Julie Benko plays FB tonight in Funny Girl — Page 5

Even one of the producers called Jullie ''luminous''!

You were luminous! Bravo

@JujujulieBee

@FunnyGirlBwy

for a wonderful afternoon. Audience went nuts!  

I've had several friends who've had successful careers as covers, and JSquared2's post is correct. Contracts are negotiated on individual protocols; no one size fits all is predetermined by union regs. 

Updated On: 5/29/22 at 08:53 PM

Peter C Yeager said: "Posted by Harvey Fierstein on his Twitter account:

"Based on an actual pic, Julie Benko, our fabulous Fanny stand-by, & Jane Lynch, our inimitable Rosie Brice, created this photo. Look at the book they are reading. Thank you Julie, Jane and all the rest of you merry-makers at FUNNY GIRL. You are the best."

"

According to her Instagram, Beanie has tested positive for COVID so seems like Julie will be on, and maybe Ephie will have her Fanny debut!! 

Curious to see if Julie plays the role all week now or if they let Ephie do a performance?

Auggie27 said: "The greater concern will be Benko's Covid status. This virus is now so ubiquitous, racing through every company and now infecting people twice (Colbert) it's hard to isolate standbys to protect them. One can imagine the need to ready the 2nd cover at a moment's notice."

I agree. They’ll definitely be prepping Ephie even more juuuust in case. But I can’t imagine she won’t be going on…we’ll see I guess 

jlindsey865 said: "Curious if this means that Julie will be the Fanny at the Tony awards this Sunday."

….oh my god. Curious….

Curiously, there is no return date given for Beanie.

Updated On: 6/7/22 at 10:54 AM

Dollypop said: "Curipusly, there is no return date given for Beanie."

I can't help but wonder --and this is a total conspiracy theory-- that maybe they're using this to tee up an out for Beanie?

Announce that Beanie has COVID before the TONY performance, don't specify a return date, debut Julie at the TONYS, then announce that Beanie has to pull away because of long COVID side effects with singing?

The whole experience seems to have soured on Beanie's mental health, and there are the reports that the role is too demanding for 8 shows a week. I don't wish ill on Beanie at all, but based on a cacophony of rumors that must have a fair amount of truth to them, then the above would seem to be an elegant solution for all involved.

BrodyFosse123 said: "Benko is on tonight (Tuesday June 7) but has no word on the rest of the week so it’s a day-by-day scenario. "

Maybe they’re also factoring in how ready Ephie is. 

Julie on funnygirlbwy IG introducing herself - says she'll be playing the role until she doesn't know when because Beanie has covid. So cute.