Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31- Page 37

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 9:16pm

Papi2013 said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Julie Benko has been nothing but a class act through this whole mess. As kind and gracious as she is talented."

It is her job. You people are just too much. You don't know Julie Benko. You don't know if she is a class act, kind, or gracious. Same could be said for Beanie. You are just going by mob mentality. And Benko is just fine in the role. Better than Beanie. But that is about it."

Agree about this being her job. Also agree both young women are likely kind and gracious. As for just fine, better than Beanie and that's it. I can't really comment because I haven't seen her. I heard some of the songs from the first night and loved her voice - she's performed numerous times since then and I can only suppose she's gotten better. 

She's not Lea, but I don't think they wanted someone whose interpretation was so close to Streisand. I see Julie more as Fanny Brice might actually have been from what I have heard...and her voice. Be that as it may.

Just curious - have you seen her or are you just speculating on the "that's about it" part of your post.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 9:23pm

I'm sure Benko is a nice person and all, but she does one of my all-time biggest social media pet peeves, which is retweeting gushy tweets about her performance from fans. I always find that sooo tacky and narcissistic.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 9:29pm

poisonivy2 said: "I'm sure Benko is a nice person and all, but she does one of my all-time biggest social media pet peeves, which is retweeting gushy tweets about her performance from fans. I always find that sooo tacky and narcissistic."

She is an actor with a career to build. It is her job and responsibility to publicize herself. What do you want from her exactly? To ignore the publicity this can bring to her so she’s less likely to level up in her career?

 

some of y’all, I swear….

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 9:36pm

Penna2 said: "Papi2013 said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Julie Benko has been nothing but a class act through this whole mess. As kind and gracious as she is talented."

It is her job. You people are just too much. You don't know Julie Benko. You don't know if she is a class act, kind, or gracious. Same could be said for Beanie. You are just going by mob mentality. And Benko is just fine in the role. Better than Beanie. But that is about it."

Agree about this being her job. Also agree both young women are likely kind and gracious. As for just fine, better than Beanie and that's it. I can't really comment because I haven't seen her. I heard some of the songs from the first night and loved her voice - she's performed numerous times since then and I can only suppose she's gotten better.

She's not Lea, but I don't think they wanted someone whose interpretation was so close to Streisand. I see Julie more as Fanny Brice might actually have been from what I have heard...and her voice. Be that as it may.

Just curious - have you seen her or are you just speculating on the "that's about it" part of your post."

 

Updated On: 7/15/22 at 09:36 PM

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 9:40pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "poisonivy2 said: "I'm sure Benko is a nice person and all, but she does one of my all-time biggest social media pet peeves, which is retweeting gushy tweets about her performance from fans. I always find that sooo tacky and narcissistic."

She is an actor with a career to build. It is her job and responsibility to publicize herself. What do you want from her exactly? To ignore the publicity this can bring to her so she’s less likely to level up in her career?



some of y’all, I swear…."

Most actors are narcissistic.  I understand that.  But just the whole thing with this show in every regard has a ickiness factor going on.  

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 9:51pm

ManOfLaMuncha said: "https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/applause-3519#Awards



Lauren Bacall sang like a fog horn in Applause, but I loved every minute of it!

And she won the Tony that year for best actress in a musical."

I'm adding to my own message haha...she also won for "Woman of the Year" which I saw, and she was so good in that too!  She "acted" the songs like people were discussing, so even though not a good voice, she was wonderful!

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:01pm

Tyne Daly in Gypsy 

Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady

Lauren Bacall in Applause and Woman

Allison Janey 9 to 5

 

 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:05pm

Azúcar! said: "BroadwayGirl107 said: "poisonivy2 said: "I'm sure Benko is a nice person and all, but she does one of my all-time biggest social media pet peeves, which is retweeting gushy tweets about her performance from fans. I always find that sooo tacky and narcissistic."

