Posted: 4/29/22 at 2:41pm
Anyone going tonight to see Julie?
Posted: 4/29/22 at 2:44pm
Me! Cannot wait to see this show with talented singers and dancers!
Posted: 4/29/22 at 2:47pm
Glorious that the FUNNY GIRL Instagram has zero mention of Julie performing this entire weekend and zero mention that Ramin is out for over a week due to COVID. But… damn they were quick to post those fake pull quote promos in minutes after the reviews came out.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 2:53pm
Gee - I can't imagine why!
I look forward to people's thoughts on Benko.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 2:56pm
If Benko is even just half as charming and glorious as she looks and sounds in YouTube videos floating around, audiences are in for a HUGE treat. I am really bummed I won't be seeing her.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 3:01pm
Per question above: Terri Klausner did score in a great featured role in Sophisticated Ladies which used her jazz-pop voice to great advantage, and off Broadway in the wonderful Goblin Market. I saw both and her (excellent) Eva*. If never a star, not a bad model for Benko.
*we had no internet then, but she developed an Evita following, fans who saw her more than once
Updated On: 4/29/22 at 03:01 PM
Posted: 4/29/22 at 3:12pm
Auggie27 said: "Per question above: Terri Klausner did score in a great featured role in Sophisticated Ladies which used her jazz-pop voice to great advantage, and off Broadway in the wonderful Goblin Market. I saw both and her (excellent) Eva*. If never a star, not a bad model for Benko.
*we had no internet then, but she developed an Evita following, fans who saw her more than once"
Terri with Judith Jamison and Phyllis Hyman in "Sophisticated Ladies"
Posted: 4/29/22 at 3:21pm
Well, I'll be missing her Sunday. Because of Ramin's Covid I moved our tickets to July. But I will be anxious to hear everyone's thoughts
Updated On: 4/29/22 at 03:21 PM
Posted: 4/29/22 at 7:16pm
“Ladies and gentlemen, at tonight’s performance, the role of Fanny Brice will be performed by Julie Benko. Thank you, and enjoy the show.”
Posted: 4/29/22 at 9:31pm
A star is born! She’s like buttah! Truly, incredible performance so far.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 9:40pm
Intermission and she is INCREDIBLE! It’s like a whole new show! Broadway has finally found its Fanny Brice!
Posted: 4/29/22 at 10:07pm
programticket said: "Intermission and she is INCREDIBLE! It’s like a whole new show! Broadway has finally found its Fanny Brice!"
How soon before they replace Feinsten with Benko?
Posted: 4/29/22 at 10:16pm
I'm so happy to hear such good things about Benko! I saw her as an understudy for Hodel in the most recent revival of Fiddler on the Roof and I was just as impressed as all of you at the August Wilson tonight.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 10:23pm
How's Ramin's standby? Do they have chemistry? Going tomorrow and was so hoping to see Julie and Ramin together, but sounds like I still did the right thing exchanging my tickets from Tuesday.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 10:55pm
As predictable as this revelation might have been, and it's wonderful news for the actor and the audiences who will see her, the implications remain at best indeterminate. Surely the powers that be were in the house tonight, or will show up by Sunday. They get it. There's no getting around the social media-fueled impact here. But the show is being marketed atop a specific narrative: the synergy of an unlikely star in a beloved now reminted role. That narrative falls apart with another actor besting her the first week after the opening. No one will throw the new star under the bus. But this doesn't help the show's profile being sold the public.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 11:14pm
Yes, there is chemistry with Jeremiah. I’ll go back and see her again when she’s on with Ramin.
With Julie, you get a real “Fanny”. She nails the book scenes, she completely nails the score and she just has that “it” thing that really brings the character to life. At times she even looks like the real Brice. She had tears in her eyes while singing “People” and then again singing “Music That Makes Me Dance” - you could see an actress whose dream was coming true.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 11:18pm
Wowza! Thrilling to read.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 11:20pm
Jordan Catalano said: "Yes, there is chemistry with Jeremiah. I’ll go back and see her again when she’s on with Ramin.
With Julie, you get a real “Fanny”. She nails the book scenes, she completely nails the score and she just has that “it” thing that really brings the character to life. At times she even looks like the real Brice. She had tears in her eyes while singing “People” and then again singing “Music That Makes Me Dance” - you could see an actress whose dream was coming true. "
All great to hear.
How was Jeremiah… and how’d he look shirtless?
Posted: 4/29/22 at 11:23pm
He wore a damn tank top. BOO ON YOU, JEREMIAH. lolol
Posted: 4/29/22 at 11:27pm
She's Beanie's cover. She'll play it like Beanie. Much like Simard covering LuPone is Simard playing LuPone playing Joanne. That's the gig.
That’s not “the gig” unless directed to do so, it’s not a carbon copy of the star performance. How many Elphaba or Glinda standbys have you seen be exactly the same?
Posted: 4/29/22 at 11:43pm
I was there tonight with friends. We all agreed Julie Benko was amazing. She was hitting the notes and her performance was very charming. She was a huge hit.
We were medium on Jeremiah. He was unmemorable and made a few mistakes singing. I think he could definitely improve but we were not blown away.
Posted: 4/29/22 at 11:53pm
PassingThrough2 said: "I was there tonight with friends. We all agreed Julie Benko was amazing. She was hitting the notes and her performance was very charming. She was a huge hit.
We were medium on Jeremiah. He was unmemorable and made a few mistakes singing. I think he could definitely improve but we were not blown away."
Oh, there's no question that he wouldn't have been as rehearsed as Julie was. Beanie's days off have been known from the beginning.
Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:00am
Seems like she really is the greatest star! I can’t make it this weekend, but I think I’m gonna have to grab a ticket for her August dates. It seems like a can’t miss performance! It’ll be my big return to Broadway post Summer break!
Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:17am
She was a revelation. By the end of Act I she had the audience delighted with her strong bell-tone voice and charming characterization. It was incredible to watch her build on that during Act II. The last twenty minutes she expertly went from anxious to relieved to devastated to resiliently hopeful. It was amazing to watch the multiple emotions flash subtly over her face. By the end of the show she had tears streaming.
No shade to Beanie. I've loved her in everything up to this, but with Julie the show just clicked. Fanny's role sews the show together and not having to worry about the execution of the music kept the focus on the story, which was supported by Julie's solid acting.
It's been awhile since I've seen such a strong, detailed performance. She really is terrific.
Jeremiah James was an absolutely solid Arnstein and he and Julie had wonderful chemistry. Fun note: Jeremiah accidentally entered with his mask on. He removed it very quickly. This didn't take me out of the show at all. If anything, I felt good about their COVID compliance.
Go see her if/when you have the chance. The show finally works and it makes for a way more satisfying experience.
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