Julie Benko as Fanny - Funny Girl- Page 17

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/25/22 at 9:41pm

It's a safe bet that the reverb in "The Music That Makes Me Dance" was used to mask the vocal inadequacies of a previous Fanny.

Having seen the production twice, I must agree. The song as “staged” has no dramatic purpose, and puts Fanny up center in a round window. It’s not clear what the stylized conceit might be. And a previous pastiche number to suggest a Follies torch performance is now plot adjacent.

Updated On: 8/25/22 at 09:41 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 4:09am

There were several directorial glitches. Another was having Fanny AND Eddie finish "I'm the Greatest Star" atop a ladder. That's Fanny's number and she--and she alone--should be on the ladder  for the song's denouement. Having Eddie on the ladder steals her thunder.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 10:00am

Yesterday Julie posted on her Instagram Stories that they were adding new changes in the show so it’s apparent they are trying to fix things prior to Lea’s first performance.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 10:45am

Maybe they'll scrap the 2nd act

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 5:23pm

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 7:22pm

Dollypop said: "There were several directorial glitches. Another was having Fanny AND Eddie finish "I'm the Greatest Star" atop a ladder. That's Fanny's number and she--and she alone--should be on the ladder for the song's denouement. Having Eddie on the ladder steals her thunder."

 

True, that whole number is poorly staged!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 9:11pm

If we're talking about "poorly staged" the Private Schwartz number is pathetic. I'm Italian/Catholic but I cringed at the bagels on the costume and  the nappy hair on Fanny. It was in very bad taste.

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 9:17pm

the nappy hair

Careful bro. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 9:22pm

Dollypop said: "If we're talking about "poorly staged" the Private Schwartz number is pathetic. I'm Italian/Catholic but I cringed at the bagels on the costume and the nappy hair on Fanny. It was in very bad taste."

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 9:41pm

Dollypop said: "If we're talking about "poorly staged" the Private Schwartz number is pathetic. I'm Italian/Catholic but I cringed at the bagels on the costume and the nappy hair on Fanny. It was in very bad taste.

"

I'm Jewish and when Beanie and Julie and Ephie do/did that number it is/was HILARIOUS. The bagels were pulled right from the original (I believe they were on a string that hung from Fanny's belt). 

Now, when Lea Michelle, who is CATHOLIC and NOT Jewish, does it... it'll be a different story. Jews make fun of ourselves. It's one of our "things." As hard as she may try, Jewish ancestors and a big nose alone do not make someone Jewish. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 10:19pm

Good thing her Father is Jewish and she's playing a character! 

[pmensky]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 10:26pm

jkcohen626 said: "Dollypop said: "If we're talking about "poorly staged" the Private Schwartz number is pathetic. I'm Italian/Catholic but I cringed at the bagels on the costume and the nappy hair on Fanny. It was in very bad taste.

"

I'm Jewish and when Beanie and Julie and Ephie do/did that number it is/was HILARIOUS. The bagels were pulled right from the original (I believe they were on a string that hung from Fanny's belt).

Now, when Lea Michelle, who is CATHOLIC and NOT Jewish, does it... it'll be a different story. Jews make fun of ourselves. It's one of our "things." As hard as she may try, Jewish ancestors and a big nose alone do not make someone Jewish."

I know what you mean. My sister who is a witch and full member of the Satanic Temple went to see the Harry Potter play and was totally offended, because…oh wait, she wasn’t offended by anything, because she is capable of separating a play from reality. Seriously, If you’re offended by Lea wearing a bagel, you’d better stay away from the entire company of Book of Mormon or you may need a sedative when that reality sets in.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 10:34pm

What a fantastic comment. Love. 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 11:38pm

What needs an overhaul - the dreadful “Music That  Makes Me Dance.” No dramatic point, the Follies premise scrapped, the character in a window singing intended Ziegfeld performance lyrics to the ether. And the former star’s amplification grafted onto the current actors’ solid vocals makes it look like a bad, kitsch 60s variety show. Worst of all, the ravishing Styne melody isn’t trusted to carry it over the finish line so it just … stops. I’ve seen it twice and remain shocked by the bad taste and absence of purpose.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/26/22 at 11:40pm

Now, when Lea Michelle, who is CATHOLIC and NOT Jewish, does it... it'll be a different story. Jews make fun of ourselves. It's one of our "things." As hard as she may try, Jewish ancestors and a big nose alone do not make someone Jewish. 

