Julie Benko as Fanny - Funny Girl- Page 8

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 1:18pm

pmensky said: "Robbie2 said: "pmensky said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Yes, Babs was at a Plaza Suite. That might explain Beanie’s absence.

How does that explain it? You’d safely assume Beanie WOULD want to be performing so Barbra could see her during her visit. Why would she take the weekend off? Scared Barbra would see her in the show?"

Maybe she was afraid to perform for Barbra."

Barbra would have been lucky to see Julie over Beanie this weekend but she didn't see the show is what I heard."

Also, maybe the production was aware that Barbra was going to be in town but wasn’t planning on seeing the show. With Beanie being “sick,” it’s easier for them to say that Barbra didn’t go, because Beanie was out rather than have it look like she skipped the show for speculative reasons. Beanie’s standby being on is a good excuse for both the production and Barbra to explain why she didn’t see it."

 

Good lord, you all live in a crazy alternative world, I feel like. Are we REALLY making CONSPIRACY THEORIES that Beanie Feldstein called out because Babs was in town? This is RIDICULOUS. 

Beanie missed three performances (besides what was planned WAY in advance). NOTHING has been posted about her absence. She is likely just sick. MEANWHILE, the lead of A Strange Loop has been out for over a week and people are wishing him well - why is Beanie not getting the same support?

Oh. Because you guys are absolutely awful. I have NEVER seen anything like this here before, and that is saying a lot. 

 

[pmensky]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 1:20pm

n2nbaby said: "pmensky said: "Robbie2 said: "pmensky said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Yes, Babs was at a Plaza Suite. That might explain Beanie’s absence.

How does that explain it? You’d safely assume Beanie WOULD want to be performing so Barbra could see her during her visit. Why would she take the weekend off? Scared Barbra would see her in the show?"

Maybe she was afraid to perform for Barbra."

Barbra would have been lucky to see Julie over Beanie this weekend but she didn't see the show is what I heard."

Also, maybe the production was aware that Barbra was going to be in town but wasn’t planning on seeing the show. With Beanie being “sick,” it’s easier for them to say that Barbra didn’t go, because Beanie was out rather than have it look like she skipped the show for speculative reasons. Beanie’s standby being on is a good excuse for both the production and Barbra to explain why she didn’t see it."



Good lord, you all live in a crazy alternative world, I feel like. Are we REALLY making CONSPIRACY THEORIES that Beanie Feldstein called out because Babs was in town? This is RIDICULOUS.

Beanie missed three performances (besides what was planned WAY in advance). NOTHING has been posted about her absence. She is likely just sick. MEANWHILE, the lead of A Strange Loop has been out for over a week and people are wishing him well - why is Beanie not getting the same support?

Oh. Because you guys are absolutely awful. I have NEVER seen anything like this here before, and that is saying a lot.

You’re right. It’s totally ridiculous and a total coincidence that Beanie took her first unscheduled absence of the run, with no explanation, on the same weekend Barbra Streisand is in NYC seeing Broadway shows. How foolish to speculate that this was anything but a big coinkydink. 

 

[smidge2]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 1:30pm

You’re right. It’s totally ridiculous and a total coincidence that Beanie took her first unscheduled absence of the run, with no explanation, on the same weekend Barbra Streisand is in NYC seeing Broadway shows. How foolish to speculate that this was anything but a big coinkydink

 

Correct. Extremely foolish. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 1:30pm

Well, people KNOW that Jaquel is out sick as well as seeing Beanie out and about with her family, that took time out two weekend (in close proximity) for social interactions.   I'm not saying she should or shouldn't have - none of my business, frankly.

 

Yes, the conspiracy theories above are quite ridiculous.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 1:50pm

dramamama611 said: "Well, people KNOW that Jaquel is out sick as well as seeing Beanie out and about with her family, that took time out two weekend (in close proximity) for social interactions. I'm not saying she should or shouldn't have - none of my business, frankly.



Yes, the conspiracy theories above are quite ridiculous."

The pictures of her being "out and about with her family" are from 2019. Yes, the conspiracy theories are ridiculous.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 10:46pm

Here we go, folks.  Benko is back for tomorrow: Wednesday May 25, 2022 matinee performance.



 

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 10:47pm

Benko will be on tomorrow afternoon as well.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 10:51pm

Is Beanie alright? Hope she’s feeling okay. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 10:55pm

Azúcar! said: "Benko will be on tomorrow afternoon as well."

Same performance: Wed May 25 at 2pm. 

[bk]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 5:33am

So? Was Beanie in or not last night (Tuesday). 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 7:17am

bk said: "So? Was Beanie in or not last night (Tuesday)."

I have been told Beanie was on yesterday. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 7:19am

n2nbaby said: "The pictures of her being "out and about with her family" are from 2019. Yes, the conspiracy theories are ridiculous."

