Lea Michele as Fanny - Funny Girl - Page 68

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 8:39pm

Bear88 - you're really, really going to enjoy yourself. Lea is an absolute supernova on that stage. Not only is she in thrilling voice, but her comedic prowess is on full display. You can tell she has so clearly researched every detail about Fanny Brice's life and it all comes out of her. She leaves nothing for herself and gives it all to the audience - just like Fanny. I'm happy you've got tickets. I'm hoping to see Lea at least twice more before the show closes. 

[DAME]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 9:10pm

bear88 said: "n2nbaby said: "I can’t wait for Funny Girl to close. It truly brings out the very worst of BroadwayWorld, and my lord is that saying something."

Touche. This thread hasn't brought out the best in me either. But it can't close before my wife and I get a chance to see it, and we do have tickets. Hopefully, the second time's a charm."

 

Funny Girl talk will be going on till way after the tour is over.  It has and will be good dish.  And I have been enjoying the chat from beginning to end. 

As far as filming.. I agree that the strike put an end to whatever hope there was of that.  She can always come back to it and they could film it in the yet announced Los Angeles engagement.  Joining Newsies, Sweeney Todd , and other shows that have filmed their broadway stars doing their shows in the West Coast.   Just a thought.  Not that I feel it needs to happen.  Some things are meant to be seen live.  Thrilled I got to experience Lea in the theater. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 9:23pm

CindersGolightly said: "Bear88 - you're really, really going to enjoy yourself. Lea is an absolute supernova on that stage. Not only is she in thrilling voice, but her comedic prowess is on full display. You can tell she has so clearly researched every detail about Fanny Brice's life and it all comes out of her. She leaves nothing for herself and gives it all to the audience - just like Fanny. I'm happy you've got tickets. I'm hoping to see Lea at least twice more before the show closes."

I don't know about research - I know Julie did an enormous amount. With Lea, I think Fanny became an organic part of her - a role she simply had to play.

A friend of mine just saw Ramin as the Phantom in the Trieste production (Saturday and today). She said at first, she thought, yes, Ramin as Phantom, but, no, he WAS the Phantom (no disrespect to Michael Crawford, but it is what it is). This was a show he first saw at age 13 and was determined to play. On another note, when she saw FG, she saw Ramin playing Nicky and Lea being Fanny. 

I have to agree. Sometimes a character just belongs to a certain artist, no matter how good another artist may be "acting" the role. Not sure if anyone wants to be Nicky, though. LOL.

Happy to hear you are going to be seeing it again.

 

[bear88]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 9:50pm

CindersGolightly said: "Bear88 - you're really, really going to enjoy yourself. Lea is an absolute supernova on that stage. Not only is she in thrilling voice, but her comedic prowess is on full display. You can tell she has so clearly researched every detail about Fanny Brice's life and it all comes out of her. She leaves nothing for herself and gives it all to the audience - just like Fanny. I'm happy you've got tickets. I'm hoping to see Lea at least twice more before the show closes."

I'm making no assumptions, because people do get sick, but it's certainly one of those musicals - and performances - that seems like it needs to be seen on Broadway if possible. I'm sure the energy in the theater, during its last week, will be especially high. My wife and I are looking forward to it.

[mememe]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 8:00am

bwayphreak234 said: "Man, this production of Funny Girl has really botched it with casting and/or casting announcements in some way... First we had Feldstein who proved she couldn't vocally handle the role from the second that first rehearsal clip was released. Then we had her "departure" and Michele's casting announcement, both which were pretty poorly handled... and now this...

They're on track to close in the black on Broadway (I think, anyways). I anticipate the tour will do fairly well between subscription seats already being front-loaded in at all the tour stops combined with single ticket sales from being a fairly well-known property. Michele singlehandedly saved the Broadway production from being a financial disaster, but it's truly a shame that at pretty much every turn the casting for the lead has been such a chaotic mess."

Whatever anyone’s feelings on this productions casting choices, you are absolutely correct in that it  was undeniably messy in terms of it’s handling.

The production team cannot possibly have gone into the process of casting the tour, without this in mind…unless this is some real life Leo & Max producing and the whole thing was supposed to be a tax write off, that keeps making good and they have ‘no way out!’ 
 

The young lady cast for the tour must really be something special. Whilst many previous posters are absolutely correct that legally speaking, the production can’t be asking about religious or ethnic background, it would be naive to imagine they haven’t investigated this, there are avenues of trying to find those things out even if it’s having an assistant trawl through Facebook photos. They cannot have cast this person without having a good indication. Not after all the drama they have already had. 
 

Whatever anyone feels on that front, the hate this actor is getting on social media, and sometimes directed directly at her via her own socials, as people have said, is really uncomfortable.

[Phillyguy]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 8:20am

mememe said: "Whatever anyone’s feelings on this productions casting choices, you are absolutely correct in that it was undeniably messy in terms of it’s handling.

