Lea Michele as Fanny - Funny Girl - Page 58

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:07pm

CindersGolightly said: "well y'all fought really hard on this board a year ago saying that Beanie accepting the role was 100% her fault - at least her casting was authentic.

but sure, the grown ass adult actor who has a broadway credit under her belt and just got done doing Piazza at Encores not a month ago definitely needs to be defended for accepting a role that isn't hers to play. go off, babes!! defend your diva."

My guess would be that Katerina likely initially auditioned for an ensemble part first and was invited by the production team to then audition for Fanny. As a young actor auditioning for her first national tour, I could see why it would be really difficult for her to turn down that opportunity. If the production team was encouraging her to do so and implying that her not being Jewish was a non-issue, I could see why she would have made this choice. I put much more of the blame on the production team than on a young, fairly new actress who was offered a starring role in a huge national tour. That would be a very hard thing for anyone to turn down. It was the production team’s responsibility not to put her in that position in the first place.

[mshalo18]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:22pm

Katerina McCrimmon MTMMD

Performance begins at 2:13. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:26pm

First of all, CindersGoLightly, your response to me was childish and inappropriate, and only weakens your argument. And to those of you who “liked” their comment, assuming you are mature adults and can remember a time only a few years ago when posters on this board could discuss sensitive topics without resorting to nasty, juvenile remarks, I encourage you to reflect upon that time and see if you can once again be the thoughtful, civilized individuals that I’m sure you can be.

Second, there is no “correct” answer to this issue (that’s part of what is supposed to make it fun to discuss). There are only opinions. Clearly, there some very strong opinions about it here. I acknowledge and respect where everyone is coming from. 

Third, as I mentioned, Lea Michelle was raised Catholic. I know her father is ethically Jewish and she therefore has Jewish heritage - I too can use Wikipedia. But she is not Jewish. I am in a similar situation: I have Jewish heritage on my father’s side, but do not identify as Jewish, and have played Jewish characters professionally. Is that weird? I think it is a little. I also think it’s weird that everyone has been raving about Lea as Fanny Brice, but some of those same people think that having this Katerina person in the role is a “harmful” act. Since she’s only half Jewish, is Lea’s casting only half-way harmful?

The point I’m trying to make is this: there will never be a consensus about what it means to be Jewish, or how to measure the “amount” of someone’s Jewishness (if any) against their appropriateness for a role. So please, let’s discuss, but if everyone can make an effort to be decent human beings while doing so, that would be great. Thanks.

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:28pm

No one is harassing her for taking a job she should have had the better sense and understanding not to have auditioned for in the first place. 

Really? So you're on socials right now as she's getting openly harassed? Nah. Take several seats and hush. The producers had their pick so write them a long letter complaining (which they'll never read). 

Good news? She's cast and none of your opinions matter anymore. Don't see it, nobody cares. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:30pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I’m so tired of these “only ___ people can play ____ roles” arguments. Half of it is because it defeats the whole purpose of acting (we’ve had amazing performances come out of people who aren’t exactly ‘true to character&rsquo and for a board that loves to bring of nepotism every now and then, I’m not sure how this stance is helping. Someone earlier literally said that Beanie’s casting made sense because she’s Jewish. If you’d rather have a mediocre performances for the sake of…I don’t know, a Playbill bio? Representation (thats already been crafted into the damn show itself)?

Sure, let’s not go for whoever is best for the role. Let’s just go with whatever person matches the character’s background as close as humanly possible, the actual performance itself be damned. We’ll see how that fairs for our industry.

You guys really think these casting agents have ten years to sit around and cast a damn show with a long running list of perfect people that they overlooked for a non-Jew making their leading debut. Do you even hear yourselves? It’s absurd."

Obviously not, but do you think she was the only person who auditioned? They could have not seen her and gone with an actual Jewish performer who most likely did audition, was talented, could have carried the show. Instead, they chose to open it up and instead choose to ignore Fannys background and disregard the fact that this show revolves around her JEWISH identity. Why is that okay?

