Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31- Page 10
Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#225
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"
Swing Joined: 11/10/14
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#226
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.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/11
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#227
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.”
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#228
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. :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#229
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.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#230
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.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#231
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!
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/11
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#232
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!
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#233
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.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#234
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.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#235
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!
Broadway Star Joined: 2/20/20
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#236
Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:53pm
The moral of this story: know your limits.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#237
Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:55pm
T-minus 5 minutes
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#238
Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:56pm
Where are we expecting this announcement to be made? Facebook? Insta?
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#239
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.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#240
Posted: 7/11/22 at 12:56pm
How is Beanie expected to get through to July 31? How many performances will she miss?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#241
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.
Swing Joined: 11/10/14
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#242
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#243
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?
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#244
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
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#245
Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:00pm
I keep thinking about all the merch, the logo, everything. Just a wild ride.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#246
Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:01pm
it's official! Lea Michele and Tovah! https://twitter.com/funnygirlbwy/status/1546539835527151622?s=21&t=ms8p3Cr9klWZerqhnBZlig
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#247
Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:01pm
YES!
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#248
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.
Beanie Feldstein Departing FUNNY GIRL on July 31 (Two Months Earlier Than Originally Announced)#249
Posted: 7/11/22 at 1:02pm
With Julie Benko as full-time Fanny through September 4th, and performing Thursdays with Lea.
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