Julie Benko as Fanny - Funny Girl- Page 4

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 10:38am

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 10:46am

Glad to hear that Julie is giving an amazing performance, but makes me sad that she's only the standby. We've waited all these years for a revival of Funny Girl and the standby is better than the headliner. Ouch. Must be so awkward for the cast when they hear how the songs are supposed to sound......

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 10:48am

If I remember correctly Streisand had gotten strep throat but still showed up to sing .  The next day she was even sicker so that is when Lainie went on for her.  I still find it interesting that Beanie would leave a hit show just a week or so after opening night to attend a friend's wedding --- even more so in this time of COVID. Surely some folks would know that there would be perhaps unfavorable comparisons. But in my years of reading about the history of Broadway shows the star didn't usually leave a show for the weekend right after opening night????

[theatermangeek]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:17am

The curtain call on the Instagram post via juliebenkofans is incredible. Watch Jane Lynch.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cc9dh6agUSn/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[Tom5]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:24am

I hope Beanie has never seen 'Bullets Over Broadway". Might be worrying for her.

[andrewsmash]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:27am

I am desperately wanting to see Julie as Fanny but I want to see her when she's on stage with Ramin as Nick. He made me swoon the entire show when I saw it in previews. Keeping an eye out in case she fills in last minute so I can catch the two together before August!!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:32am

LUCKY2 said: "Where are details about Beanie family money backing production? I don't buy that."

I am also baffled by these claims. Seems like unfounded rumors and nastiness to me. Would love to see an actual source backing this up.

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:39am

That curtain call got me all teary eyed.  So much love on both sides of the footlights.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:44am

A Fanny who actually looks like Fanny !!

[fbueller]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:49am

Has a new Broadway production ever released a cast album where the original leads from opening night weren’t part of the recording?  Here’s hoping for a cast album with Julie and Ramin.

Updated On: 4/30/22 at 11:49 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:04pm

I just want to add: I wish the fan girls would stop screaming during songs like they’re at Wicked or a pop concert.  Shut up. 

Updated On: 4/30/22 at 12:04 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:23pm

Ever have one of those perfect New York City evenings where you have an amazing dinner, watch a woman become a star right before your eyes, and then have delicious cocktails afterwards with your favorite people? Well, that happened to me last night and I feel incredibly grateful for all of it.

I adored this show! The audience was buzzing and super excited for all of it, lots of joyful noise so to speak. I loved the direction but I think this will forever have a weak book, even though Harvey did his best to make it a little better. And the choreo for the non tap numbers was a bit boring.

But everything else?!?! My GOD! Jared is the most talented tap dancer I have ever seen live. He is electric in the role and I wish they gave him more to do. I love Jane Lynch in everything and I think she's perfectly cast here. I love Ramin in everything so I missed him last night, but Jeremiah was strong in book scenes, good looking enough and he has a great voice. The lighting and sound were perfect as well. 

Then there is Julie. This luminous, brilliant woman became a star last night. She was funny, charming, sharp and that voice? That is how the score is supposed to sound. Highlights for me (no surprise) were "People" and "Don't Rain on my Parade". I saw her become a DIVA as the show progresses and it was compeletely believable, authentic and thrilling. The audience just loved her and I think saw what I was seeing. How lucky were we all to witness this. 

A star is born, you guys! And she is FABULOUS!!!! 

 

 

Updated On: 4/30/22 at 12:23 PM

[KitKatBoy24]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:30pm

Yes Sutton Ross! Last night was so special. I can’t get over it. Thank you for putting it into words.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:36pm

Today’s matinee is still on the TKTS board if anyone wants to race over. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:38pm

KitKatBoy24 said: "Yes Sutton Ross! Last night was so special. I can’t get over it. Thank you for putting it into words."

Im so glad you saw it, you're welcome and yes, it was so very special! 

Updated On: 4/30/22 at 12:38 PM

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:49pm

fbueller said: "Has a new Broadway production ever released a cast album where the original leads from opening night weren’t part of the recording? Here’s hopiny for a cast album with Julie and Ramin."

There were some 1950s lp cover recordings with understudies.  EG  Sandra Deel, and Richard Eastham in South Pacific and Lola Fisher in My Fair Lady.   It would be wonderful if Ms. Benko gets a shot at a recording. 

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:54pm

Sutton Ross said: "Ever have one of those perfect New York City evenings where you have an amazing dinner, watch a woman become a star right before your eyes, and then have delicious cocktails afterwards with your favorite people? Well, that happened to me last night and I feel incredibly grateful for all of it.

