Lea Michele as Fanny - Funny Girl - Page 43

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 10:13pm

StylishCynic said: "CatLady3 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "I had a feeling this title would surpass MG’s single-week record around Christmastime.

The goal for them is to rake in as much dough as possible with Michele these next number of months, since the show is likely going to close in May at the end of her contract. At this rate, they might come very close to breaking even. Who knows, maybe they’ll recoup close to shuttering.

All this goes to show there is noFunny Girlwithout Michele. If it tours, she’ll launch it at the very least.
"

Pretty sure they've already recouped - FG has been averaging $1.7m for 14 weeks and I read that capitalization was $15m. Not to mention the early $1.3m weeks from Beanie's run..."

There seems to be a trend —especially with Rudin’s shows— as of late where shows are withholding their recuperation announcements.
Hello, Dolly! didn’t announce until near the end of Bette’s second run and that never quite added up (unless Bette was truly taking a huge piece of the pie home).
It’s almost like the producers want theater fans to believe a narrative where the shows still desperately need to sell out at these enormous ticket prices or the investment is at risk. Seems they’re afraid of telling the world they made back all their money after 6 months and everything after is pure profit. So now they wait until the closing date is announced and then wait a few weeks before for a last PR hurrah."

I think it was well known that the weekly nut for Hello Dolly! was through the roof. Jerry Herman and Bette Midler charged an arm and a leg. Apparently the investors didn't really get much back for Hello Dolly! 

Here's an article about the financials of Hello Dolly!:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/leeseymour/2018/08/27/hello-dolly-closes-with-broken-records-trickling-roi/?sh=6bbe7f7f2dd0

Another article says an investor only made $5000 back:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/theater/scott-rudin.html

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 8:40am

Robbie2 said: "Observation said: "Maybe completely out of left field, but any chance they're thinking of a Funny Girl movie remake with Lea?"

Lea Michele Reacts to Barbra Streisand Suggesting She Direct Her in a 'Funny Girl' Movie Remake

https://www.etonline.com/lea-michele-reacts-to-barbra-streisand-suggesting-she-direct-her-in-a-funny-girl-movie-remake

"

Hm. My other comment seems to have been deleted? I truly hope not. Oy. No thanks. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 1:38pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Robbie2 said: "Observation said: "Maybe completely out of left field, but any chance they're thinking of a Funny Girl movie remake with Lea?"

Lea Michele Reacts to Barbra Streisand Suggesting She Direct Her in a 'Funny Girl' Movie Remake

https://www.etonline.com/lea-michele-reacts-to-barbra-streisand-suggesting-she-direct-her-in-a-funny-girl-movie-remake

"

Hm. My other comment seems to have been deleted? I truly hope not. Oy. No thanks."

I agree. No, thanks.

I have to ask: has Barbra seen the show (with Lea in it, I mean)? Lea seems to be doing just fine without her directing influence. A word from one old lady to another: You had your moment (50 odd years), let Lea have hers. Let it go. 

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 7:05pm

Kind of a random observation, but Lea would make a great Evita. I think it's part of why I wasn't a huge fan of her performance in this, from the very start she plays Fanny like the cat who is either just about to get or has just gotten the cream. When she sings I'm The Greatest Star, you know she knows that you know she's the greatest star. It was just a weird dynamic to me, which is funny because the reason I didn't like Beanie was that you could tell she knew that she wasn't the greatest star (in this show, at least), and she knew that we knew, which felt awkward.

Also, it's interesting having seen Beanie, Julie, and Lea! I think I liked Julie the most, she really lived in the role and brought a kind of unselfconscious weirdness that reminded me of Maya Rudolph's best work.

[NoItAll]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 11:04pm

Charley Kringas Inc said: "Kind of a random observation, but Lea would make a great Evita. I think it's part of why I wasn't a huge fan of her performance in this, from the very start she plays Fanny like the cat who is either just about to get or has just gotten the cream. When she sings I'm The Greatest Star, you know she knows that you know she's the greatest star. It was just a weird dynamic to me, which is funny because the reason I didn't like Beanie was that you could tell she knew that she wasn't the greatest star (in this show, at least), and she knew that we knew, which felt awkward.

Also, it's interesting having seen Beanie, Julie, and Lea! I think I liked Julie the most, she really lived in the role and brought a kind of unselfconscious weirdness that reminded me of Maya Rudolph's best work."