She is an actor with a career to build. It is her job and responsibility to publicize herself. What do you want from her exactly? To ignore the publicity this can bring to her so she’s less likely to level up in her career?



some of y’all, I swear…."

Most actors arenarcissistic. I understand that. But just the whole thing with this show in every regard has a ickiness factor going on. "
 

It’s not narcissistic to promote good things that have been said about you’re work as an actor when you’re virtually a nobody. It’s just smart business. Actors need work you know…

 

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:16pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "Azúcar! said: "BroadwayGirl107 said: "poisonivy2 said: "I'm sure Benko is a nice person and all, but she does one of my all-time biggest social media pet peeves, which is retweeting gushy tweets about her performance from fans. I always find that sooo tacky and narcissistic."

She is an actor with a career to build. It is her job and responsibility to publicize herself. What do you want from her exactly? To ignore the publicity this can bring to her so she’s less likely to level up in her career?



some of y’all, I swear…."

Most actors are narcissistic . I understand that. But just the whole thing with this show in every regard has a ickiness factor going on. "


It’s not narcissistic to promote good things that have been said about you’re work as an actor when you’re virtually a nobody. It’s just smart business. Actors need work you know…

"

I do not disagree with you.  

Updated On: 7/15/22 at 10:16 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:18pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "Azúcar! said: "BroadwayGirl107 said: "poisonivy2 said: "I'm sure Benko is a nice person and all, but she does one of my all-time biggest social media pet peeves, which is retweeting gushy tweets about her performance from fans. I always find that sooo tacky and narcissistic."

She is an actor with a career to build. It is her job and responsibility to publicize herself. What do you want from her exactly? To ignore the publicity this can bring to her so she’s less likely to level up in her career?



some of y’all, I swear…."

Most actors arenarcissistic. I understand that. But just the whole thing with this show in every regard has a ickiness factor going on. "


It’s not narcissistic to promote good things that have been said about you’re work as an actor when you’re virtually a nobody. It’s just smart business. Actors need work you know…

"

But retweeting gushy tweets about your performance IMO is taking self promotion too far. 

Also, in light of all the drama backstage and in the media, after awhile I admit that all the artwork, retweets, and photos she was tweeting seemed very Eve Harrington-like.

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:22pm

Sally Durant Plummer said: "
"Losing My Mind" was originally to be Phyllis' song. Then it was redone as a duet between Phyllis and Sally. Alexis, who knew her strengths better than anyone, asked for Dorthy Collins, the trained recording artist, to have the ballad. In its place, Alexis asked for a dancing number that would allow her to sing a bit and strut a lot. The song was tailored to her, both she and Dorthy got a moment to shine, and critics and audiences were so taken with "The Story of Lucy and Jesse" (not the most challenging vocal number) that Alexis got the Tony."

 

Not to be nit-picky (cue I'm being nit-picky) but as I understand it, "Losing My Mind" was written as a duet for Phyllis and Sally, and it was Alexis Smith who told Sondheim it really should be a solo for Dorothy Collins. Thus demonstrating Alexis Smith was a class act. Sondheim told this story in Finishing the Hat (and I've read about it originally being a duet elsewhere--only heard the suggestion it be Sally's solo from Sondheim).

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:23pm

poisonivy2 said: "I'm sure Benko is a nice person and all, but she does one of my all-time biggest social media pet peeves, which is retweeting gushy tweets about her performance from fans. I always find that sooo tacky and narcissistic."   

     There are many people who love her posts, even if you do not.  Stop being a Debbie Downer.  There is absolutely nothing tacky about promoting herself.  If you've got it, flaunt it.  As it is said in my corner of the world, "bless your heart."

 

Updated On: 7/15/22 at 10:23 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:41pm

Oh Lord, Lauren Bacall has crashed the conversation. Because people everywhere are saying “If Bacall, why not Beanie?” 

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:59pm

This is one of the first shows I saw as a teenager.  Dorothy Collins did "Losing my Mind" so beautifully, and Alexis Smith sealed her Tony win with "Could I Leave You?"  I remember being shocked that she swore on stage lol.  That show was kind of magical.

