Lea Michele as Fanny - Funny Girl - Page 5

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 6:22am

Auggie27 said: "Nobody wants to hear this but Ephie Aardema sang it similarly two weeks ago tomorrow afternoon and received damn near the same response. A powerful singer who focuses the number thus earns the reaction. I’m happy for all three current Fannys. Any of them will satisfy the audience and the show looks ready to coast into hit status. Bravo to all. We need hits. Always. The production must be pinching itself."

Who?  

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 6:58am

Tovah is so cute during that curtain call. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 7:48am

Impeach2017 said: "Auggie27 said: "Nobody wants to hear this but Ephie Aardema sang it similarly two weeks ago tomorrow afternoon and received damn near the same response. A powerful singer who focuses the number thus earns the reaction. I’m happy for all three current Fannys. Any of them will satisfy the audience and the show looks ready to coast into hit status. Bravo to all. We need hits. Always. The production must be pinching itself."

Who?"

The post specifically mentions the "three current Fannys." Context would indicate she is one of them. (She's the understudy.)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 8:20am

For those were asking, she did sign after the show last night. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 8:21am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOt6KFXp2tI

Ah. all is right in the world.

[Grief]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 8:28am

BCfitasafiddle said: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOt6KFXp2tI

Ah. all is right in the world."

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Thank you, whoever fixed this. 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 8:35am

MemorableUserName said: "Impeach2017 said: "Auggie27 said: "Nobody wants to hear this ...
The post specifically mentions the "three current Fannys." Context would indicate she is one of them. (She's the understudy.)"

Isn't a group of three or more Fanny Brices called a Fanny Pack? If not, I think it should.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 8:39am

The women do actually call themselves "The Fanny Pack" when Julie and Ephie first went on, Beanie got them each monogrammed Fanny Packs. And last night Julie and Ephie gave one to Lea. Very sweet.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 8:42am

I have never really cared for Lea Michele. Say what you want about her behavour, and past feelings. She was in the wrong. The bullying towards her *allegedly* not being able to read is down right mean, and uncalled for. 

She sounds great, and I hope like others have said, hopefully she can keep it up for her run in the show. I think that a comment on the TikTok video for "Don't Rain on My Parade" sums up everything perfectly:

"this was our worst fear. she’s absolutely brilliant"  

[BJR]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 9:34am

All I can say is, she delivers. And the crowd lost their minds. Indeed 4 ovation before Intermission and 2 more in Act Two.

Certainly a house full of friends and fans, but still. It was wild.

And she and Tovah are both already giving star performances. A couple shaky blocking moments with Tovah, both those will disappear. And Lea's comedy doesn't land every joke. But it was essentially a first preview; give that time, too.

What is already there are her vocals and acting, both impressive. Oh, and the original belted ending to Music that Makes Me Dance is back and she nails it.

It's basically one big case of giving the audience what they want, and they respond in kind.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 9:41am

Thanks for reminding me about the ending of “Musicl - it was nice to hear that belted ending. I had forgotten about that. 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 10:48am

I am very glad she did well, this is the role she always wanted. I saw her as a young lady in "Spring Awakening" and she was excellent. Let's hope this gives the show a boost in box office.

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 11:58am

After reading all of these comments I wonder if those people who were so vocal about "Don't let her anywhere near the WICKED film" may be having second thoughts about those remarks.  Not that it will change anything at this stage but maybe she wouldn't have been that bad of a choice.  We'll never know ... just happy to see such a "positive" response for a show that has been dealing with so much "negativity" ever since it was first announced.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:17pm

What a thrilling evening. Lea was prepared in every way, she was a rockstar and gave everything the entire show. She made Fanny her own and it's a brilliant interpretation. The audience obviously were her friends, family and huge fans but the ovations (I lost count in all the excitement) were all earned. It was like a different show this time. Nothing more to add that was not already said here. Catch her if you can guys, this is the role she was born to play. Truly. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:21pm

Aaaaaaand I’ve now started playing lottery every day for this show. Sounds like Michele can’t be missed! 
 

Also, The New York Times reports that she’s committed to the show into next year. 

Updated On: 9/7/22 at 12:21 PM

[Phillyguy]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:32pm

https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2022/9/7/was-lea-micheles-premiere-in-funny-girl-worth-the-six-standing-ovations

"When the curtain rose, I didn’t actually hear Lea Michele say “Hello Gorgeous” because as soon as she appeared, the audience went feral. The screams of support literally made my ears ring. I screamed too, despite myself. I had never experienced this kind of vicarious exhilaration in a theatre before."

"I have no doubt that she would have won the Tony award if she had originated this role."

Updated On: 9/7/22 at 12:32 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:42pm

I think Lea would have been nominated but Joaquina would have still won but who knows.

It is true it was hard to hear some of the words due to the large applause she received whenever she started or ended a song.

it makes me wonder if any producers reached out to Lea back 5-7 years ago to do a Funny Girl revival.

[geaj]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:57pm

I'm glad Lea did well, but after hearing the three, I decided to go with Thursday night tickets in December.  I think Julie B is the winner here.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:59pm

geaj said: "I think Julie B is the winner here."

Of what competition? Why do we have to pit women against each other all the time? Can't we celebrate the successes of one without pulling down another? Jeez.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 1:03pm

Wick3 said: "it makes me wonder if any producers reached out to Lea back 5-7 years ago to do a Funny Girl revival."

Ryan Murphy bought the rights and held them for a few years for her specifically. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 1:04pm

The competition is for who gets this persons money. I don’t think it’s about pitting women against each other it’s about who the poster chooses to spend a significant amount of money on. When there’s samples of something you choose which one you want and the internet provides those samples. If the tickets were $20 it would be a different story, I’m sure. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 1:10pm

Of what competition? Why do we have to pit women against each other all the time? Can't we celebrate the successes of one without pulling down another? Jeez."

Thank you. Only a man would say that anyways. We can support, elevate and celebrate all these incredible women at the same time. 

 

[cknick]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 3:38pm

Does the Box Office issue refunds if Lea Michele is out? I realize she just started, but wondering if anyone had experience with this situation when Beanie was in? I'm trying to squeeze it into a work trip next month but really only want to see it if Lea's in since it will be tough to make it work. Thanks!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 3:46pm

"Does the Box Office issue refunds if Lea Michele is out?"

Yes. She's above the title (as are Ramin, Jared and Tovah).

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 3:54pm

Let's not forget that people also love a comeback story. All of the profiles on Lea mention her bullying past and her mea culpa, part of which is just showing up, working professionally and trying to assimilate herself into an already established company. So while she is delivering a vastly improved performance, she is also giving audiences a narrative to feel good about. It's a humble move to be a replacement in a show. 

It's great PR for the show. I think it will have legs. 

In hindsight, the Beanie press was pretty bad. It was a lot of her talking about herself and clips of other cast members talking about how great she was. Seemed like overkill.