Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31- Page 10

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:16pm

Jordan Catalano said: "If it’s Tovah and they have a new opening night, I hope she wears underwear on the red carpet and doesn’t decide to show off her “bits”. #neverforget #traumatized"

[Idinamenzel18]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:17pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Idinamenzel18 said: "To my understanding, she never auditioned, she was offered the role and had a work session with the music. How is it possible that none of the creative team, at least those in charge of casting, didn’t realize this would be the result?"

She auditioned. You're spewing nonsense."

Oh, please. It’s no secret the director approached her directly and that she was the only one in the cast who didn’t have a formal audition. This production was literally built around her, from SEVERAL sources. You really think she went in and auditioned with other talented singers and landed the role? Lol.

[pmensky]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:19pm

Jordan Catalano said: "If it’s Tovah and they have a new opening night, I hope she wears underwear on the red carpet and doesn’t decide to show off her “bits”. #neverforget #traumatized"

Conversation between Lea and Tovah:

Lea:  “I’m a bad girl, Tovah. This one time, when we were all alone, I showed Jonathan Groff my *******!”

Tovah: “Hold my beer.”

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:20pm

JasonC3 said: "Penna2 said: "NEW TOPIC.

Ramin has two posts on his IG - one saying good-bye NYC driving to the airport? and his passport - the next he's on a plane.

Since I'm not a mind-reader (LOL), was he on tonight? I'm guessing not. Any word on him taking a few days off to go home to London?

"

I don't remember the specifics, but I think one of his IG stories recently was about some sort of commitment for The Last Match concept album today? I could have that wrong though.


Funny Girl is a Twitter trending topic (at least in my feed) and whoo boy are there some sassy Tweets."

Thanks. You're right - someone went into panic mode about the plane flight has tickets for this week. Completely forgot about the concept album. Guy never stops.

Will check out Twitter. :)

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:25pm

pmensky said: "NEVER FOREGET"

The simple word is spelled forget, honey.

This sloppy production of Funny Girl and the decision to cast Beanie Feldstein smacks of a group of people who all wanted to be nice, agreeable, and easygoing with as little creative friction as possible.  I don't blame Beanie for wanting to leave the production early...she was the victim of chronic niceness and people who didn't ruthlessly demand more

She sure as hell benefited. It was the first revival EVER of this beloved show. And she got it because she wanted it. That is why other people who work on Broadway and have never been given a show resented the whole thing, it's why Tony voters probably thought the show was a joke, and it's why the public interest has waned. 

 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:33pm

What’s annoying is everyone on Twitter saying it’s “fatphobia.” Like, sis, no. It’s called talent. 

[David10086]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:34pm

There's always that Glimmer of Hope that Linda Lavin will take over as Rose Brice and save the day...or possibly the role of Fanny Brice! 

[pmensky]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:45pm

Sutton Ross said: "pmensky said: "NEVER FOREGET"

The simple word is spelled forget, honey.

Oh, thanks, Sutton! We can always count on you for these kind of notifications. Unfortunately I’m unable to edit my post. Have a happy day! 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:45pm

Idinamenzel18 said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Idinamenzel18 said: "Oh, please. It’s no secret the director approached her directly and that she was the only one in the cast who didn’t have a formal audition. This production was literally built around her, from SEVERAL sources. You really think she went in and auditioned with other talented singers and landed the role? Lol."

This is 100% untrue. This production was being developed with several other leading ladies before Beanie was chosen. Idina was attached to it pre-pandemic and they had started having theater conversations then. It wasn't until Beanie was about to start Impeachment that she came into the picture. She herself has said she auditioned in late night interviews (the Seth Meyers interview that's re-running on Wednesday I'm pretty sure).

Celebrities would absolutely not cop to having to audition for a role, especially if they were offered it out right. They closed the deal solely based on assuming her star would ascend with Impeachment and, like her performance in FG, her performance in Impeachment wasn't quite as adored as many anticipated. Thus, the star wattage is no longer a means to keep her longer than they have to, taking the first opportunity to attempt a reset. Last week's gross was indicative of the problem they're facing and trying to solve with this new casting.