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 11:02pm

Auggie27 said: "Oh Lord, Lauren Bacall has crashed the conversation. Because people everywhere are saying “If Bacall, why not Beanie?”"

arghh I didn't mean to do that, I was remembering how strong her acting was in the singing...and I remember her saying that she was afraid to do a musical because she couldn't sing...I just posted about her because when you have a limited singing voice, you do have to be a helluva actor.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 11:25pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "My feeling on both Beanie and Benko is that both are giving very interesting Regional Theatre-level performances –– Benko a little more traditionally Barbra, Beanie taking a bigger swing. If I saw either of those performances at a venue like Barrington or Goodspeed or The Muny, I'd come out impressed and with bragging rights."

YES. I absolutely agree with this. (As far as Beanie is concerned - I haven't seen Benko.)

 

[Kad]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 11:49pm

All the names being thrown around here were singular talents, major stars- and they were putting their mark on new roles, in several cases roles written for them specifically. 
 

Feldstein isn’t that sort of singular talent who can command the stage, and she stepped into a role synonymous with Streisand, one of the most beloved vocalists of the last six decades. It’s not at all comparable. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 12:18am

ManOfLaMuncha said: "This is one of the first shows I saw as a teenager. Dorothy Collins did "Losing my Mind" so beautifully, and Alexis Smith sealed her Tony win with "Could I Leave You?" I remember being shocked that she swore on stage lol. That show was kind of magical."

I envy you so much having seen the original production. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 12:24am

Alecohanian said: "Beanie has just announced that she will not be performing this weekend due to tonsillitis. She posted a video to her instagram. Wrenches continue to be thrown in her last few weeks of performances and i'm sure there will be much speculation regarding her absence. I feel badly for her. I was excited to see her end on a triumphant note. Hopefully all is not lost."

Look, I'm supportive of the woman, but if anyone believes she has tonsillitis just on her say-so, I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

I get it: she's humiliated and she hasn't the energy to keep putting it out there when she knows the house is thinning and so many are against her, both behind the scenes and out there on the other side of the footlights.

It isn't professional behavior, though. That's my biggest critique of her: in the end, she hasn't acted like a professional about this. And I do hope she learns that being a professional is about what you do, not how you feel about what others have done to you.

Edited: and sorry to whoever liked this comment before the editing, but reading the comments even from her detractors accepting she has tonsillitis, I'm going to reverse myself and believe her. 

 

Updated On: 7/16/22 at 12:24 AM

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 12:32am

Papi2013 said: "joevitus said: "Sally Durant Plummer said: "I can't help but be reminded of what DAME so succinctly said after the first preview:

"I do not get the excuses. This is broadway. This is the olympics of theater. No one should be defending themselves for being over critical, having high expectations, or wanting the absolute best.""

Having high expectations for a Broadway performance isn't anything like venomously ripping a performer continuously because one didn't like them. One can insist on high standards while not repeated going into attack mode (not saying you did, saying many have). There have been enough comments on these threads--by people who have been posting here for years, not people signing up just to push Beanie--who found her voice light but effective and her work as an actress effective. A hopeless amateur wasn't cast here. Thus the excessively harsh posts are not about high standards, and those criticizing those harsh posts and not an example of how woebegone modern audiences don't understand what Broadway should represent."

But a lot of the repeated attacks was instigated by people like you that constantly posts on this thread and social media to defend the indefensible. And on top of it all.. you have not seen the show. You have been on here since day one making sure the drama level stays at high alert."

Absurd nonsense. First of all, I've said ALL ALONG that everyone has both the perfect right to hate her performance and to write negative responses to it. What I don't think was necessary, and the only thing I've criticized, were the personal attacks, the people who have repeated said how much "fun" it was to rip on her, and the repeated vicious posts long after the point was made. Now, when I disagree with someone, I'll disagree, but disagreeing in no way implies I don't think they have a right to express their honest opinion of the performance. 