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:39pm

RippedMan said: "Why is it her fault when the casting team brought her in, the director cast her, the producers all saw her and agreed she's right for the part...she's an actress taking a high profile, well paying gig."

Because she can read and, I would hope, had some awareness of who the person was she hoped to play. Apparently, neither was the case.

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:42pm

Sutton Ross said: "No one is harassing her for taking a job she should have had the better sense and understanding not to have auditioned for in the first place.

Really? So you're on socials right now as she's getting openly harassed? Nah. Take several seats and hush. The producers had their pick so write them a long letter complaining (which they'll never read).

Good news? She's cast and none of your opinions matter anymore. Don't see it, nobody cares."

They'll see it at the box office. That's if she isn't pulled or bows out before that. Now, you hush.

Updated On: 7/11/23 at 07:42 PM

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:54pm

Lea Michele is Jewish and has always identified as such, most commonly calling herself "half Jewish" in interviews - many of which are widely available for you to peruse. There is a video of her on Seth's Chatterbox where she talks about booking Fiddler and one day in rehearsal realizing that she was one of only three or four people in the cast who was actually Jewish - and although she said it with a joking cadence, she does mention feeling a little upset by that fact. I'm not "using wikipedia" to speak on this knowledge - I'm using instances from her own life and things she has said years and years and years before Glee or Funny Girl were ever in the mix for her. Even in Ragtime she played a Jewish girl and in 2004 she played Anne Frank. She has very rarely appeared on stage and not played Jewish. Because she is Jewish. And she identifies as such - and always has. YOU may not identify as Jewish, but she does. But thanks for the lecture.

xo, an actual Jewish person 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:55pm

Penna2 said: "Sutton Ross said: "No one is harassing her for taking a job she should have had the better sense and understanding not to have auditioned for in the first place.

Really? So you're on socials right now as she's getting openly harassed? Nah. Take several seats and hush. The producers had their pick so write them a long letter complaining (which they'll never read).

Good news? She's cast and none of your opinions matter anymore. Don't see it, nobody cares."

They'll see it at the box office. That's if she isn't pulled or bows out before that. Now, you hush."

Sadly, I'm not sure I'd be surprised if no one from the production says anything and this is not addressed. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 8:09pm

We all know that she is half-Jewish. I mentioned this in my response.

I understand your point of view. I don’t agree. Let’s move on.

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 8:17pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Penna2 said: "Sutton Ross said: "No one is harassing her for taking a job she should have had the better sense and understanding not to have auditioned for in the first place.

Really? So you're on socials right now as she's getting openly harassed? Nah. Take several seats and hush. The producers had their pick so write them a long letter complaining (which they'll never read).

Good news? She's cast and none of your opinions matter anymore. Don't see it, nobody cares."

They'll see it at the box office. That's if she isn't pulled or bows out before that. Now, you hush."

Sadly, I'm not sure I'd be surprised if no one from the production says anything and this is not addressed."

One would hope these producers would learn something from the early reports on Beanie - before they opened and certainly during previews. Not that she wasn't Jewish, but that she couldn't sing or act the role...and did not resemble Fanny physically. Several years ago, Sierra Boggess was scheduled to play Maria in West Side Story - I'm not sure where the production was supposed to take place. There was a big uproar and she bowed out. People do have a voice and I think this is a bigger issue than Katrina being able to sing or whatever. In Sierra's case, the character wasn't even a real person. Fanny Brice was very real and very Jewish, as has been discussed here. It was her essence. For me, there is something dim-witted and offensive about casting someone other than the ethnicity and, in my opinion, having a resemblance to the actual individual who once walked the earth. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 8:19pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "We all know that she is half-Jewish. I mentioned this in my response.

I understand your point of view. I don’t agree. Let’s move on."

