Auggie27 said: "Safe to say that Benko has grown in the role, too, at performance number eleven. Again, good for the audience, good for her, ultimately good for the show.
Someone elsewhere blamed Feldstein’s 4 performance contractual out in April for this opportunity to compare takes on the role. Not really fair or accurate. If last weekend’s apparent vocal rest was inevitable - perhaps even sooner with 4 more completed performances - the April out is irrelevant. But in the glass half full sense; if she can successfully negotiate the role’s demands 6 times a week, no two show days, maybe Feldstein can relax, settle in, and enjoy the run. And continue to grow. This seeming bump in the road may end up a happy (enough) ending for everyone."
I would just say this comparing both women in continuing to grow - to quote the song "It's not where you start, it's where you finish." To my mind, Beanie had a pre-rehearsal period, rehearsals and previews, as well as several weeks of the "actual" show and is still struggling. I commented on another blog early on about an alternate being introduced, like in Phantom. Even though the shows are vastly different - there is still pressure on the female lead in FG because of all the individual songs.
Julie has had, what 10...11, performances under her belt and, from what I've seen here, is pretty sensational. I would suspect because of her voice training, she could handle 8 shows, but I don't think it's a crime for Beanie to want/need some help. I've also seen comments that Julie is "generic" and better, but not a star. I don't know about that. Sometimes one just needs the opportunity to shine.
Will Julie's comedy timing get better - this seems to be a sticking point - and, tbh, expected. Likely, although she may not be gifted in that area to the extent Beanie is. I did see a video of a comedy sketch she wrote and produced and starred in that won some prizes. It was "gently" funny. A young Orthodox Jewish couple on their wedding night. Her comedy may not be as overt as Beanie's who does have great timing but it is there - just different.
Will Beanie ever be able to sing like a Broadway leading lady - doubtful. This is not mean, but the truth. She has a nice sound with some songs, but this score overall is beyond her singing abilities.
While I didn't expect Streisand - and, frankly, that criticism is getting old. I just expected Much More (Julie did a production of the Fantasticks). I, for one, did not want to see Beanie's path in FG - I wanted to see Fanny's path. This included acting and a connection with her leading man.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to see Julie and I really am sorry about that. I don't know if she will be a star, I sure do know she's worked her butt off to be one. Time will tell.
I don't see Beanie leaving, especially if she only does the six nights. As someone said, the logo is a picture of her. Not a lot of long-term thought seemed to go into this production. What if the show was a real hit (I'm sure they believed it would be) and Beanie got a movie (or some other unforeseen event - I won't even go into the idiocy of filming a movie over a period of 20 years) and someone else had to step in?
I wish both ladies well and hope each audience gets their money's worth.
One more thing, anyone can have an LLC - more than one, for that matter, under any name you want. Just do the paperwork and pay the fees.
Updated On: 5/28/22 at 10:03 PM