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:48pm

laporms said: "I saw the show last month. Was she amazing? No, but the producers knew this from day one. It's too bad she didn't follow Uma Thurman's Smash character's lead and just dip before opening.

But life goes on and most people in this board should be elated instead of clutching their pearls over this announcement. She wants out and y'all wanted her out. End of story."

They aren't clutching their pearls, but a number of people here are feasting on the pain. 

It's a terrible choice on Beanie's part--if it is her choice, and not, as some suggested, putting on the best look when producers say "Get out now; you've lost us enough money"--and it obviously makes the whole thing an utter, dramatic fiasco. From the adored Minnie Fay, to a controversial preview period as Fanny, to critical derision and the viciousness expressed here once the show opened, and now it all ends with about as much of a public humiliation as possible (please don't let it get worse!). It's awful, just awful. 

I agree with TheaterFan4, a lot of this falls on the producers. But producers are largely invisible. Beanie is very visible and this swift exit will do her no good, though she could come back (if in fact Lea Michele replaces her, that's a perfect lesson on how anyone can come back from just about anything). If she does, hopefully it will be in a role that better suits her. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:49pm

This is from Michael Musto's Facebook page.   

So it's leaked out that Lea Michele and Tovah Feldshuh will go into Funny Girl as Fanny and her mother in September. Interestingly, Mrs. Brice has traditionally been played by an Irish lesbian (Kay Medford and Jane Lynch, and there was talk of Rosie O'Donnell). Tovah happens to be a Jewish straight person, just like Mrs. Brice. But it's all acting anyway--who cares? And let me remind you that the Jewish Tovah was one of the few to accurately play Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!...as IRISH. Dolly is indeed Irish--the "Levi" is through marriage (though Barbra didn't seem that Irish in the movie, lol). Kudos to all, whatever they are!

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:53pm

The moral of this story: know your limits.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:55pm

T-minus 5 minutes 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:56pm

Where are we expecting this announcement to be made? Facebook? Insta?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:56pm

Michael Musto for the win. "Mrs. Brice is traditionally played by Irish lesbians..." 

Gotta keep laughing, folks; 2022 needs it. 

[soxboy22]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:56pm

How is Beanie expected to get through to July 31?  How many performances will she miss?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:57pm

I think she will dip early and "be sick" or "injured". Luckily, the two women who perform as Fanny as excellent. 

[Idinamenzel18]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:58pm

This is 100% untrue. This production was being developed with several other leading ladies before Beanie was chosen. Idina was attached to it pre-pandemic and they had started having theater conversations then. It wasn't until Beanie was about to start Impeachment that she came into the picture. She herself has said she auditioned in late night interviews (the Seth Meyers interview that's re-running on Wednesday I'm pretty sure).


Idina was never “attached.” She was approached about the role and rightfully declined. That ship had sailed. Hence the only write-up about Idina being involved was from a theatre gossip blog. I’m not sure what you mean about “several ladies,” since with THIS particular production (not the one slated to star Lauren Ambrose), Beanie was approached by the director. If you’re referring to Gaga, that was never happening. This wasn’t even on her radar.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:59pm

Sally Durant Plummer said: "Where are we expecting this announcement to be made? Facebook? Insta?"

Wait.  Facebook is still around?  Do people still use that old platform?  

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:00pm

Just out of curiosity, since Beanie is "above the title" - can people get refunds if they had tickets between July 31-Sep 25? Not that they would necessarily want to but just wondering

[bwwLA86]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:00pm

I keep thinking about all the merch, the logo, everything. Just a wild ride.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:01pm

it's official! Lea Michele and Tovah! https://twitter.com/funnygirlbwy/status/1546539835527151622?s=21&t=ms8p3Cr9klWZerqhnBZlig

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:01pm

YES!

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:01pm

Is there still enough of a Spring Awakening fan left in me to get me to the August Wilson? Probably. Congratulations to both.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:02pm

With Julie Benko as full-time Fanny through September 4th, and performing Thursdays with Lea.