You’ve identified the fact that Lea understands the character more completely. What you neglected is the fact that she’s also a much better singer.

People: Julie. Lea

Updated On: 12/22/22 at 11:04 PM

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 11:52pm

She’s a great singer, but her interpretation of the character wasn’t my favorite. When she sings “I’m The Greatest Star”, it feels almost like a demand, and I found myself missing the affable quality that Barbra and Julie brought to the role. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 8:39am

Penna2 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Robbie2 said: "Observation said: "Maybe completely out of left field, but any chance they're thinking of a Funny Girl movie remake with Lea?"

Lea Michele Reacts to Barbra Streisand Suggesting She Direct Her in a 'Funny Girl' Movie Remake

https://www.etonline.com/lea-michele-reacts-to-barbra-streisand-suggesting-she-direct-her-in-a-funny-girl-movie-remake

"

Hm. My other comment seems to have been deleted? I truly hope not. Oy. No thanks."

I agree. No, thanks.

I have to ask: has Barbra seen the show (with Lea in it, I mean)? Lea seems to be doing just fine without her directing influence. A word from one old lady to another: You had your moment (50 odd years), let Lea have hers. Let it go."

I am sure if she had seen it, we would have heard about it by now. And I'm glad we're in agreement about the movie! It would be completely unnecessary. The only movie we need is with Barbra. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 12:14pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Penna2 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Robbie2 said: "Observation said: "Maybe completely out of left field, but any chance they're thinking of a Funny Girl movie remake with Lea?"

Lea Michele Reacts to Barbra Streisand Suggesting She Direct Her in a 'Funny Girl' Movie Remake

https://www.etonline.com/lea-michele-reacts-to-barbra-streisand-suggesting-she-direct-her-in-a-funny-girl-movie-remake

"

Hm. My other comment seems to have been deleted? I truly hope not. Oy. No thanks."

I agree. No, thanks.

I have to ask: has Barbra seen the show (with Lea in it, I mean)? Lea seems to be doing just fine without her directing influence. A word from one old lady to another: You had your moment (50 odd years), let Lea have hers. Let it go."

I am sure if she had seen it, we would have heard about it by now. And I'm glad we're in agreement about the movie! It would be completely unnecessary. The only movie we need is with Barbra."

We do agree about the movie. I'm not a big fan of remakes of Oscar winning hits. However, I wouldn't mind a video of the show with Lea, Ramin, Tovah and Jared. Best of both worlds. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 12/26/22 at 3:20pm

Christmas in The City https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lHciZRBVHFXDpQYqjd4JblOFP1WcxaHfk

Updated On: 12/26/22 at 03:20 PM

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 3:43pm

Lea Michele gave a great interview days after her opening with Drew Barrymore. The Drew Barrymore Show has released a lot more of the interview months later. Lea talks in depth on her journey in the last scene and the finale as an actress. So great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CnnPt6pmUo

[Phillyguy]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 9:35pm

I would rather see them release the staged version of FG with Lea as opposed to a movie. That would be epic along the lines of the Phantom 25th anniversary edition. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 9:45pm

Phillyguy said: "I would rather see them release the staged version of FG with Lea as opposed to a movie. That would be epic along the lines of the Phantom 25th anniversary edition."

Agree 100%, especially since Ramin would be in both DVDs. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 11:07pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Penna2 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Robbie2 said: "Observation said: "Maybe completely out of left field, but any chance they're thinking of a Funny Girl movie remake with Lea?"

Lea Michele Reacts to Barbra Streisand Suggesting She Direct Her in a 'Funny Girl' Movie Remake

https://www.etonline.com/lea-michele-reacts-to-barbra-streisand-suggesting-she-direct-her-in-a-funny-girl-movie-remake

"

Hm. My other comment seems to have been deleted? I truly hope not. Oy. No thanks."

I agree. No, thanks.

I have to ask: has Barbra seen the show (with Lea in it, I mean)? Lea seems to be doing just fine without her directing influence. A word from one old lady to another: You had your moment (50 odd years), let Lea have hers. Let it go."

I am sure if she had seen it, we would have heard about it by now. And I'm glad we're in agreement about the movie! It would be completely unnecessary. The only movie we need is with Barbra."