Why don't you and Sutton Fosse take a walk together. We are supposed to "hush" and "move on" because you say so? Stop reading and scroll on by if you don't like the discussion. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 8:21pm

saying that Beanie accepting the role was 100% her fault - at least her casting was authentic.

How that work out? 

[alovingfan]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 8:33pm

You people are something else.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 8:40pm

alovingfan said: "You people are something else."

Yeah this board used to be fun. Now it is overwhelmed by people so eager to be outraged by everything that having a real conversation about anything other than “Who’s your favorite Elphaba?!?” is pretty much impossible.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 8:47pm

Hoping this tour finds its way to our part of Southern California.  If not, we will seek out other nearby cities where we can see "Funny Girl".  And should Lea perform the Los Angeles segment, we will be there, as well.

Sending our best to Katerina McCrimmon, Melissa Manchester, other cast members, and all involved with this touring company production.  We have every expectation that you will treat the memory of Fanny Brice with the respect and love she deserves!

Updated On: 7/11/23 at 08:47 PM

[pmensky]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 9:00pm

For anyone interested, Sarah Silverman discussed non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles in her podcast last year. HERE Is the link. She starts talking about it about a minute in. She offers the perspective of an actual Jewish comedienne working in showbiz.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 9:04pm

mshalo18 said: "Katerina McCrimmon MTMMD

Performance begins at 2:13."

She certaily has a stronger-belt voice than Julie Benko I bet Katerina will be great as Fanny! Mazel Tov! As for not being jewish? Shalom. 

[DAME]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 9:24pm

I hope this young lady slays and is fabulous.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 10:44pm

I’m just curious how people would feel if a Jewish girl were cast in the title role of a musical about a Cuban woman. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 10:59pm

QueenAlice said: "I’m just curious how people would feel if a Jewish girl were cast in the title role of a musical about a Cuban woman."

Outraged. That's the way it works these days. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 11:16pm

Well, I hope for Lea’s sake she’s not only allowed to play Jewish rolls. Apparently she’s attached to Chess but does she also have the same background and experiences as that character? How else could she possibly play the roll without having the exact same experiences as the character?

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 11:38pm

Penna2 said: "QueenAlice said: "I’m just curious how people would feel if a Jewish girl were cast in the title role of a musical about a Cuban woman."

Outraged. That's the way it works these days."

Yup! It would be non-stop from the biggest names in the industry. 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 11:47pm

And Melissa Manchester.  Oh yeah.

 

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/12/23 at 12:29am

RippedMan said: "Well, I hope for Lea’s sake she’s not only allowed to play Jewish rolls. Apparently she’s attached to Chess but does she also have the same background and experiences as that character? How else could she possibly play the roll without having the exact same experiences as the character?"

First of all it's role not roll.

Secondly, and most significantly, we are discussing Fanny Brice being a Jewish icon who actually lived, not other characters in fictional stories. Big difference and why there is such a furor for many of us about this casting. 

Also, one other point to those who think that people across the country won't notice. Perhaps not, but I suspect the outrage on IG is more indicative of how people in general will feel about this issue than some posters here. They may not say so in so many words, but a lack of turnout at the box office will tell the tale.

I'm am not about harassing people on SM. I've been there and it isn't fun, especially when unwarranted. It's cowardly in usually unfair and often untrue. However, this seems to be the only way to express outrage and Jewish outrage is ancient and deep. This isn't the same color-washing that is going on these days. I don't feel particularly bad for Katrina because she likely feels she deserves the role despite how the casting notice read. I don't doubt she's very talented. As President Truman said, though: if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. If the producers are mystified, perhaps they need to review why they were seeking Jewish actresses from the get go. Because it was the right thing to do - for the show and for the community at large.

As I noted earlier, this show seems to be cursed with stupidity on the part of the respected producers. 

Glad to hear Lea's presence in the show will pay back the investors with hopefully a little profit as well to disclose on their LLC tax returns.

 

Updated On: 7/12/23 at 12:29 AM