FYI: 2 of the most famous Jewish actresses in Hollywood were actually Roman Catholics - Valerie Harper, who played one of the most iconic Jewish characters in television history, Rhoda Morgenstern, on both THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW and RHODA, and Anne Bancroft, who had an extensive career playing Jewish women.  

[Scott Stephen]

Posted: 8/27/22 at 1:58am

Of course, more changes could come but I was at the show tonight and only noticed two - the “stomp” portion of Henry Street has been cut, and the short scene/reprise after Temporary Arrangement ends with Nick feeling triumphant rather than receiving the news about his casino being destroyed. Neither really seemed vastly important or really involving Julie/Fanny, so I’m not sure what these changes were. As far as I could tell, no dialogue changes and no key changes, but I also don’t have a strong sense of specific pitch/key so I might have missed something. Curious to see if anything else changes for the rest of Julie’s run/Lea’s first show. 
 

Also, I spotted Tovah Feldshuh in the audience with her script and score taking notes, just fun to see! I’m sure she will be great in this role!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/27/22 at 10:55pm

Any and all cuts are welcome. The show is too long by 15-20 minutes and the self-indulgent length seems to support the idea that more dance or reprise snippets enhance the musical comedy bona fides; in impact it feels indifferent to telling a cohesive story. The production treads too much water. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/27/22 at 11:01pm

I thought people had super secret sources who swore “My Man” was being put in last week. 

[DAME]

Posted: 8/28/22 at 2:07am

Jordan Catalano said: "I thought people had super secret sources who swore “My Man” was being put in last week."

They are all listening to that bald guy on tik tok. To his credit.. he is not wrong much. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/28/22 at 10:00am

jkcohen626 said: "Dollypop said: "If we're talking about "poorly staged" the Private Schwartz number is pathetic. I'm Italian/Catholic but I cringed at the bagels on the costume and the nappy hair on Fanny. It was in very bad taste.

"

I'm Jewish and when Beanie and Julie and Ephie do/did that number it is/was HILARIOUS. The bagels were pulled right from the original (I believe they were on a string that hung from Fanny's belt).

Now, when Lea Michelle, who is CATHOLIC and NOT Jewish, does it... it'll be a different story. Jews make fun of ourselves. It's one of our "things." As hard as she may try, Jewish ancestors and a big nose alone do not make someone Jewish."

 

Lea’s father is Sephardic Jew, Jkcohen626. Might wanna inform yourself before getting outraged.

 

[Flowerlovestage5]

Posted: 8/28/22 at 6:24pm

I re- visited the show at yesterday’s matinee, 8/27. Julie Benko is giving a commanding leading lady performance.  Benko is, in my opinion, a fine actress - you can tell she has studied the role and crafted a fleshed out character. She is giving us a nuanced and layered Brice with the material over the two plus hours. You like her and root for her instantly. Her comedic timing is sharp as she is comfortable and alive in the moment. It was not rehearsed nor robotic in energy. I enjoyed her personal touches to the material and she had great chemistry with everyone on stage. 
 

Liz McCartney is a better Mrs. Brice in the role, if you ask me. Jeremiah James is a fine Nick and worked very well with Benko - they had a nice dynamic. 

This really is a break-out moment for her - I look forward to seeing what she does next. If you attend the show on a Thursday, you are in for a great performance. 
 

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/29/22 at 4:58pm

I  meant to post this ealier:

At last Wednesday's performance there were several people who applauded with their hands over their heads. Is this a new trend. If so, it's annoying.

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 8/29/22 at 5:04pm

Dollypop said: "I meant to post this ealier:

At last Wednesday's performance there were several people who applauded with their hands over their heads. Is this a new trend. If so, it's annoying."

I will take that over the phony woohooing that’s occurred in the last few years.

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 8/29/22 at 5:17pm

It’s by no means a new trend. Its seen as a way of expressing even more appreciation of a performance during the show as opposed to those mid-show standing ovations, plus it’s assumed the actress/actor can see it. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/29/22 at 6:06pm

From the stage, those people who are applauding with their hands over their heads must look like they're performing "The Small House of Uncle Thomas" and that's the wrong show.