I emphatically disagree.  How many filmed Hamlet’s are there; there are  multiple Show Boats as well, and lots of movies have been remade.

Funny Girl is not a perfect movie…the second half is really boring.  I occasionally watch the first half, skip to the swan number, and go to My Man.  I do this with few musical movies.  Admittedly, Act 2 a common problem, but there is always the possibility that someone can improve it.  

i haven’t read much in a long time, but we all read that Thomas Kail would be directing a remake of Fiddler, one of the most perfect movie transfers ever made.  Should Kail not do it because it was already been made?

I don’t care if it is a movie or a filmed production of the stage play, e.g., Hamilton, Sweeney Todd.  We have lost so many great performances…it would be a shame to lose another one that might actually be a success,  esteem Michele’s acclaim and the world of Glee fans out there who would probably jump at the opportunity to see it.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 11:21pm

Jarethan said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Penna2 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Robbie2 said: "Observation said: "Maybe completely out of left field, but any chance they're thinking of a Funny Girl movie remake with Lea?"

Lea Michele Reacts to Barbra Streisand Suggesting She Direct Her in a 'Funny Girl' Movie Remake

https://www.etonline.com/lea-michele-reacts-to-barbra-streisand-suggesting-she-direct-her-in-a-funny-girl-movie-remake

"

Hm. My other comment seems to have been deleted? I truly hope not. Oy. No thanks."

I agree. No, thanks.

I have to ask: has Barbra seen the show (with Lea in it, I mean)? Lea seems to be doing just fine without her directing influence. A word from one old lady to another: You had your moment (50 odd years), let Lea have hers. Let it go."

I am sure if she had seen it, we would have heard about it by now. And I'm glad we're in agreement about the movie! It would be completely unnecessary. The only movie we need is with Barbra."

I emphatically disagree. How many filmed Hamlet’s are there; there are multiple Show Boats as well, and lots of movies have been remade.

Funny Girl is not a perfect movie…the second half is really boring. I occasionally watch the first half, skip to the swan number, and go to My Man. I do this with few musical movies. Admittedly, Act 2 a common problem, but there is always the possibility that someone can improve it.

i haven’t read much in a long time, but we all read that Thomas Kail would be directing a remake of Fiddler, one of the most perfect movie transfers ever made. Should Kail not do it because it was already been made?

I don’t care if it is a movie or a filmed production of the stage play, e.g., Hamilton, Sweeney Todd. We have lost so many great performances…it would be a shame to lose another one that might actually be a success, esteem Michele’s acclaim and the world of Glee fans out there who would probably jump at the opportunity to see it."

Cool so we can agree to disagree :) Plus it doesn’t seem like YouTube is doing anything to take down her bootlegs. There’s footage out there. We don’t need a filmed production of everything. 

[bryan2]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 8:11am

I watched the movie for the first time in years and was surprised how much I didn't enjoy most of it. It was always up there as one of my favorite films and I love Barbra every time she opens her mouth. I found the movie kind of dull/. orchestrations sounded too Hollywood..the OBC album is full of life and crazy good and sounds so much better than the movie cast album to me. I was amazed how whiney she was. and kind of pathetic, something I never noticed before, and Omar was just meh!  The OBC and the New Broadway Cast albums are amazing and sound so alive ...I am sad they. could not capture that in the movie. Wish I had left the memory alone and not watched it. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 12:19pm

Lea’s out of today’s matinee, but nothing announced about the evening show:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmzLRLvOnw1

[Penna2]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 12:35pm

bryan2 said: "I watched the movie for the first time in years and was surprised how much I didn't enjoy most of it. It was always up there as one of my favorite films and I love Barbra every time she opens her mouth. I found the movie kind of dull/. orchestrations sounded too Hollywood..the OBC album is full of life and crazy good and sounds so much better than the movie cast album to me. I was amazed how whiney she was. and kind of pathetic, something I never noticed before, and Omar was just meh! The OBC and the New Broadway Cast albums are amazing and sound so alive ...I am sad they. could not capture that in the movie. Wish I had left the memory alone and not watched it."

