Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31- Page 24

[Sally Durant Plummer]

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

Which leads me to believe this is is a planted “source” to put the production side of the story out there.

This is clear from the "we should have been better to Beanie" comments. If Beanie actually did everything that article accuses her of, no Production team genuinely cares how she was treated, just that she pulled a bunch of crap that should have resulted in an immediate firing. Those comments were clearly made to save face.

Production was unprofessional for not being honest with Beanie and firing her during previews or after the reviews (likely because the advance wasn't being affected). Beanie was unprofessional by not assisting the production with a seamless transfer of the role and getting petty over her understudy's social media posts (particularly when Beanie was out for ~1/4 of her scheduled shows). I do feel bad for Beanie, but you are not a big enough star to pull these diva antics.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

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

Sally Durant Plummer said: "Which leads me to believe this is is a planted “source” to put the production side of the story out there.

This is clear from the "we should have been better to Beanie" comments. If Beanie actually did everything that article accuses her of, no Production team genuinely cares how she was treated, just that she pulled a bunch of crap that should have resulted in an immediate firing. Those comments were clearly made to save face.

Production was unprofessional for not being honest with Beanie and firing her during previews or after the reviews (likely because the advance wasn't being affected). Beanie was unprofessional by not assisting the production with a seamless transfer of the role and getting petty over her understudy's social media posts (particularly when Beanie was out for ~1/4 of her scheduled shows). I do feel bad for Beanie, but you are not a big enough star to pull these diva antics."

Bingo. Yours is the best summary of this entire situation that I've read. 

[VotePeron]

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

Very notable that Julie was being perceived as agitating the situation by posting she was on, although never told to stop. Interesting to keep in mind when solely blaming the producers for Beanie’s hurt feelings. 

[shocktheatre]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:23pm

GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD.

Just close the thing down.

It's not a good musical anyway.

[inception]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:28pm

Read the Daily Beast article...how are any of these people in business?  They all sound like morons.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:30pm

Beanie started the issues with Julie Benko when she took the weekend after opening off to attend a wedding. She shot herself in the foot with that one, and I have no sympathy for her as far as that situation is concerned.

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:30pm

“The Julie one especially made me laugh out loud - how dare an understudy post that she'll be going on - the nerve, the absolute cheek! It wasn't that she posted about going on, it's that their egos (and Beanie's, I'm sure), couldn't take everyone RAVING about Julie - especially in comparison to Beanie.”

Thinking about when Kat McPhee pulled Stephanie Torns onto stage with her to share her final Jenna Waitress bow with her, and how classy that was … don’t think we’re gonna get that with Beanie and Julie on after Beanie’s final show, lol! 

I really do have a lot of sympathy for Beanie because I think the backlash against her as Fanny has been so OTT. Not so much the negative reviews, but all the social media chatter before and after, and the way that people seemed almost gleeful about it all. That must be hard to take for an actress who went into this role thinking it was going to be a huge career making star turn, however lovely you are. I mean, I don’t agree with how she’s handled things but It’s a shame it’s turned out the way it has, with bitterness all round. 

 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:30pm

Clearly Beanie was hyper-sensitive to criticism after her reviews. Particularly with the amount of hype Julie was getting. At least no one posted their reviews side-by-side on the backstage bulletin board.

This whole thing comes down to Broadway producing nowadays. In this production had been done in the 60s or 70s, there's no doubt that Beanie would have been replaced during previews. But producers just tried to will away the very obvious deficiencies and let her implode for the world to see. And ultimately, it's the show that suffers, because the focus during previews was on Beanie instead of tightening up the second act, it got terrible reviews inextricably linked to the leading lady, and the replacement is not eligible for awards. So this production flew too close to the sun and the best vehicle for it's redemption - an awards show with a performance slot, has been shuttered. All because of bad producers.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:31pm

VotePeron said: "Very notable that Julie was being perceived as agitating the situation by posting she was on, although never told to stop. Interesting to keep in mind when solely blaming the producers for Beanie’s hurt feelings."

In the era of understudies keeping basically every Broadway show afloat, there is no blame to be put on Julie for her being understandably excited when she gets to go on for a starring role.

[Sutton Ross]

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

“We have been in touch about it,” Lynch tells Deadline of Michele. “You know, it was just a really strong idea to have Feldshuh and Lea premiere together. That’s the only reason [we won’t appear together.] I adore her. She’s just going to take this show and make it her own. I’m so glad she’s getting the opportunity in real life to do the show and not just on Glee."

Correct. As I've said for days, Jane isn't apart of the drama. Oh, and Julie is a star. 

XOXO

[DAME]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:36pm

VotePeron said: "Very notable that Julie was being perceived as agitating the situation by posting she was on, although never told to stop. Interesting to keep in mind when solely blaming the producers for Beanie’s hurt feelings."

I thought Benko's posts were in poor form.  I asked about that here but the consensus was that in this age of social media this is the way it goes.  I wonder if with Lea coming in they will go to an imposed social media  blackout... like they did with Bette in Dolly.   I think they should.  

