FUN OBSERVANCES ABOUT FUNNY GIRL 2.0 (I apologize - I needed a break from work)
1. The Overture is played at breakneck speed. Why? And still some klinkers from those instruments. Maybe because it's just too FAST!!!
2. Tovah is so tiny she has to skip/run everywhere. But she does it with great energy and fun. (Reminds me of Bette in DOLLY. I was exhausted watching her sprint everywhere.)
3. "I'm The Greatest Star" - better, but couldn't she have one or two moments where we REALLY see the star in her? Rather than belting from atop a piano?
4. "Cornet Man" great - but no sense of hesitation or learning to perform. She really IS the greatest star - and so quickly,
5. "His Love Makes Me Beautiful" - funny, but hope she relaxes a bit. She's a fine performer, but she's made to hurry everything so we don't get moments to treasure her.
6. Lea's scene work is really good. She's nuanced, solid and catches all the emotions perfectly. Again, just wish she were a bit slower, but that may come.
7. "Henry Street" - amazing how all these Brooklyn-ites are such GREAT dancers.
8. "People" - wish she could "sweeten" her voice. When the show first opened, THIS was the big number. And Streisand knew how to shape it and wring out the emotions. Lea doesn't have a great vibrato and hers is a tougher take on the song.
9. She enters the boudoir in a VERY angry state. Think she needs to ratchet that down a notch or two.
10. "Rain....Parade". Love her "bigness", but wish there was maybe something scenic to vary the intensity.
11. LOVE how she actually makes that strange "Sadie, Sadie" number work.
12. "Who Taught Her Everything She Knows" - sorry but this needs to be a better constructed number. It's the chance for Rosie to really shine and she doesn't here.
13. And while we're at it - I find that Grimes' role is almost insulting and shoe-horned. Constantly made to play the stereotyped overlooked second-banana. Oy!
14. "Rat A Tat Tat" - a mess. And we don't get why Fanny is funny here. Can't understand a word she says.
15. "Temporary Arrangement" - as other's have said - why? Just to give Nick a number? So...write him something good or steal it from somewhere. Karimloo just looks uncomfortable here.
16. "Who Are You Now" - awkward interpolation of the two numbers. Doesn't work well, musically.
17. As said before, "The Music That Makes Me Dance", "Funny Girl" and the "Parade" reprise need to be rethought re: placement or existence. OK, we GET it, she'll do anything for the guy and she's put upon. Wrap it up already! And give her a boff-o Ending, for God's sake.
18. Get rid of the always stupid curtain call. Even the cast looks bored doing it.
19. Why does the lighting have to punch all the big moments? Like in HAMILTON. There's a way to do this that is much subtler.
Sorry to take up so much of your time....
Updated On: 9/8/22 at 06:26 PM
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