The young lady cast for the tour must really be something special. Whilst many previous posters are absolutely correct that legally speaking, the production can’t be asking about religious or ethnic background, it would be naive to imagine they haven’t investigated this, there are avenues of trying to find those things out even if it’s having an assistant trawl through Facebook photos. They cannot have cast this person without having a good indication. Not after all the drama they have already had."

Messy yes, but at least it's turning out to be a commercial success, which, in these days, is not a guarantee. 

I wasn't sure if I was going to see FG on tour, but these discussions actually made me more curious. For this show to work, you really need a star, someone you believe in, who has the talent, but no one knows it. As you said, for the producers to go through such troubles, she may actually be that star. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 9:54am

"The young lady cast for the tour must really be something special. Whilst many previous posters are absolutely correct that legally speaking, the production can’t be asking about religious or ethnic background, it would be naive to imagine they haven’t investigated this, there are avenues of trying to find those things out even if it’s having an assistant trawl through Facebook photos. They cannot have cast this person without having a good indication. Not after all the drama they have already had"

Let's not forget the producers and creatives of this production also initially cast Beanie Feldstein who was completelty illl equipped for the part. I don't say that to infer the actress cast for the tour may be of questionable talent, only as evidence that those overseeing this production have made questionable choices throughout this process without any evident forecasting of their potential consequences.

In casting an unknown for the tour, the only viable press angle was going to be "the star is born" strategy.  Even if Katarina does end up being good in the role, that narrtative now will be perpetually caveated with the controversy of her casting. They have totally shot themselves in the foot. 

 

 

[Kad]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 10:48am

The controversy, such as it is, has already begun to quiet. Moreover, it never broke through into news sources to make it something people outside of a very niche, very online theater fan circle would even be aware of- which couldn’t be said about the Feldstein debacle and the subsequent replacement by Lea, which became fodder for tabloids and news stories in major media. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 10:57am

Over the weekend the story was picked up by AM New York and also on a number of Jewish news outlets. I'm sure others will follow.

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 10:58am

Given the current climate of antisemitism (and resurgence of such tropes in QAnon and similar circuits) and reactionary "anti-woke" sentiment, it's probably just as well this story hadn't broken out into the general public consciousness because it could easily have evoked even uglier backlash. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 11:10am

No one I know has heard anything about any of these ramblings going on AND several follow Broadway. I guess it's safe to assume that because this is the tour its evading people's radars. I'm sure had this been Broadway, it would have made national news and even brought up on The View, etc. Time to go back to the regular programming or Ben Platt and his publicist evading a Rolling Stones reporter's question regarding that New York Magazine NEPO BABY article during a recent press junket for the new film THEATER CAMP.     

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 11:23am

News in the real world doesn't move as quickly as Twitter or a Broadway message board. It takes time for stories to be picked up by official press outlets because they fact check and reach out for comment.  The story HAS just begun to be picked up by news outlets and will start going wide. Then we will know if its a big deal or not.

[CatLady3]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 2:26pm

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 2:41pm

Let's get this thread back to Lea Michele as Fanny - Funny Girl. 

 

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 7:31pm

Kad said: "The controversy, such as it is, has already begun to quiet. Moreover, it never broke through into news sources to make it something people outside of a very niche, very online theater fan circle would even be aware of- which couldn’t be said about the Feldstein debacle and the subsequent replacement by Lea, which became fodder for tabloids and news stories in major media."

Fair point, but just wait: this poor girl is going on tour. She is going to be thrown to the press in city after city. I do not think this issue is going away by any stretch (nor should it).  

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 9:01pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Kad said: "The controversy, such as it is, has already begun to quiet. Moreover, it never broke through into news sources to make it something people outside of a very niche, very online theater fan circle would even be aware of- which couldn’t be said about the Feldstein debacle and the subsequent replacement by Lea, which became fodder for tabloids and news stories in major media."

Fair point, but just wait: this poor girl is going on tour. She is going to be thrown to the press in city after city. I do not think this issue is going away by any stretch (nor should it)."

I've been castigated for saying this before, but why are you calling her a "poor girl?" She is not a child, she's a young woman who has been in the business for some time. One would assume she knew what the casting notice asked for, if not directly, but by strong suggestion and chose to ignore that. She likely did the same when auditioning for another role in a show with a predominantly Jewish theme/cast. She and her agent decided it didn't matter.

When did people stop having to take responsibility for their decisions, especially one with such potentially volatile implications? Did they think no one would notice? Or if they did, would keep silent? Those days are over for the Jewish people.

What I find more reprehensible are the producers who have failed to protect two of their choices, having to know both were going to catch flak from the public for one reason or another. Obviously, her voice and performance convinced them to take a chance and turned their eyes from their own initial decision about casting a Jew to play Fanny. And, yes, every city the show plays will have people protesting. Hell of a way to kick off a tour for them and the biggest role in her career for Katarina.

I said earlier, the show is cursed - perhaps not by Fanny, but by Nicky who didn't want this show to be produced in the first place!