[Dolly80]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:37pm

How depressing that someone who has been so vile to multiple colleagues is rewarded with playing this lead role. Shame on the producers for such a desperate bit of casting.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:39pm

DAME, I think Rudin's tactics might be out of vogue since his cancellation. The actors sure didn't seem to like it, even if it had it's intended effect.

[DAME]

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

Sally Durant Plummer said: "DAME, I think Rudin's tactics might be out of vogue since his cancellation. The actors sure didn't seem to like it, even if it had it's intended effect."

I am sure you are right.  But I thought it was more of Bette's thing than something imposed by Rudin.  Once Bette left all the posts started happening. 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

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

I am sure you are right.  But I thought it was more of Bette's thing than something imposed by Rudin.  Once Bette left all the posts started happening.

Maybe Rudin only had a social media embargo for previews. Regardless, Michele definitely doesn't have the ability to request a blackout of the cast's social media. Unless production does it on her behalf and she is kept out of it. She has to prove that she's learned from her past diva behavior.

[Mr. Wormwood]

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

DAME said: "Sally Durant Plummer said: "DAME, I think Rudin's tactics might be out of vogue since his cancellation. The actors sure didn't seem to like it, even if it had it's intended effect."

I am sure you are right. But I thought it was more of Bette's thing than something imposed by Rudin. Once Bette left all the posts started happening."

I thought it was Rudin but he eased up when Bette left to drum up publicity and business (which he didn't need to worry about during Bette's run as everything was basically sold out)

[whatever2]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 7:52pm

> how soon before an anonymous cast member mentions the uncomfortable issues backstage?

and how LONG after that before anyone buying a ticket to this thing will care??

not saying the gossipy backstage SM won't happen; just saying it'll be like a fart in outer-space ... doesn't matter.

[soxboy22]

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

ACL2006 said: "There's a significant backlash from several Broadway people about Michele's past. I'm sure she'll sell tickets, but in this age of social media, how soon before an anonymous cast member mentions the uncomfortable issues backstage?"

Probably not long, but will it make a difference?  Not to Broadway audiences if Lea is giving a knockout performance.  Maybe if it were a television show or a movie.

Did Barbra’s “unpleasantness” surface during her run in FG or after in book after book?

[Papi2013]

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

The fat shaming accusations on social media are ridiculous.  I didn't see any of that.   

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 8:05pm

So Beanie is performing tonight? I haven't seen anything to suggest otherwise.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 8:16pm

OhHiii said: "Those post-opening ad meetings are kept small, they’re gonna know exactly who would have been in that room. Which leads me to believe this is is a planted “source” to put the production side of the story out there. Welp we got the article we were waiting for in the end lol"

I had the thought of a plant, too. It certainly makes Sonia look "nice" and they're trying to save face.

That said, the person speaking sounds like they are a chatty co-producer who only gets half the information. And often the post-opening ad meeting is a free-for-all of co-producers. 20 copros + advertising/press reps + GM staff + various assistants.

This sentence puzzles me: "The Daily Beast understands that a minority of the producers wanted to eject Feldstein from the role quickly; a majority, led by Friedman, wanted to stand by her, which is what happened." There are three lead producers (all 3 of whom were involved with the London production). The other jokers above the title would not have any say in hiring or firing anyone. It's also puzzling that the piece refers to Mark Shacket –– who is employed by the show as general manager and reports to the producer –– as the lead producer.

Re: the issue of firing Beanie because she wasn't good, we have to remember the old adage that "sometimes bad shows still sell tickets!" And by the time you get into previews, you're kind of in too deep to replace the star, and creative teams can get a bit of tunnel-vision. Especially when they had the entire ad campaign structured around her face. The show has sold well up to this point, and I don't know that re-reviews are guaranteed to help.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 8:28pm

Well that rogue producer certainly sang like a canary for the Daily Beast. Guess we can stop speculating, although what they revealed was pretty much exactly what I had suspected.

As another poster asked, is Beanie on tonight???

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 8:28pm

Perhaps the most perplexing thing about all of this to me is that anyone thinks Michele will somehow be BETTER than Feldstein. Michele has a decent voice, but has probably sang one of the worst "Don't Rain on My Parade"s I've ever heard and he acting is excruciating. I don't think this is the glow up the producers think it's going to be! And I don't think Michele would fair well in reviews if they are crazy enough to invite critics. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 8:32pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Well that rogue producer certainly sang like a canary for the Daily Beast. Guess we can stop speculating, although what they revealed was pretty much exactly what I had suspected.

As another poster asked, is Beanie on tonight???"

Well, it's 8:30 in NYC. I think we would have heard if she wasn't there.

[babyjunegem]

Posted: 7/12/22 at 8:38pm

It's interesting that people only care about morals when that person's behavior is made public. There's another Broadway lady who has dominated awards season and has gotten away with nightmarish backstage behavior. If you know, you know. Everyone continues to kiss her ass, but if you were watching closely, her former co-workers have been mostly silent about her recent success. I wonder if she too has changed or if she's been emboldened to be an even bigger bully. Lea Michele currently has no career because of her bad reputation. It'll be interesting if she makes an effort here.