More importantly, saying I or anyone defending Beanie caused the problem of more hostile responses is a bit like saying those who have supported Ukraine are responsible for Russia's continued and increasing presence there. Anyone's bad or rude behavior here is on them. Always. Not one person here is responsible for or "causing" the responses or posts of anyone else. But saying otherwise is a nice way to avoid personal responsibility. 

Updated On: 7/16/22 at 12:32 AM

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 12:42am

Kad said: "All the names being thrown around here were singular talents, major stars- and they were putting their mark on new roles, in several cases roles written for them specifically.


Feldstein isn’t that sort of singular talent who can command the stage, and she stepped into a role synonymous with Streisand, one of the most beloved vocalists of the last six decades. It’s not at all comparable."

Which was precisely the point of my comment. Kad (as always) manages to say it much more concisely than I did.

 

joevitus said: "...as I understand it, "Losing My Mind" was written as a duet for Phyllis and Sally, and it was Alexis Smith who told Sondheim it really should be a solo for Dorothy Collins."

Sondheim wrote the song with that in mind, but in rehearsals, Alexis was set to sing "Losing My Mind" as a solo in the Follies sequence. She felt uncomfortable singing a torch ballad with her vocal abilities and requested it go to Dorothy, and, as I said, to write a new number that would allow her to show off her legs. I recommend reading Chapin's masterwork Everything Was Possible for any detailed information about the original Follies production.

Of course, my point in that original post was that Alexis (who was originating a role) knew her strengths and weaknesses and wanted to play to her strengths - as did the Production team, because why would they want their leading lady to be subpar? The point is, the role of Fanny is tailored for an actress with many specific talents. Talents that Beanie does not possess to make the role as written (or re-written) work.

Updated On: 7/16/22 at 12:42 AM

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 12:46am

Have to agree that, whatever the director and producers wanted, Fanny needs a person who can sing the songs as the were written to be sung--said performer should be able to do the comedy and pathos, too, of course, but definitely that score is intended for a specific kind of voice. That's actually why I don't think the show should have been revived in the first place. It's a vehicle for one person, tailored for just her and just what she can do. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 1:15am

While I haven't seen Julie - nor did I see Mimi Hines, nor Marilyn Michaels, nor Sheridan Smith (who I understand didn't have the voice, but had the acting chops) - I don't think Streisand is the only one who can play this part. 

Many here have seen Julie and love her interpretation of the entire piece - primarily because she isn't an imitation and shows that someone else can sing the songs and act the role wonderfully well. I suspect Lea will have a more Babs element to her performance because she has a similar voice, but all things being equal, I have a feeling the audiences who see her will be more than happy with her efforts.

I said from the beginning no one is (or should be) expecting Streisand, but one expects a wonderful performance from a talented actress/singer/comedian. The show doesn't have to be scrapped because Streisand is not doing it anymore. The show is getting another chance, which I, personally think it deserves.

Updated On: 7/16/22 at 01:15 AM

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 4:54am

Georgeanddot2 said: "ManOfLaMuncha said: "https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/applause-3519#Awards



Lauren Bacall sang like a fog horn in Applause, but I loved every minute of it!

And she won the Tony that year for best actress in a musical."

 



A. That role in Applause doesn't require a strong singing voice. A strong singing voice is ESSENTIAL for Funny Girl.

B. Lauren Bacall could act."

  OK, I think people on the message board didn't understand why I posted this comment.  I was giving an example of one of the rare roles where it is ok to "talk sing", be an excellent actress and win an award.

I didn't mean that Beanie should get a pass and that she should have won the Tony.  She unfortunately took on a role which was originated by one of the best musical performers of our time. It's sad that she is in this embarrassing predicament, but her voice really isn't capable of handling this difficult score.  Sorry for the confusion, I was just giving an example and should have explained myself more clearly.

[binau]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 4:56am

I wonder if Beanie has already had her final performance. Maybe this is it and she won’t be back.