Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31- Page 28

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 12:13pm

HogansHero said: "There has been very little mention of Michael Mayer through all of this. I agree with your post but I am curious if there is something pointing at him in this mess, other than the fact that he agreed to direct the show with the carved-in-stone Beanie casting, and then did not do a very good job of it. I'm asking, not suggesting."

Yes, Mayer seems to be a major problem with this production. Beanie probably would have fared better with a different director (and different musical arrangements –– the songs sit in her vocal break) who aimed for more "60s musical comedy" and less "Follies." While he probably had Broadway in his London contract, Sonia & co. could have found a [costly] way to part ways with him if they really felt the London production had insurmountable problems. George C. Wolfe, Susan Stroman, Christopher Wheeldon, Kathleen Marshall, Casey Nicholaw, Rob Marshall, even this board's punching bags Rob Ashford or Scott Ellis. Mayer is so hit-and-miss.

Ultimately, it comes down to a rare case of bad producing from one of Broadway's very best.

Wonder what the estates think of all this, since they would have had to sign off on the Fanny casting (original and replacements) and new book.

Updated On: 7/13/22 at 12:13 PM

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 12:20pm

The estate was probably thrilled for the property to have a major revival - plus the possibility they could license this new version of the show.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 12:31pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "I gotta be real. I can’t stand Lea Michele. I never liked her, I met her once and she was unpleasant and rude, and I don’t think her voice is good enough to make up for her terrible acting.

But the complaints about her are mostly things that happened, what, 7 or 8 years ago? More? A decade?"

Yvette Nicole Brown's reaction to the casting confirm that she's not a fan of Lea, and they worked together 5 years ago. What's less clear is whether she experienced anything with her firsthand, or if she's just being supportive of Samantha Ware and others.

However, I agree with everyone who thinks that change and growth are very possible, considering she's become a wife and mother since then. I'm not a mother, and I never will be, but I have to believe it can make even the most egotistical person less self-centered. Until I hear differently, I choose to believe that Lea Michele is humbled by everything that's happened to her: the Samantha Ware controversy, her marriage and motherhood, and her return to Broadway. At the very least, I'm sure she knows how big this opportunity could be for rehabilitating her reputation and career, so I think she'll be on her best behavior.

It still probably won't be enough to satisfy her haters, but it could make a difference with how she's perceived in the industry going forward.

 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 12:42pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "I gotta be real. I can’t stand Lea Michele. I never liked her, I met her once and she was unpleasant and rude, and I don’t think her voice is good enough to make up for her terrible acting.

But the complaints about her are mostly things that happened, what, 7 or 8 years ago? More? A decade?



I have to believe that people can change. And just because we don’t see evidence of it publicly doesn’t mean it can’t be true.


and sometimes folks don’t reach out privately to apologize because they don’t know if it will just reopen wounds of a person who has moved on.



I doubt Michele become like…Sutton Foster level of delightful. But people can and do change. For things to get better, we need to allow for people to change. The outrage over her casting to me in this regard just shows me that those folks don’t actually want change—they just want to condemn.



I think there’s plenty to be upset with here: the treatment of Feldstein and replacing her with someone who they probably wanted all along but shied away from because of OPTICS is gross. And I don’t think Michele will be good, so I think they are making a mistake in that regard. But I have to at least believe she’s learned something in the past few years and grown from it. What are we even doing if we don’t hold space for that? This is not like…a Woody Allen situation."

Wow! This is one of the most honest, unbiased posts I have ever read on this forum. It's like a breath of fresh air! 

[BobNC]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 1:13pm

I agree that Michele is a step in the wrong casting direction.  I doubt the show will last after the Glee crowd has seen it.  Sure, she can sing better than Beanie, but, she's not a great singer.  Imitating Streisand won't cut it.  This anemic production needed a real talent like Jesse Mueller to make it click with critics and long- standing theater goers.

[Wick3]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 2:09pm

Do you think Lea Michele’s face will be on the Playbill with a huge bow on her head?

[Evan Hansen2]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 2:14pm

https://twitter.com/FeldmanAdam/status/1546640430204321792?s=20&t=hZGgSp4tiBMGattuAkQgQA

This twitter thread from Adam Feldman provides insight into the current backstage situation... yikes.

[David10086]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 2:33pm

CarlosAlberto said: "David10086 said: "CarlosAlberto said: "OMG - you guys are not comparing this to the disaster that was Holly Golightly/Breakfast at Tiffany’s - totally different era and completely different circumstances….WTF?!?!?!"

I wasn't comparing the two at all. Read my post again.

I was pointing out the fact that despite many posters here saying "in the 60s and 70s this kind of drama didn't take place, and no one got fired before a show opened", it happened - with Mary Tyler Moore in 'BAT'. Had nothing to do with comparing MTM to Beanie, or 'BAT' to 'FG' at all - just pointing out that firings did happen in the 60s. Yet comprehension escapes some members of this forum."

Technically MTM wasn’t fired - Merrill just chose to close the show. Facts escape some members of this forum."

She was on the verge of being fired in Boston and replaced by Diahann Carroll, who would then open on Broadway. If Carroll accepted Merrick's offer to her when she went to Boston to see the show, MTM would've been packing her bags in Boston to go home. As it happened, the show was shut down before MTM embarrassed herself, so yes - she was fired. She was not employed in the Broadway musical as planned. 

 

Again - comprehension skills are your friend.  

Updated On: 7/13/22 at 02:33 PM

[David10086]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 2:40pm

It's not a question of 'if' but a question of 'when'....

 

I CAN NOT WAIT until Andy Cohen has Patti Lupone on his show in the near future and he asks her what she thinks of this whole 'Funny Girl' situation. She's going to have an awful lot to say ! 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 2:41pm

A potential firing is not an actual firing. Anyone who understands nuance and details knows that. Which is why numerous people pointed out that your comparison was not apt. Particularly considering the myriad of examples of actors actually being replaced out-of-town or in previews.

