Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31 — Page 2

By “different direction,” she means they cast a replacement to start ASAP and not in September when she was scheduled to leave. Big yikes.

ACL2006 said: "She was upset she didn't get good reviews or a Tony nomination and negotiated to leave in September. Now she knows her standby and u/s are getting better reviews then her and essentially gives her two week notice. Talk about being entitled."

She told you all that, did she?



(and before anyone comes for me, I haven’t seen the show, nor do I particularly care to. Some of the nasty comments on here are just blowing my mind).

People are often told we’re “going in a different direction” upon being fired, though I thought that was not a possibility in her case.

Lea has a mini tour for august, so we’ll see!

KateLondon8 said: "I haven’t seen the show since opening, what different direction?"

Talent, baby.

Honestly, I wouldn't blame her for wanting out. She was cast in the show initially on her name and the producers knew she lacked in the vocals department significantly and could never mold her into the actress they wanted her to be and seemingly never really told her or negotiated an exit for her before the show began and allowed her to embarrass herself on a world stage. I wouldn't want to stick around either. I would wish Julie the absolute best filling in in the interim and then proceed to avoid these producers for the rest of my life. They propped her up to knowingly fall back down.

Bill Snibson said: "Wow! Anyone wanna weigh-in on what exactly “the production has decided to take the show in a different direction” means? Odd to me. I can’t imagine the producers or creatives suddenly wanted her to change her performance for some new vision."

Julie's interpretation (and Ephie's, as I understand) is more about Fanny than Beanie and her type of comedy. They are also looking for a true singer, not someone who can kind of sing.

I feel bad for Beanie. I didn't like her as Fanny for the reasons other folks have pointed out (mostly, the singing), but it does seem like she's getting unceremoniously shoved aside to fulfill the Prophecy of Glee.

I bought tickets to see Julie Benko in late August (to see if her performance changes my mind about this show), and I hope they let her keep those dates.

I shouldn’t be surprised but somehow I’m still surprised. This has been a wild ride.

ElephantLoveMedley said: "Mr. Wormwood said: "Wow. Her phrasing is very interesting too about the show going in a "different direction." Obviously some bad blood."

A shockingly unprofessional and unclassy look to blame it on the production. Even though I didn't love Beanie's performance, I have been one of her staunchest defenders on here. I've felt like the criticisms of her have gone significantly overboard since previews began in March. However, choosing this tune of the "blame game" on your way out of the show is defenseless to me. I'm disappointed in her."

?

What about that message seemed to blame the production? It's phrased like a mutual parting; nothing unprofessional about it. I stopped following this show during previews because of the nastiness, so forgive me if I'm missing something tea-wise, but I don't get the "shockingly unprofessional and unclassy" claim.

I’m curious as to whether they will decide on Julie covering the role until September when Lea Michele, or whoever the intended replacement will be, can officially begin on the originally planned date.

Auggie27 said: "She seems irritated that the production dared to search publicly for her replacement. As if she’d coast along and the show would announce the new Fanny the week of her departure. Or something. The economics of Broadway - tickets must be sold to a consumer based audience - seem to elude her. If a new narrative might’ve coalesced - that she was chased out of her dream role - it’s erased by this solipsistic view of the industry. In 2022, this isn’t the victim card to play."

All goes back to how she was raised and how this all came about to begin with. Broadway isn't Hollywood - thank goodness, there is still some consideration of what works and what doesn't. You have to have the stuff to get out there 8 times a week, in person, no "cut, let's do that again," real people watching you and giving thumbs up or thumbs down.

In other words, real life.

jacobsnchz14 said: "I’m curious as to whether they will decide on Julie covering the role until September when Lea Michele, or whoever the intended replacement will be, can officially begin on the originally planned date."

Julie should definitely get the role full-time for 2 months or so. I can't imagine the show shutting down until Lea or another name enters the show.