Lea Michele as Fanny - Funny Girl - Page 6

[Papi2013]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 3:55pm

geaj said: "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."

Then please bye all means go on a Thursday to see Julie.  I am sure she will appreciate your support.  That way those that are fans of Lea and want a little of the magic from seeing someone they know or follow can have a easier time trying to get tickets.  Go and enjoy.. so that we can as well. 

[Hope Lombardo]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:09pm

I've only loosely followed this discussion but it seems like the main problem people have had with her is that she's very unlikable as a real person. But, honestly, I don't plan to marry her or befriend her or even have a meal with her. All I want to do is watch a play.  

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:13pm

ElephantLoveMedley said: "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."

Seriously? Have you read the comments since this show first started previews?

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:14pm

Hope Lombardo said: "I've only loosely followed this discussion but it seems like the main problem people have had with her is that she's very unlikable as a real person. But, honestly, I don't plan to marry her or befriend her or even have a meal with her. All I want to do is watch a play."

Largely true (and I'm among those who think she's dislikable), but I also think she's too pretty for Fanny as conceived for Funny Girl, and I don't think she can really do comedy. I have no doubt she's singing the hell out of those songs.

Updated On: 9/7/22 at 04:14 PM

[Emma_Pillsbury]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:17pm

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

Ah. all is right in the world."

Absolutely PHENOMENAL! 

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:20pm

Bettyboy72 said: "It's a humble move to be a replacement in a show."

Even though technically she may be a replacement I think there's a large part of the audience feels like they are finally getting a chance to see the person that should have been cast in the role right from the beginning.  I'm not sure how "humbling" it really is in this instance.

 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:26pm

joevitus said: 
"Largely true (and I'm among those who think she's dislikable), but I also think she's too pretty for Fanny as conceived for Funny Girl, and I don't think she can really do comedy. I have no doubt she's singing the hell out of those songs."

Oh. She can do comedy. Boy, oh boy can she do comedy. She's hysterically funny in this role. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:27pm

Theatre Fan3 said: "Bettyboy72 said: "It's a humble move to be a replacement in a show."

Even though technically she may be a replacement I think there's a large part of the audience feels like they are finally getting a chance to see the person that should have been cast in the role right from the beginning. I'm not sure how "humbling" it really is in this instance.

"

I don't think this counts as humbling in the least. Maybe if it doesn't turn around the box office, but it's way too early to predict. (I know many will say that the roaring crowds demonstrate the show is now a hit--but that's what the people who saw Beanie early on said, too--lots of happy screams and ecstatic applause from the audience back then, too.)

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:35pm

Yep.  They over cheered for Beanie as well.  That was really crazy.

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:38pm

Papi2013 said: "geaj said: "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."

Then please bye all means go on a Thursday to see Julie. I am sure she will appreciate your support. That way those that are fans of Lea and want a little of the magic from seeing someone they know or follow can have a easier time trying to get tickets. Go and enjoy.. so that we can as well."

We are all winners now.  How fab.  Except for Beanie .  Poor thing. 

[Emma_Pillsbury]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:50pm

I am crossing my fingers that someone has the good sense to release a Broadway Revival Cast Recording of this show now that Lea Michele is in the role.

I am not sure if Lea is still under contract with Columbia Records but if she is maybe they can do it. 

[BarnabyTucker]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 4:52pm

Perhaps we'll get a live cast recording like SIX?  It would be cheaper than a studio recording; would avoid the issue of Jane v. Tovah for the album; and the audience would add some energy. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:04pm

Now that we have a competent leading lady, I would LOVE to get a new cast album. Not holding my breath, though.

[Skip23]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:07pm

Well she did “His Is The Only Music That Makes Me Dance” this afternoon. Fine but almost unnecessary. Would rather have heard “My Man”. 
 

Her scene work is great. And her voice is strong and commanding. I wish she was a bit more “melodious” in “People” but she doesn’t have a very warm vibrato if much of one at all. 
 

it’s now solidly a star vehicle and she’s every bit the Star. She even makes that strange “Sadie, Sadie” number work. 
 

They gotta do something about that awful “Private Schwartz” , tho. Just a train wreck and you can’t understand a word she says. 
 

Ramin is still fine and he navigates thru that weird “Arrangement” number with minor embarrassment.  His and Lea’s connection is solid and sexy. 
 

Tovah is kind of a hoot. She’s game for everything and having a great time up there. 
 

Still can’t forget:  what were they thinking with that original casting???

Updated On: 9/7/22 at 05:07 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:11pm

Skip23 said: "Well she did “His Is The Only Music That Makes Me Dance” this afternoon. Fine but almost unnecessary. Would rather have heard “My Man”.


She sings "Music That Makes Me Dance" at every performance.  This isn't like DROOD where the audience gets a vote in the ending.

 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:16pm

This isn't like DROOD where the audience gets a vote in the ending.

I wish it was.

