Julie Benko as Fanny - Funny Girl — Page 5

There's also a minute of "People" from the same poster. There's no screaming in that one.

I respect the Skip23 reservations about Benko’s take, but can we compare a second ever performance in front of an audience with that of someone who had singular focus in a long rehearsal process and nearly a month of previews? Maybe. But issues of timing and pacing come with playing an entire arc repeatedly, learning where to catch your breath, regroup, focus energy. I would think that less than a week after opening, the production is still carving out precious time for a put in. Just learning how to handle the wig and costume changes takes drills.

Updated On: 4/30/22 at 06:28 PM

Robbie2 said: "Anyone care to share please where I can hear this clip of Julie?"

Geez. As mentioned numerous times, both clips are on Twitter! We can’t share the direct link but they’re easy to find.

I was there this Afternoon. The show really clicks into high gear once Nick arrives on the scene. Julie really gave a star turn this afternoon, and her performance for the last third of the show… share perfection. I did have some quibbles with some of the production choices, the Ziegfeld follies costumes look cheap, and the it was totally impassable to understand the lyrics during the big tap number in act two. That having been said the role of Fanny Brice is in good hands with Julie takes to the stage.

After reading the reviews and this board, I exchanged my tickets from last Tuesday for tonight, and while I'm sorry I ended up missing Ramin as a result, I'm overall so glad I did. From the first scenes there was an electricity in the audience, as everyone knew they were watching a star-making performance. Julie's vocals were perfection (in both technique and interpretation), her comedy skills top-notch, and her dramatic scenes utterly real and heartbreaking. No need for excuses or "well at least she can..." compromises; THIS is a Fanny Brice, THIS is what Funny Girl should be, and I have no doubt that if this production had opened with Julie and Ramin it would have gotten raves. (And her parents were sitting beaming in the second row!)

https://t2conline.com/could-a-star-be-being-born-on-broadway/

Idinamenzel18 said: "I feel like I’m finally seeing how this show was meant to be. Somehow the set doesn’t feel as dreary. The show just clicks with Julie. It makes so much sense, and so does Fanny’s character arch."

I agree. The show still has major Act 2 problems. But for the first time, I was even able to see those so clearly, since everything else clicked into gear and Fanny's rise has a drive and a reason beyond the lead's charm. I had forgotten just how much Cornet Man or even "..Greatest Star" are really just about blowing the roof off the place, with moments of comedy in between. Without stellar vocals, the numbers simply aren't funny enough to justify the story.

And I disagree it was an understudy performance. I admit Nick played that way. And there's nothing wrong with that. He was solid, competent. Her performance carried the show, full of nuance and depth.

I'll be curious to see where she goes after this, because I think word will get out in town.

If Beanie does step down it'll be with "a previous commitment" excuse or "artistic differences". Maybe she'll pull a Raquel Welch and claim she's suddenly pregnant.

gregnyc2 said: "I know it’ll never happen, but what a story if Beanie came out with something like, “look, I couldn’t say no to this role, I’m so glad to have opened the show, I’ve loved every minute, but I’m stepping aside, Julie Benko is taking over, and I ask the Tony committee to consider Julie for the Tony nom. I’ll be back soon on Broadway, etc etc etc”."

What if, when Beanie returns, Julie jumps up on stage, slaps Beanie and yells “This is my role! Everyone on BroadwayWorld says so!!!”

dramamama611 said: "She's not going to step down, nor should she. (And I didn't care for her performance.) It's her role and LOTS of people (here and beyond) think she's doing just fine and are happy). It's her role, regardless of what any of us think."

I agree. She won’t step down . Let’s hope she zones in on enjoying herself and gets thru her contracted time. I can’t imagine the mental anguish she most be going thru after her brutal reviews. I wish her well.