Julie Benko as Fanny - Funny Girl — Page 20

182 performances, and a very special evening. I had only seen Julie once before, exactly a year ago, but something about her story and the trajectory of her career resonated with me, and had me rooting for her. The journey from being a standby/understudy/swing for her entire theatrical career to playing Fanny Brice on Broadway that many times, with a NYT article written about her, and now originating her first Broadway role, in Harmony, with her first cast recording being released just yesterday, is all just very cool.

I really admire her work ethic, as well, and putting in the effort to maintain her voice this whole time, while also taking on numerous side gigs. Some compare her to Eve Harrington, but I just think she's a very smart woman who knows that opportunities like this one don't come around every day, so she grabbed it by the b*lls and ran with it.

I've uploaded last night's curtain call to YouTube, if anyone would like to take a look:

Updated On: 9/4/23 at 11:07 AM

Mr. Wormwood said: "I can't believe in a year and a half that they never changed that stupid and unfunny bit in the curtain call..."

It was a play on the song "His Love Makes Me Beautiful" when Fanny doesn't make her entrance as expected. When you understand the context, it makes more sense.

Mr. Wormwood said: "Penna2 said: "Mr. Wormwood said: "I can't believe in a year and a half that they never changed that stupid and unfunny bit in the curtain call..."

It was a play on the song "His Love Makes Me Beautiful" when Fanny doesn't make her entrance as expected. When you understand the context, it makes more sense."

It doesn't make it a good choice or funny though..."

I dunno. When I first saw it, I hadn't seen the entire show, so it didn't make sense. Once I saw the show and I saw the context, I thought it was fine. Not the greatest, but not the worst I've ever seen - at least they put some thought into it instead of just people walking out on stage.

Like the rest of this show, something else that causes discussion and disagreement. What a ride! I think Fanny would be thrilled her life was still able to stir people up.

My personal favorite is the curtain call from Phantom. Saw the one from the Chinese production, it was their 100th performance and they did a reprise of Masquerade with the Phantom taking part. Very cool.

Julie stated on Instagram that she did 182 performances. They let her keep the sign with her photo and name. This sign was placed at the theater when she went on as Fanny.

Julie's unreleased Funny Girl recordings:

https://soundcloud.com/jane-smith-49248888

SHUT UP! Amazing.


And thrilled to see she's doing a production of Jane Eyre. She is FLAWLESS for that role.