For those of you who are tired of my FG comments, this is the last one. Wasn't going to post this one, but seeing the "poor girl" business ticked me off. She's an adult. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 9:10pm

Penna2 said: "

I've been castigated for saying this before, but why are you calling her a "poor girl?" She is not a child, she's a young woman who has been in the business for some time. One would assume she knew what the casting notice asked for, if not directly, but by strong suggestion and chose to ignore that. She likely did the same when auditioning for another role in a show with a predominantly Jewish theme/cast. She and her agent decided it didn't matter.
."

Because I (and i dont think you) know any of what you just wrote to be necessarily true, and I find it very hard to believe she presented herself as Jewish in some nefarious fashion. Hard for me to get angry/worked up over someone trying to get their big break by auditioning, and the fault here lies solely with the producers. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 9:15pm

 And, yes, every city the show plays will have people protesting. Hell of a way to kick off a tour for them and the biggest role in her career for Katarina.
 

No one will care, no one will protest in any city and the tiny percentage of people bitching about this don't matter to the production. It's important to me that you actually understand that because even if something is a massive deal to you, it doesn't mean that it matters to millions of other people around America. They want to be entertained and she is enormously talented, that is all the masses need clearly because it's selling extremely well. Period. 

 

Updated On: 7/17/23 at 09:15 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 11:03pm

Yeah, I don’t think there are going to be protests in every city. The tour cast announcement on the production’s Instagram has over 18,600 likes, and I think it’s probably the same 200 - 300 people making negative comments and liking each other’s over and over again. The average ticket buyer just wants someone who is good in the role.

[QueenTwinnied]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 12:50am

"And, yes, every city the show plays will have people protesting. "

I'm sorry but you're truly delusional if you think people will be outside a theatre protesting when these online influencers have moved onto the next scandal de jour. I also think the idea that this will become a major news story at this point is wishful thinking. I doubt it will ever be asked about in local press (that hardly anyone pays attention to anyway) and if it is, she'll be highly prepared to answer those questions.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 10:21am

All the major Jewish celebs I’ve seen have posted in favor of the casting - Bruce Villach, Michael Musto, etc. I think it’s a non-issue now. Just hope she blows it out of the water or else the haters will be back. 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 2:27pm

Penna2 said: "And, yes, every city the show plays will have people protesting."

BALDERDASH

 

[NoItAll]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:53pm

Highland Guy said: "Penna2 said: "And, yes, every city the show plays will have people protesting."

BALDERDASH
 
For Jews who dorh protest zu viel:
Words to the wise 

Updated On: 7/18/23 at 05:53 PM

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 7:51pm

There needs to be a separate topic where people can vent about what they feel are horrible casting injustices, because

(1) 99.8% of the ticket-going public doesn't care whether a Jewish character is played by a non-Jew, as long as the person gives a good performance.  There will be picketing of theatres on the road because why?  Note: there won't be unless some of the folks on this board fly to those tour cities.  And didn't we establish that the person cast as Fanny is, in fact, Jewish.  I guess some people won't consider it authentic casting unless the person chosen to play Fanny has ancestors whose origin goes back to the same Eastern European village that FB's ancestors lived in.  

(2) It is boring and takes the subject off on a tangent.

The irony is that the same people who obsess about the casting of FB probably loved Nathan Lane play Max Bialystock, even though his ancestors came from Ireland and he was raised a Catholic.  But that's okay.  The same people are pushing for Alex Newell, born a biological male, to be cast as Effie, born a biological woman.  One could argue that 'authentic' casting would rule out AN, but they don't care.  The pure arbitrariness of some of these strong opinions is tiresome.

Now, I personally would be fine if AN were cast as Effie, as long as AN gives their all throughout the show and now just in their big scenes (remembering comments on this board re AN's not being as engaged when they are not stage center -- I have not seen it yet, so I am not pushing this as my own opinion) and not just in Effie's big numbers.  I have to say that I personally hate the use of the word word 'they' being used to refer to a single person...someone needs to come up with a new adjective.

So, next time you feel the need to bore people with some passion you have about inappropriate casting, start a new thread and don't clog these threads (e.g., the title of this thread is 'Les Michelle as Fanny - Funny Girl'.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 9:41pm

Jarethan said: "

The irony is that the same people who obsess about the casting of FB probably loved Nathan Lane play Max Bialystock, even though his ancestors came from Ireland and he was raised a Catholic. But that's okay. The same people are pushing for Alex Newell, born a biological male, to be cast as Effie, born a biological woman. One could argue that 'authentic' casting would rule out AN, but they don't care. The pure arbitrariness of some of these strong opinions is tiresome.

."

Infuriating how many people keep banging their head against a wall to make a pointless point. Not only is Max Bialystock, ya know, FICTIONAL, but The Producers did not promote itself as emphasizing the importance of Max Bialystock's heritage, did not emphasize the Judaism in the book in marketing/promotions, and was not produced in the context of a push for representation.  I agree that representation is a nice idea but should not get in the way of solid casting, but IGNORING this context to make the same point again and again is just downright offensive by now in that it simpy discards the concerns raised by people (and not just Jews, another slur that keeps getting bandied about here).