Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31 — Page 43

Lea Michele.

I just find her astonishingly dull for someone with such a fanbase. Her caterwauling is sleep-inducing except for cats.

But if she sells tickets to this woebegone revival and keeps people employed, I'm all for that.

I don't think "My Man" was in the original Broadway show. But since it closes the bloated movie version, here it is again.

Much like when "Maybe This Time" and "Mein Herr" were included in revivals of "Cabaret." Those songs weren't in the original staging, but after that film version, audiences expected them.

Of course, "Cabaret" is a much superior musical than "Funny Girl." Both on stage, and certainly, on film.

Updated On: 7/21/22 at 03:44 PM

bwayphreak234 said: ""My Man" is not in this production."

My Man was never in the stage production. They couldn't get rights. I was reminded this was discussed here early on. I understand Nicky had the rights and was still alive when the show went into production and would not release them. The Music That Makes Me Dance is the My Man of the show and a brilliant torch song, which I actually like better.

Updated On: 7/21/22 at 03:51 PM

pmensky said: "Jarethan said: "Does anyone know exactly how many performances she would have performed in and how many she would have missed, if she misses no further performances? It must be a record ratio for missed performances, not to mention the brevity of her run. Re her quick exit after opening, I can only think of Madelyn Kahn (20th Century) and Dean Jones (Company) who left quicker than she did for a big budget musical, and that covers 50+ years. Re missed performances, I don’t have a sense, although I do not recall either of them having bad attendance records while in the shows."

Sarah Brightman only did 5 months of the Phantom run on Broadway. She had her last performance the night before the Tonys that year.


Sarah Brightman originated the role in London and equity at first refused to allow her to recreate the role on Broadway Webber had to threaten to not open without her and equity gave in and limited her to a six month run

WithoutATrace said: "This is a fascinating question, so I just did some quick math.

In 1970, Dean Jones performed in Company from April 15, 1970 through May 28, 1970. This includes 12 previews and five weeks of regular performances (8 x 5 = 40), so Dean Jones performed approximately 52 total performances.

In 1978, Madeline Kahn performed in On the Twentieth Century from February 9, 1978 through April 22, 1978. This includes 11 previews and nine weeks of regular performances (8 x 9 = 72), so Madeline Kahn performed approximately 83 total performances.

According to IBDB, by July 31, Funny Girl will have played 30 previews and 113 performances. Beanie Feldstein performed at all preview performances, so if she missed approximately 25% of the regular performances, she performed in 85 of the 113. This would bring her grand total of performances to approximately 115. This, of course, is provided that she performs all 16 for the next two weeks."

Beanie only played 85 post opening perfs? Sounds low. But if true that’s the equivalent of only10 and a half weeks worth of performances. Sadly that means she disappointed many of her own fans. How wild is it that Barbara Streisand did not want to miss a performance - did not want anyone to play her role - and Babs was a big star at that point who had no reason to be scared of being upstaged. Beanie, who would be harmed more by comparisons to an understudy scheduled time off and repeatedly missed additional performances She lost control of a narrative she could have turned around. More signs of bad personal management. Those who let her attempt the role did not help her when she really needed them during the lead up to the reviews and the aftermath.

How wild is it that Barbara Streisand did not want to miss a performance - did not want anyone to play her role - and Babs was a big star at that point who had no reason to be scared of being upstaged.

It must also be noted that Barbra (not Barbara) Streisand missed her first performance a year into her run. A full year of a perfect performance record before truly calling in sick. Way to go, Beanie.

https://hudsonreview.com/2022/07/funny-girl-and-the-streisand-phenomenon/?fbclid=IwAR0GEEqykiJGCLq2CqcKCUAUdzFZ8Q1d4enHJEQU3reKilVWWtyeulnhebQ&mibextid=ghrler&fs=e&s=cl#.YtirtjkpAlQ

Excellent article on a new thread...yes, a new FG thread called Streisand and the Funny Girl Phenomenon.

This paragraph focuses on Beanie.

"Just as damagingly, Feldstein is not even particularly funny, relying on three muggy facial expressions that she cycles throughout the performance, all of which are variations on “Can you believe I’m up here on a stage singing and dancing?!” Most damagingly, she seems like a teenage girl (although, amazingly, she’s older than Streisand was when she originally played the role), with a jejune quality, lacking in any lived experience. Her performance feels high school, and not just in its amateurishness. She seems like she’s playing dress-up in mommy’s wig and high heels. The second act is a particular problem, requiring her to pretend that she’s a great, suffering, grown-up lady: “Look at me! I’m acting sad!” The romantic scenes with Karimloo feel downright creepy, as if a 43-year-old professional actor was imported into a high school production to romance the 16-year-old girl who got cast in the lead because it was her turn. Feldstein also ducks any kind of anger or wounded pride or determination that would come off as aggressive. She’s so invested in being nice and adorable—which is exactly not right for Funny Girl’s version of Brice."

Only Lea's first night has ticket prices that high, and, just because someone has listed them for resale at $2k, doesn't mean anyone will pay it.

The seats were already sold at $269, and someone decided to list them for resale at a ridiculous amount. It happens all the time, but it only matters how much someone is willing to pay for them, which I doubt will be $2k.

I get what you're saying, but those prices really don't mean much. I'm sure Lea is thrilled to see it, though!

Updated On: 7/22/22 at 12:16 PM

$2K to witness Lea ape Barbra Streisand?

LOL.

Wait a week. You'll be able to experience her greatness for $2.00.

Or better yet, go see Steven Brinberg, where at least you can have cocktails.

Updated On: 7/22/22 at 02:38 PM

"$2K to witness Lea ape Barbra Streisand?

LOL.

Wait a week. You'll be able to experience her greatness for $2.00."

How about waiting until she actually has performed in the show before making judgements.

Penna2 said: "So nice to see Lea and Julie (on her thread) getting their own Fanny drawings. Anyone know what they are doing with the marquee?"

They're not real:

https://twitter.com/jacobrivsan/status/1549766723301163008

They look professional. When I first saw the tweet pop up in my feed, I thought they were real.