Ahh...I didn't realize, thanks for that.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 7:31am

I wouldn't be surprised to see an announcement soon that Feldstein is going down to 6 shows a week with Benko doing one of the performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays... I'm honestly surprised this wasn't planned from the very beginning considering it is a very demanding role. Guess we shall see.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 8:25am

Has the production issued statements on an adjusted schedule? Or will this be performance-by-performance? I went by the TKTS booth yesterday afternoon, and heard no one knew who was playing the Tuesday evening. Seats were available on the board for last night, and for the matinee as well. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 10:02am

Julie’s “The Music That Makes Me Dance” was especially beautiful - I can’t imagine wanting to cut it, as some suggested in the previews thread.

The suggestions to have the number cut was due to Beanie’s life-less interpretation.  Lucky they cut her trance-like twirls she was doing during the music interludes in the song.  Beanie made the song feel like it went on for 45 minutes.  You truly couldn’t wait for her to finish it.  

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 10:06am

bwayphreak234 said: "I wouldn't be surprised to see an announcement soon that Feldstein is going down to 6 shows a week with Benko doing one of the performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays... I'm honestly surprised this wasn't planned from the very beginning considering it is a very demanding role. Guess we shall see."

I’ve heard producers wanted to do this from the beginning, and that was then they were eyeing Micaela Diamond as the alternate which was speculated on this thread way back, but Micaela wanted 2 performances a week and Beanie didn’t want to share the spotlight so it fell through.  I would be very surprised if she changed her tune tbh, especially given how much better Benko’s reviews have been.  Could see producers stepping in though, since Benko’s shows have been selling much better.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 11:23am

Hamilfan2 said: "bwayphreak234 said: "I wouldn't be surprised to see an announcement soon that Feldstein is going down to 6 shows a week with Benko doing one of the performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays... I'm honestly surprised this wasn't planned from the very beginning considering it is a very demanding role. Guess we shall see."

I’ve heard producers wanted to do this from the beginning, and that was then they were eyeing Micaela Diamond as the alternate which was speculated on this thread way back, but Micaela wanted 2 performances a week and Beanie didn’t want to share the spotlight so it fell through. I would be very surprised if she changed her tune tbh, especially given how much better Benko’s reviews have been. Could see producers stepping in though, since Benko’s shows have been selling much better."

Selling better because of Benko?  I doubt that.  The advance is wearing off and the show is a semi regular on tkts.  

[alexidarling15]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 11:41pm

My friends were at today’s matinee and they were floored by Julie. They described her voice as “transcendent.” I really hope she takes over a few shows so that I can see her.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/26/22 at 10:28am

alexidarling15 said: "My friends were at today’s matinee and they were floored by Julie. They described her voice as “transcendent.” I really hope she takes over a few shows so that I can see her."

We're going tonight and hope Julie is on!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/26/22 at 11:04am

We're going tonight and hope Julie is on!

As things stand now, Beanie is back.  Julie immediately posts on her Instagram the moment she hears she’s going on to give people advance notice.  This past Friday night she learned she was going on 2 hours prior so things can change very last minute.  As her standby, she’s on call and has to be available to rush to the theatre at any moment.  

[pmensky]

Posted: 5/27/22 at 11:09pm

Benko is on for tomorrow’s matinee.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/27/22 at 11:15pm

Yep; just read it on Instagram.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/27/22 at 11:17pm

pmensky said: "Benko is on for tomorrow’s matinee."

I guess it’s safe to assume an alternate matinee Fanny will soon be announced.  

[pmensky]

Posted: 5/27/22 at 11:19pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "pmensky said: "Benko is on for tomorrow’s matinee."

I guess it’s safe to assume an alternate matinee Fanny will soon be announced. "

Or perhaps Beanie will be taking weekends off.

[felixleiter]

Posted: 5/28/22 at 8:12am

I posted this on the other Benko thread, but I thought I would share it here also.  Too bad we never merged these threads...

Earlier this week I connected with some people associated with this show and got the scoop. None of it is surprising, but I thought I would confirm and clear up some of the speculation. The role IS indeed fatiguing for Beanie, hence her absences this previous weekend-That had nothing to do with her being ill at all. The team is preparing for Beanie only appearing in 6 shows a week with Benko appearing when the performance schedule calls for a 2 show day. As people mentioned before, there are implications to this aside from just putting in an insert into the playbill. Benko's contract will be adjusted and of course her reps will push for some sort of acknowledgment of her assuming the role, even in this limited fashion. Also, remember that this also is somewhat of an admission from the production that Beanie has, to put it delicately, some limitations, and that along with all the chatter, the reviews, the Tony snub, etc, isn't contributing to the best situation backstage. It's not a viper pit by any means, it's more just an overall sad situation for all involved, especially since, by all accounts, Beanie is a lovely person and very enjoyable to work with. There was an expectation that there would be a whole lot more excitement around this revival and that the production team would be trotting out their star for a myriad of press avails. A lot of that is up in the air right now and some re-shuffling of some of those booked appearances and how much of Beanie they will actually show is still, as of this week, being re-thought. A very tough situation when your logo is a caricature of that star. Nevertheless, from what the company has been told-the box office numbers are still good and the production as a whole is fairly secure in their employment at least into the fall.