Lea Michele as Fanny - Funny Girl — Page 13

So many thoughts and questions about this one:

1) That audience is clearly there for Lea. Let the girl finish a freaking song before you start applauding so ferociously! Aren’t you there because you want to HEAR her?

2) I detested the pacing of this. After an entire act, you rush through the number that everyone’s been waiting for?! Cut something else and let us revel in that moment.

3) Nicky Arnstein’s Luck Be a Lady moment?! No. Ramin is many things, but a dancer he ain’t.

4) That set? Hideous. Worst thing about the show.

5) I want to hug Jared Grimes. 

6) Tovah was good, but not great. Something felt off.

7) The card playing kibbitzing ladies were my favorites.

8) Was I watching Lea Michele do Barbra, Lea Michele do Fanny, or Lea Michele doing Rachel Berry doing one of those ladies? There were a lot of layers to unpack.

I had no interest before, but I felt like between the Beanie drama and the Lea hullabaloo, I had to see it with my own eyes. Glad I did. 

Really curious to see the show's grosses for this week with Michele back.

cjmclaughlin10 said: "She is a guest on Drew Barrymore today. Does this mean she is out of the matinee? Currently headed into NYC and will be super upset if I travel for hours and she’s doing a TV appearance"

It's a recorded segment, taped on the August Wilson stage.

https://twitter.com/DrewBarrymoreTV/status/1572349996300730373

Updated On: 9/21/22 at 09:59 AM

'The Drew Barrymore Show': Lea on her 1st 'Funny Girl' & a fateful phone call 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfEkQm2iQAo

Updated On: 9/21/22 at 03:49 PM

Here's a really great podcast interview with Lea on playing Fanny and being in the show.

 

Broadway Show Uncut

gypsy101 said: "Seb28 said: "Has anyone noticed that Lea sings her songs in this show in a lower key?

I thought she was great, actually the best Fanny in this production so far, but the other girls including Julie Benko sing it in a higher key. I thought that is quite interesting and I did not expect that to be needed for Lea."

this made me curious about Lea's keys vs. Barbra's so I checked: Lea Michele sings Who Are You Now, I'm the Greatest Star, Cornet Man, People, You Are Woman, Don't Rain On My Parade, Sadie Sadie and the finale in the keys shown in the original vocal score; she sings The Music That Makes Me Dance down a half step; the title song from the film is sang down a whole step. however, Barbra's keys for You Are Woman and Don't Rain on My Parade (on the OBCR) are a half-step higher than in the vocal score. [note: despite my best efforts i'm not sure about Lea's keys for His Love Makes Me Beautiful, I Want to Be Seen With You or Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat]

the topic of the keys reminded me that Barbara Cook once played Fanny back in the 60s, I wish I could hear her sing the songs. she only ever recorded Who Are You Now (at her 75 carnegie concert) which is up2 and a half steps, i wonder what her other keys were like (though i guess her concert arrangement could have been transposed from when she played the part)"

What a great piece of research. When I saw how the key was lowered slightly for TMTMMD and FG it reminded me of an interview I saw with Sierra Boggess talking about The Little Mermaid and how they raised the key (I assume this was after she was cast) to make her sound younger. I wonder if the choice was made not only because Fanny is older, but to emphasize the heaviness/darkness she was feeling. Lowering the key in these songs would make the finale seem higher and brighter when in the written key. 

Trying to figure out how to see the show with Lea - so much of what I hear in her interviews is her perception of the show is what I always believed it to be. In any event, I am enjoying the audios on YouTube - as well as the one video of TMTMMD. She really has captured Fanny IMO.

I'm The Greatest Star being filmed?

Penna2 said: "The Pesky Pescatarian said: "I'm The Greatest Star being filmed?"

Can't access - says the link is broken. "

Sorry! I went back to find the post on Instagram and it was gone! That thing got wiped fast. But I did find this screenshot of it on Twitter. 

Theater Mania interview with Lea and Tovah.

 

The bootleg video of Lea singing TMTMMD has been up for almost a week and has 33K views on YouTube, making it very clear that the production not only doesn't care, but also wants people to see it. 

Of course they'll do a cast album now.  Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they lobby for an honorary Tony Award.  The producers are gonna milk this sudden change in fortune for all its worth, as they should. 

All these reviews are going to compare Lea to Beanie.  I hope Julie will get some recognition for her stellar performance.

This morning I noticed the Funny Girl Twitter and Instagram started using a pull quote from the Daily Beast. But that review was from Lea and Tovah's first show. Thought it was odd.

After years of being pretty meh on Funny Girl(movie, I think I was shocked a few years ago to realize it was a stage show first), I've come to love The Music That Makes Me Dance and I think Coronet Man is a bop! I'd love a cast recording, but I just don't think it will be happening. 

Lea's extended interview on The Broadway Show.