I adored this show! The audience was buzzing and super excited for all of it, lots of joyful noise so to speak. I loved the direction but I think this will forever have a weak book, even though Harvey did his best to make it a little better. And the choreo for the non top numbers was a bit boring.

But everything else?!?! My GOD! Jared is the most talented tap dancer I have ever seen live. He is electric in the role and I wish they gave him more to do. I love Jane Lynch is everything and I think she's perfectly cast here. I love Ramin in everything so I missed him last night, but Jeremiah was strong in book scenes, good looking enough and he has a great voice. The lighting and sound were perfect as well.

Then there is Julie. This luminous, brilliant woman became a star last night. She was funny, charming, sharp and that voice? That is how the score is supposed to sound.Highlights for me (no suprise) were "People" and "Don't Rain on my Parade". I saw her become a DIVA as the show progresses and it was compeletely believable, authentic and thrilling. The audience just loved her and I think saw what I was seeing. How lucky were we all to witness this.

A star is born, you guys! And she is FABULOUS!!!!



"

TY Sutton - WOW super excited now for tomorrow's matinee!!!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 1:09pm

Have the best time, bb. 

[soxboy22]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 2:35pm

Sutton Ross said: "Ever have one of those perfect New York City evenings where you have an amazing dinner, watch a woman become a star right before your eyes, and then have delicious cocktails afterwards with your favorite people? Well, that happened to me last night and I feel incredibly grateful for all of it.

I adored this show! The audience was buzzing and super excited for all of it, lots of joyful noise so to speak. I loved the direction but I think this will forever have a weak book, even though Harvey did his best to make it a little better. And the choreo for the non tap numbers was a bit boring.

But everything else?!?! My GOD! Jared is the most talented tap dancer I have ever seen live. He is electric in the role and I wish they gave him more to do. I love Jane Lynch in everything and I think she's perfectly cast here. I love Ramin in everything so I missed him last night, but Jeremiah was strong in book scenes, good looking enough and he has a great voice. The lighting and sound were perfect as well.

Then there is Julie. This luminous, brilliant woman became a star last night. She was funny, charming, sharp and that voice? That is how the score is supposed to sound.Highlights for me (no suprise) were "People" and "Don't Rain on my Parade". I saw her become a DIVA as the show progresses and it was compeletely believable, authentic and thrilling. The audience just loved her and I think saw what I was seeing. How lucky were we all to witness this.

A star is born, you guys! And she is FABULOUS!!!!



OMG, Sutton, you and KitKatBoy are killing me.  I can’t see Sutton this weekend, but I believe I’m not going to have to wait until August for her to appear with Ramin.

Thank you for your review,  I have chills!.

 

 

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 3:03pm

I love reading that Benko is being praised for her talents.  Hopefully, some reviewers out there get the chance to see one of her performances.

[Trish2]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 4:00pm

"I love reading that Benko is being praised for her talents.  Hopefully, some reviewers out there get the chance to see one of her performances."

 

As I mentioned earlier, it would be the scoop of the year for a savvy journalist!

Updated On: 4/30/22 at 04:00 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 5:06pm

Update: it’s at the TKTS board for tonight: 50% off.

[Skip23]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 5:42pm

Saw this today. 
 

She’s a perfectly competent understudy. Does all the blocking and choreo very well,  Sings way better than the “star”.  But there’s no way that she could be the greatest star. She betrays herself in her rushed dialogue and efficient singing. We constantly want more from her. Again - a perfectly good understudy. And that’s it. 
 

James is a far better Nick. When he walks in the whole audience goes “Hello Gorgeous”. His acting and singing are spot on. 
 

i still don’t get Jane Lynch in that role. Jewish mother?  Really?  
 

and that second act is a killer. Round and round with the “my man done me wrong” tsuris. Enough!

 

Funny, but with all her deficiencies, at least you believe that Beanie thinks she is a star. 

[BarnabyTucker]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 5:56pm

I am seriously considering biting the bullet and catching tomorrow's matinee.  If one WERE to find an audio of last night, I would appreciate it if they could DM me. :)

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 6:00pm

BarnabyTucker said: "I am seriously considering biting the bullet and catching tomorrow's matinee. If one WERE to find an audio of last night, I would appreciate it if they could DM me. :)"

Zero has surfaced.  Only audio is that 1 minute on Twitter of the ending of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” with the annoying fan girls screaming like it’s a Harry Styles concert.