[Owen22]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 2:41pm

BobNC said: "I agree that Michele is a step in the wrong casting direction. I doubt the show will last after the Glee crowd has seen it. Sure, she can sing better than Beanie, but, she's not a great singer. Imitating Streisand won't cut it. This anemic production needed a real talent like Jesse Mueller to make it click with critics and long- standing theater goers."

....she's not a great singer...?  Wha...wha...what...?

[Owen22]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 2:46pm

Evan Hansen2 said: "https://twitter.com/FeldmanAdam/status/1546640430204321792?s=20&t=hZGgSp4tiBMGattuAkQgQA

This twitter thread from Adam Feldman provides insight into the current backstage situation... yikes."

Well, in the world of greasepaint that's the way it goes.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:12pm

Nevermind, I’m wrong

Updated On: 7/13/22 at 03:12 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:22pm

I do hope she’s changed. If she hasn’t, with people willing to spill the tea backstage I have no doubt we’ll hear about it.   
 

That said - this is an interesting experiment on what and who people are willing to “give a second chance to” and moving forward who they won’t.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:23pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I’m curious, how come Daniel Radcliffe was able to get away with his below average singing and dancing and still come out with praise from everyone in the industry, but beanie could barely catch a break… ohhhh I know why."

Why?

I’ve rarely seen someone work their buns off the way Daniel Radcliffe does whenever he’s on a stage. A very dedicated performer.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:32pm

Updating my list of those who have been trashed in this thread.

Mary Tyler Moore (check)

Daniel Radcliff (check)

Carry on.

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:35pm

New York's hottest club is "Backstage at Funny Girl."

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:36pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I’m curious, how come Daniel Radcliffe was able to get away with his below average singing and dancing and still come out with praise from everyone in the industry, but beanie could barely catch a break… ohhhh I know why."

I know you are trying to insinuate something, but....... I think most people agree DR acted that part well and sang it adequately (a role that doesn't require a great singer). It also wasn't the first time the show had been revived, it's a much better-written –– and better-directed –– show than FG, and Morse is not nearly as vital to that show as Barbra was. And, above all, DR sold tickets to the masses. It was an example of someone performing WAY outside their comfort zone and finding some success (though not with awards voters, just like Beanie).

We could be saying the same thing about Denzel in Julius Caesar. Craig Bierko in Music Man. ScarJo in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Richard Dreyfuss in The Producers. Richard Burton in Equus. Katie Holmes in All My Sons. Piven in Speed the Plow. John Slattery in The Front Page.  Pacino and Bruce Willis in both their recent plays. Elaine Stritch in Night Music. Vanessa Redgrave in My Fair Lady in London right now. Cheryl Ladd and Susan Lucci in Annie Get Your Gun. Any number of people in Chicago.

The closest recent comparison to this show might be Christina Applegate in Sweet Charity or Elena Roger in Evita?

Miscasting, or actors being in over their heads, has been around as long as the theatre has existed, and some shows have been able to survive miscasting better than others.

Updated On: 7/13/22 at 03:36 PM

[Huss417]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:36pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I’m curious, how come Daniel Radcliffe was able to get away with his below average singing and dancing and still come out with praise from everyone in the industry, but beanie could barely catch a break… ohhhh I know why."

So if "you know why"? Why not say it?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:41pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I’m curious, how come Daniel Radcliffe was able to get away with his below average singing and dancing and still come out with praise from everyone in the industry, but beanie could barely catch a break… ohhhh I know why."

You’re kidding, right?  The role of J. Pierpont Finch isn’t a heavy singing role.  The role was created for Robert Morse, who isn’t a dancer nor a singer.  That’s why the casting of the role could be diverse as it didn’t require a powerful dancer or a powerful singer.  The 1995 Broadway revival was cast this way as was the 2011 Broadway revival, which added choreography not used before - the “Brotherhood of Man” was the only time Radcliffe danced.  Had the role been written in 1961 for a singer/dancer at the level of Ben Vereen and Radcliffe trying to reach that level, THEN you have an argument.  FUNNY GIRL was written for a strong 60s female powerhouse vocalist which Beanie is nowhere near.  She does have a great singing voice, she’s just not a powerhouse vocalist.  

Updated On: 7/13/22 at 03:41 PM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:44pm

 "I’m curious, how come Daniel Radcliffe was able to get away with his below average singing and dancing and still come out with praise from everyone in the industry, but beanie could barely catch a break… ohhhh I know why."
 

Delusional take. If you’re going to stir the pot, at least be good at it. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 3:54pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I’m curious, how come Daniel Radcliffe was able to get away with his below average singing and dancing and still come out with praise from everyone in the industry, but beanie could barely catch a break… ohhhh I know why."

Classic case of looking for something that isn’t there. 

[Popular]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 4:04pm

What a messy, unfortunate situation. I get the impression that the train wreck of events happened in slow motion and everyone saw the crash coming  but didn’t/couldn’t l/wouldn’t speak up until it was too late and the blame was already directed at the wrong people. Hard to make specific judgments without knowing first hand information but it does seem so much if this could’ve been avoided.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 4:15pm

Honestly can't even feel bad for her. Especially if she's putting the blame on her stand-by. Like, girl bye. You clearly don't honor the very industry you're trying to be a part of.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/13/22 at 4:22pm

Sally Durant Plummer said: "A potential firing is not an actual firing. Anyone who understands nuance and details knows that. Which is why numerous people pointed out that your comparison was not apt. Particularly considering the myriad of examples of actors actually being replaced out-of-town or in previews."

Thank you Sally, some people are just "too full of" to get it.