Julie Benko as Fanny - Funny Girl — Page 18

Congratulations to Julie as she wraps up her run as the full-time Fanny Brice! What a moment for her this summer.

This is a repost. For those who may not have seen this yet, here is the fabulous Julie Benko. https://www.facebook.com/ajnuh/videos/381026197516354/

from Julie Benko's Twitter page: Barbara Tirrell was hired Friday, drove to NYC Saturday morning, had 30 min rehearsal, and was on for Mrs. Meeker in @FunnyGirlBwy last night. Talk about legendary! Congrats and THANK YOU, Barbara!

I saw this tonight for my first ever Broadway lottery win, and I’m so glad I experienced the full scope of Julie’s Fanny after getting a glimpse at Bryant Park last month. It was my first time at Funny Girl and I was pleasantly surprised given the reviews. My seat was center mezzanine, row C, seat 105… an excellent view.

Understudies were also on today for Mrs. Strakosh, Mrs. Meeker, Florenz Ziegfeld, and Tom Keeney; there were two swings on tonight. The Keeney character gave me Bert Healy vibes and I would so love to see Jeremy Davis play him.

Benko really is the greatest star. Of course, that comes as no surprise given I also adored her in Fiddler, but she is dynamite on that Wilson stage, and together with Grimes, Feldshuh, and Karimloo, their performances compensate for the iffy second act, a few cheap design elements, and Harvey’s rushed book. The audience reception after several musical numbers tonight was pretty loud. They went wild for all four leads.
The score is iconic and the orchestra sounds better than ever, even with sub conductor Abel Garriga at the helm tonight (who has also done some work at Moulin Rouge!). Cast album with Lea, please?

Karimloo sounds as glorious as ever, but perhaps most importantly to me, he has grown a ton in the acting-while-speaking department ever since Anastasia. He is a natural at acting when singing (which is why he thrived in Phantom and Les Mis), but I completely felt for his Arnstein the entire time. IMO, he was a Tony nom snub last season.

Feldshuh is a hoot. She brought the house down when I saw her as Berthe in Pippin, and here she is just giving all the Jewish mother energy you could ever want, and I am here for it.

Grimes’s tapping is just as good as you know the tapping will be, and he charmed me from start to finish. He is joy, period. Justified Tony nom.

Michael Mayer made some interesting directorial choices here, for better and for worse. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to hearing how he approaches A Beautiful Noise in a couple of months.

There were a few people signing at stage door today, which wasn’t as wild as I thought it would be, but still quite jammed (MJ looked a bit more crowded across the street). I said a quick hi to Kristen Faith Oei, who remembered me from before my performance of Diana. She was there tonight supporting a few of her friends. Super nice and sweet.

All in all, a pleasant night, and I’m glad I waited to see this. Thank you lottery gods!

Updated On: 9/18/22 at 12:17 AM

Love that they made the new art for her too! It looks great!

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Has anyone seen Julie Benko on a Thursday? I'm curious to know what her show is bringing in terms of crowd size."

I was wondering the same thing. They seem to be at around 96% and wonder it that's because Lea is only doing 7 shows. Lea's shows seem to be selling out. If I was able to go to NYC, I'd see both of them.

Via Julie's Twitter:



There are some changes to my regular

@FunnyGirlBwy

Thursday schedule over the holidays. Take note: -No show Thanksgiving! I will do Fri 11/25 mat -I will do Tues 12/20 instead of Thurs 12/22 -Extra performance! Mon 12/26 (mat) -I'm on vaca Thurs 1/12. See

@EphieAardema

shine!

Penna2 said: "Per the funnygirlbwy fan IG, Julie is taking over their stories posting tomorrow with a behind-the-scenes look at the show."



Well thank god we'll FINALLY hear from Ms. Benko (she's been such a shrinking violet up until now)!

I chuckled at this. Not because of the message, but her randomly showing off her belt (when it was unneeded) is hilarious. I respect the hustle though.

FranklinDickson2018 said: "What is up with all this Julie Benko snark and sarcasm? I don't get it. She has been thoroughly professional, gracious and "above the fray" at all times.

Why shouldn't she talk about "My Man" and show off her high belt? She has it. Why not use it? She is not doing anything that any other young Broadway performer does (or has done). I don't see her as "hustling" at all. She is building a career. Period. (And BTW I agree with her take on "My Man" - 100 percent. It is an astute analysis of the song.) Listen to what she said --- she doesn't want to sing the song. So she is not trying to upstage Lea.