 

[Skip23]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:16pm

JSquared2 said: "Skip23 said: "Well she did “His Is The Only Music That Makes Me Dance” this afternoon. Fine but almost unnecessary. Would rather have heard “My Man”.


She sings "Music That Makes Me Dance" at every performance. This isn't like DROOD where the audience gets a vote in the ending.

"

Did Beanie sing it?  I thought she only did a section of it. Oh well  I forgot so much of that performance.  Thank God they cut that awful rolling down the stage moment in “You Are Women”. 

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:31pm

"Thank God they cut that awful rolling down the stage moment in “You Are Women”."

That part got lots of laughter and applause the first five times I saw the show and was disappointed that neither Julie nor Lea decided to continue with it. I always loved the rolling down the stage moment, and am very surprised to hear that others disliked it. It was hysterical, in my opinion.

[Jimmyb1969]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:40pm

What an amazing night at the theatre! She tore that stage up and vocally she was on fire! I mean there’s no denying her star power! When I saw it months ago I couldn’t believe I said cut people and music…now that there’s a lead that can sing it - wow! Sexy energy with Ramin. And Tovah now provides the show with an emotional heart that was missing from Jane’s schticky portrayal. The trio of performers is solid and they’ll get amazing reviews. Act two seemed to move better but agreed still tricky. The whole thing was tighter. Even the orchestra sounded better but maybe that’s just because they had a leading lady who could carry a tune. I left the first time disappointed and angry, and the second time missing the electricity a star brings to the role and last night - my third I got what I was hoping for as did the audience. 6 well-deserved / earned ovations. The curtain call is still dreadful but oh well…Bravo Lea and welcome back to Broadway!

Updated On: 9/7/22 at 05:40 PM

[babyjunegem]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:50pm

joevitus said: "Hope Lombardo said: "I've only loosely followed this discussion but it seems like the main problem people have had with her is that she's very unlikable as a real person. But, honestly, I don't plan to marry her or befriend her or even have a meal with her. All I want to do is watch a play."

Largely true (and I'm among those who think she's dislikable), but I also think she's too pretty for Fanny as conceived for Funny Girl, and I don't think she can really do comedy. I have no doubt she's singing the hell out of those songs."

I'm confused by the assertions that she is "too pretty" to play Fanny. Barbra was stunning in the film and she had those emotive movie star eyes. A lot of people bring up the comedy aspect, but I for one have never found Funny Girl all that funny.

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 5:57pm

babyjunegem said: "joevitus said: "Hope Lombardo said: "I've only loosely followed this discussion but it seems like the main problem people have had with her is that she's very unlikable as a real person. But, honestly, I don't plan to marry her or befriend her or even have a meal with her. All I want to do is watch a play."

Largely true (and I'm among those who think she's dislikable), but I also think she's too pretty for Fanny as conceived for Funny Girl, and I don't think she can really do comedy. I have no doubt she's singing the hell out of those songs."

I'm confused by the assertions that she is "too pretty" to play Fanny. Barbra was stunning in the film and she had those emotive movie star eyes. A lot of people bring up the comedy aspect, but I for one have never found Funny Girl all that funny."

The difference is that Barbara was pretty (I'd go so far as to say beautiful) in a unique way. When the characters treated her, or Fanny herself felt like, an ugly duckling, you believed it, even while you saw more. But Leah is in no way out of step with our contemporary perceptions of an attractive woman. She's got typical good looks (especially for a musical theater actress). Streisand had unique looks far outside the typical mold in any medium. She broke the mold. 

Updated On: 9/7/22 at 05:57 PM

[AllThatJazz2]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 6:05pm

Do we know if Lea would be performing Thanksgiving weekend (namely Friday evening) or if that’s a day Julie is scheduled on instead? The reviews here have me thinking getting a ticket. 

And would Tovah be on regardless of who was playing Fanny (barring of course the usual unscheduled absences that can occur)? 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 6:07pm

Also wanted to make note of what a doll Lea was at the stage door. Gracious, took the time to talk to as many people as she could, sign as many playbills as she could. She went back inside to be with her family, but came back out again to sign more. 

She is handling this whole "comeback" moment with such professionalism and grace. No longer a diva, but a leading lady. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 6:11pm

AllThatJazz2 said: "Do we know if Lea would be performing Thanksgiving weekend (namely Friday evening) or if that’s a day Julie is scheduled on instead? The reviews here have me thinking getting a ticket.

And would Tovah be on regardless of who was playing Fanny (barring of course the usual unscheduled absences that can occur)?"

Lea is scheduled, unless in the case of illness or emergency, to perform Friday nights. Tovah should, unless in the case of illness or emergency, be scheduled for 8 shows a week including Thursdays with Julie.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 6:29pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "Also wanted to make note of what a doll Lea was at the stage door. Gracious, took the time to talk to as many people as she could, sign as many playbills as she could. She went back inside to be with her family, but came back out again to sign more.

She is handling this whole "comeback" moment with such professionalism and grace. No longer a diva, but a leading lady."

Loved your outfit last night!