Julie Benko as Fanny Brice: A Star is Born

[JanLisaHuttner]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 11:30am

BW’s 2022 ‘Funny Girl’ Revival & the “Star is Born” Glow of Julie Benko

https://ff2media.com/blog/2022/07/14/star-is-born-glow-of-julie-benko-in-funny-girl/

On May 4th (~ 2 months ago), FF2 posted my review of standby Julie Benko’s opening night performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.

Although I have seen many Broadway performances, Julie’s performance was a rare chance to actually see a star being born, and watching her debut is a memory I will always treasure. Since then, Julie has earned many more fans. The Broadway community is nearly united in their enthusiasm for Julie, and my review for FF2 is currently my top performing piece of published writing ever.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 1:06pm

Benko has a full month of performances ahead, starting Tuesday. A major opportunity. Much discussed. Since you just joined this board, read the many threads which sing her praises; she’s been touted at this site since her first appearance.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 2:38pm

My question is: will they update key art (and everything that features it from Playbills to merch to the marquee) to be Julie or not? My guess is not and it will be totally bull**** if that's the case! She deserves to have her name and picture on everything too! 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 2:52pm

jkcohen626 said: "My question is: will they update key art (and everything that features it from Playbills to merch to the marquee) to be Julie or not? My guess is not and it will be totally bull**** if that's the case! She deserves to have her name and picture on everything too!"

No word on new key art but production photos with Julie were taken earlier this week so she will be promoted for her August run. 

 

[themick2]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 2:56pm

Six Funny Girl threads (and counting) on the main page alone.

Not since Cats has there been so much made over something so mediocre.

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 7:01pm

So far, the Benko performances are not on TDF. As TDF users like me know well, it’s a very fluid discount site with hourly changes. The final Feldstein shows were on for a few days but came down. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 7:48pm

Auggie27 said: "So far, the Benko performances are not on TDF. As TDF users like me know well, it’s a very fluid discount site with hourly changes. The final Feldstein shows were on for a few days but came down."

It is literally on TDF from 8/2-8/7, every performance next week.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 7:51pm

themick2 said: "Six Funny Girl threads (and counting) on the main page alone.

Not since Cats has there been so much made over something so mediocre."

 

LOL. If there was any actual moderation being done, this thread would have been merged into the existing 283 post Julie Benko as Fanny Brice thread within 15 minutes of it being created. But, whatever. Welcome to the Department of Redundancy Department.

[shocktheatre]

Posted: 7/29/22 at 12:19am

Uncle Charie advises:

"LOL. If there was any actual moderation being done, this thread would have been merged into the existing 283 post Julie Benko as Fanny Brice thread within 15 minutes of it being created. But, whatever. Welcome to the Department of Redundancy Department."

It will all be over soon, thank God.

Updated On: 7/29/22 at 12:19 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/29/22 at 11:25am

Maybe you should moderate the subway/bus system, that is actually a real problem.

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 7/29/22 at 11:51am

I think it’s great that a no name talented actress is getting her due!! But…a star is born…is a bit of a stretch. Will she be a household name after her month of playing the lead?  No, I doubt it

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/29/22 at 12:23pm

Yeah, and CATS went on to run for years and years. Ya just never know what will pique the interest of the people who buy tickets.

Whether Julie will be a Star, she's a star in the eyes of many of us. A hard-working, talented young woman who is having a great year. I happy for her success, she has earned it.

Updated On: 7/29/22 at 12:23 PM

[Papi2013]

Posted: 7/29/22 at 1:10pm

I appreciate everyones excitement for her.  I just think that if she gets officially reviewed some of you will be very disappointed with what is said about what was to me ( my opinion),  a regional theater level performance.  A performance that while much better and preferable to Beanies.. is just not at the level at which we should have.   

As far as new art work for the show and playbill.. I would love to see just a picture of the actress playing the role.  I think that would be so classy.  Maybe one of the actress with her Nick over a piano.  A throwback to the original.

[shocktheatre]

Posted: 7/29/22 at 3:39pm

Muscle-something-or-other burbles this projection:

"Maybe you should moderate the subway/bus system, that is actually a real problem"

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/31/22 at 1:28pm

Papi2013 said: "I appreciate everyones excitement for her. I just think that if she gets officially reviewed some of you will be very disappointed with what is said about what was to me ( my opinion), a regional theater level performance. A performance that while much better and preferable to Beanies.. is just not at the level at which we should have.

As far as new art work for the show and playbill.. I would love to see just a picture of the actress playing the role. I think that would be so classy. Maybe one of the actress with her Nick over a piano. A throwback to the original."

Bring on Julie Benko...Go! 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/31/22 at 1:37pm

Sorry. I’m delighted the show is back on TDF; it had not been the morning of the day I posted its absence. A lot of people unwilling to spend even TKTS money to see an already infamous production may now go.