Julie has demonstrated an exceptional voice, star quality, has a great new CD out and very successful concerts in the NYC area. And she saved the show until Lea Michele came in. Please don't forget that.

SMH

SNIPS:



1) Well thank god we'll FINALLY hear from Ms. Benko (she's been such a shrinking violet up until now)!



2) WHO?



3) I chuckled at this. Not because of the message, but her randomly showing off her belt (when it was unneeded) is hilarious. I respect the hustle though."

I complimented her take on My Man as well. Never thought it should be in the show. The Music That Makes Me Dance is a better song in general.

As for self-promotion. I understand she needs people to see her in the show on Thursdays - I felt a little sorry for her when Jule Styne's daughter specifically said Lea was performing every show except Thursday. Tovah always mentions Julie when interviewed. But, yeah, she's been pretty much forgotten by the powers that be.

What she is posting seems to be pretty much the same sort of stuff she was doing when taking over for Beanie or just talking about the show; however, it really isn't - or maybe it is, but no one minded then. Based on some of the gossip surrounding Beanie's leaving, she seemed to feel Julie might have been out of line - that the producers were not protecting her image in the show. A lot of us went along because Julie was so much better in the roll and wanted Beanie gone.

Julie was given her shot in August and the payoff didn't happen. Not sure what she expected, but I do think something was and it didn't happen. I don't know what ticket sales look like for Thursdays, but there seems to be kind of a desperation to her IGs now. She isn't in the catbird's seat anymore.

While I'm not suggesting she stop promoting herself, I just think she really needs to assess what message it is she wants to send. Right now, it does seem competitive. This, coming from someone who felt she should have been given the lead. That is, until I heard Lea and heard (and saw on video) the difference between the two women. Lea is a star, Julie is not - at least not yet.

Penna2 said: "FranklinDickson2018 said: "What is up with all this Julie Benko snark and sarcasm? I don't get it. She has been thoroughly professional, gracious and "above the fray" at all times.

Why shouldn't she talk about "My Man" and show off her high belt? She has it. Why not use it? She is not doing anything that any other young Broadway performer does (or has done). I don't see her as "hustling" at all. She is building a career. Period. (And BTW I agree with her take on "My Man" - 100 percent. It is an astute analysis of the song.) Listen to what she said --- she doesn't want to sing the song. So she is not trying to upstage Lea.




Julie has demonstrated an exceptional voice, star quality, has a great new CD out and very successful concerts in the NYC area. And she saved the show until Lea Michele came in. Please don't forget that.

SMH

SNIPS:



1) Well thank god we'll FINALLY hear from Ms. Benko (she's been such a shrinking violet up until now)!



2) WHO?



3) I chuckled at this. Not because of the message, but her randomly showing off her belt (when it was unneeded) is hilarious. I respect the hustle though."

I complimented her take on My Man as well. Never thought it should be in the show. The Music That Makes Me Dance is a better song in general.

As for self-promotion. I understand she needs people to see her in the show on Thursdays - I felt a little sorry for her when Jule Styne's daughter specifically said Lea was performing every show except Thursday. Tovah always mentions Julie when interviewed. But, yeah, she's been pretty much forgotten by the powers that be.

What she is posting seemsto be pretty much the same sort of stuff she was doing when taking over for Beanie or just talking about the show;however, it really isn't - or maybe it is, but no one minded then. Based on some of the gossip surrounding Beanie's leaving, she seemed to feel Julie might have been out of line - that the producers were not protecting her image in the show. A lot of us went along because Julie was so much better in the roll and wanted Beanie gone.

Julie was given her shot in August and the payoff didn't happen. Not sure what she expected, but I do think something was and it didn't happen. I don't know what ticket sales look like for Thursdays, but there seems to be kind of a desperation to her IGs now. She isn't in the catbird's seat anymore.

While I'm not suggesting she stop promoting herself, I just think she really needs to assess what message it is she wants to send. Right now, it does seem competitive. This, coming from someone who felt she should have been given the lead. That is, until I heard Lea and heard (and saw on video) the difference between the two women. Lea is a star, Julie is not - at least not yet.

"

I actually disagree. The Funny Girl social media features her quite a bit and she even took over for a day. And I'm sure that for smaller promotional events, she'll get to go. But Lea is the focus now so of course she is prioritized when it comes to promoting.