I haven't watched the movie in years but did watch a few scenes on YouTube. Lea's People is far superior to Barbra's IMO. Not talking about their voices. The way it's staged in the movie, Barbra is halfway down the street from Nicky and is singing to who knows who? Not him. The staged version is more intimate, Nicky is right there and the closeness of the two of them accentuates her longing. The song is smaller in that sense, not a belt. I found it far more moving. Hard to compare different mediums, but I liked the stage version better. Also, I preferred the stage version of You Are Woman. In the film it just went on and on and on with Barbra making faces with the singing voice over. I remembered it differently and when I re-watched it, it wasn't as good.

No one will ever take away the thrill of Barbra's voice, but even just seeing clips of the show with Lea makes me want them to do a DVD of the show. Fingers crossed.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 1:48pm

Penna2 said: "bryan2 said: "I watched the movie for the first time in years and was surprised how much I didn't enjoy most of it. It was always up there as one of my favorite films and I love Barbra every time she opens her mouth. I found the movie kind of dull/. orchestrations sounded too Hollywood..the OBC album is full of life and crazy good and sounds so much better than the movie cast album to me. I was amazed how whiney she was. and kind of pathetic, something I never noticed before, and Omar was just meh! The OBC and the New Broadway Cast albums are amazing and sound so alive ...I am sad they. could not capture that in the movie. Wish I had left the memory alone and not watched it."

I haven't watched the movie in years but did watch a few scenes on YouTube. Lea's People is far superior to Barbra's IMO. Not talking about their voices. The way it's staged in the movie, Barbra is halfway down the street from Nicky and is singing to who knows who? Not him. The staged version is more intimate, Nicky is right there and the closeness of the two of them accentuates her longing. The song is smaller in that sense, not a belt. I found it far more moving. Hard to compare different mediums, but I liked the stage version better. Also, I preferred the stage version of You Are Woman. In the film it just went on and on and on with Barbra making faces with the singing voice over. I remembered it differently and when I re-watched it, it wasn't as good.

No one will ever take away the thrill of Barbra's voice, but even just seeing clips of the show with Lea makes me want them to do a DVD of the show. Fingers crossed."

Highly unlikely but you're welcome to keep those fingers crossed. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 2:29pm

TaffyDavenport said: "Lea’s out of today’s matinee, but nothing announced about the evening show:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmzLRLvOnw1"

Kudos to Julie who got to perform three times this holiday week.

[Hyde Park Hildy]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 4:02pm

Julie Benko is subbing for Lea Michele this afternoon. But I thought Ephie Aardema was the understudy who is supposed to sub for Lea if she's ill, while Benko only performs regularly on Thursday nights.

I saw the show on Monday, during my annual sojourn to New York, and I am another satisfied customer. Yes, Lea Michele is really all that and a bag of chips. She nails every aspect of this demanding role, from the vocals (she is a very exciting singer) to the comedy to the drama to the romantic scenes with Ramin Karinloo (they have great chemistry). Love her old-fashioned star charisma. Her performance here, along with Angela Lansbury's in the original production of Sweeney Todd, are the finest musical performances I've ever seen in a lifetime of theater-going.

As for the production overall, I agree with others that the costumes and scenery unfortunately look cheap. And I really wish the producers had shelled out for a full orchestra. Earlier this year I saw a terrific production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Lyric Opera, and the rich, lush orchestrations made me realize what I've been missing, compared to so many musicals today with their stripped-down orchestras.

On the other hand, the supporting cast--Karinloo, Tovah Feldshuh as Fanny's mother, and Jared Grimes as Fanny's choreographer pal--are all superb. I had a great time.

Updated On: 12/30/22 at 04:02 PM

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 4:13pm

That’s incorrect. Julie performs if Lea is sick or out of the show for any reason. Ephie Aardema only goes on if both Lea AND Julie can not perform. She’ll be on January 12th. Julie will be on vacation and missing her regular Thursday date. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 4:17pm

Is Ephie scheduled to go on when Lea is on vacation at the end of February? Or is Julie doing all 8 shows that week?

[Hyde Park Hildy]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 4:17pm

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 4:29pm

ACL2006 said: "Is Ephie scheduled to go on when Lea is on vacation at the end of February? Or is Julie doing all 8 shows that week?"

I bet Julie will do all 8; it’s only for a week and gets her more visibility.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/30/22 at 4:36pm

Julie Benko is scheduled for an entire week in February.  She's mentioned it on her Instagram page.