if like for some reason I had to (not sure why that'd apply but you never know)

Both of them"

I went to a party he attended. He is a sweetheart. Very very nice and funny 

[baritonewithtenortendencies]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 8:41am

hearthemsing22 said: "baritonewithtenortendencies said: "It is incredible that he's a dyslexic writer and revisionist and that he does so well with it

If I ever have an opportunity to attend a party with Harvey Fierstein, I will definitely take it

I would actually sell my kidneys to do that if like for some reason I had to (not sure why that'd apply but you never know)

Both of them"

I went to a party he attended. He is a sweetheart. Very very nice and funny"

It's always nice to know when famous people are actually nice in real life

Now my voice coach had a handful of run ins with Pavrotti, doing operas with him

And it's easy to ignore stories of somebody being awful 

But when somebody you know tells you first hand about it 

Well she has this funny story 

Her friend got into a fight with Pavrotti 

So she yelled his name from across the hall and her friend snapped a very unflattering picture of him that hangs in her office to this day 

Next to a very flattering picture of Placido Domingo who was evidently a much nicer man