Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31- Page 54

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 8/13/22 at 11:04am

"I guess in order to post on these threads you have to meet certain requirements. Is there somewhere I can see your credentials to post here? I posted very early on, the only reason I took an interest in FG was because of Ramin. I am a fan of Ramin's and did not become so until 2017 when I saw the DVD of  Phantom.

In general, I am not a Broadway fan. I can't afford to travel to NYC. However, I have enjoyed a number of shows over the years in person when I was younger at local venues, and those made into movies, including a number of boots. I have always loved cast albums and watch videos on YouTube. As for the Tony's, I haven't watched them in years (or the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, etc., either) I watched Glee once and didn't like it (I'm 76 now, so was in my late 60s early 70s when it was on and not interested in highs school shows). I never heard of Spring Awakening until I heard about Lea during the run of FG. Same with Beanie. However hard that may be for you to believe. I don't follow entertainment blogs because I really don't know - or care - who these young "stars" are. I watch the news and HGTV. 

I joined about a month ago and there are no requirements to join this site. Just to let you know, my father is 80 and has heard of Lea Michelle. Read my post again, I never said you knew all about her career and saw her perform. I just said it is hard for somebody not to have heard of her name. The death of her boyfriend (Corey Monteith) was a huge story on the nightly news and front-page news in newspapers. News about stars today is not relegated to an "Entertainment" section anymore, they are quite often front-page news or leading story of a news broadcast. No big deal, like you I am finished.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/13/22 at 11:07am

smallvillefan16 said: "This might be a stupid question but is there a reason this production didn't incorporate the improvements from the film? I've seen numerous productions of Grease that manage to combine the original show as well as the more famous film version. I just do not understand why they chose to go back to a lackluster book that was fixed in the film."

I didn’t think it was fixed in the film.  The first half of the film was outstanding, but IMO the second half was a slog.  Multiple times, stretched out on my sofa, I have fast forwarded through the book scenes to get to the songs…not because of repeater viewing but because the slow down the second half so much.  I haven’t seen FG yet — I will probably see it on my next NYC trip — but I can only assume that the addition of more dramatic songs in Act 2 (vs. The original shoe or movie must really slow it down.  At least LM will be able to sing the score.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/13/22 at 11:18am

Agree fully about the second act of the film (and the roadshow iteration in its debut -- there was an intermission -- only pointed it up). I have long held the belief that Streisand's "My Man" saves the movie from its maudlin descent. In the one number, famously reshot to allow a portion performed live, Brice and Barbra blur, and in the meta moment, the show's resolution seems to be about Streisand's ascendancy as a global phenom. Yes, she was already a recording star, but the film was a launch. When we get to "My Man," all is forgiven -- the drawn-out disintegration of the marriage, the soapy mother intrusion, the glossy take on Arnstein's criminality. Streisand grabs the movie by the collar and delivers a finale that announces her own start as much as Brice's return. I would argue that it's almost impossible to view the number without the acknowledging the Streisand goose bump experience. Those wanting the song interpolated into FG forget that aspect. Maybe it would serve, but on stage, the second act is no better than the film. And here we get the oddity, "Temporary Arrangement," which is stylistically in another show and feels written for Damon Runyon character. 

[MysteriousLady]

Posted: 8/13/22 at 12:18pm

Everything between "Sadie, Sadie" and "My Man" in the film is a bore, despite having one of the greatest directors in Hollywood and a sensational singer/actor. 

The problem is Sharif is playing a cardboard character. Maybe Sinatra would have been able to make something of it, or demand rewrites that made Nick work. Redford kept refusing The Way we Were because his character was cardboard. Eventually Laurents wrote a script that made both halves of the romance complicated and interesting. Shame that no one has done that with Funny Girl. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 8/14/22 at 10:07am

There are fit actors and then there is Ramin:

Not bad for a guy in his 40s.

Or one in his 30s.

Or a 20-something.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 8/16/22 at 8:52pm

I’ve been rewatching some Glee episodes where Lea is in Funny Girl and while I do believe she can sing the songs, I hope she brings her own voice, not just imitating Barbra. I also hope she gets the acting down. I’m anxious about that. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/17/22 at 11:06am

hearthemsing22 said: "I’ve been rewatching some Glee episodes where Lea is in Funny Girl and while I do believe she can sing the songs, I hope she brings her own voice, not just imitating Barbra. I also hope she gets the acting down. I’m anxious about that."

That wasn’t Lea but Rachel Berry in FUNNY GIRL on GLEE.   Her character idolizes Streisand so that interpretation was an acting choice.  Lea has never sung those songs in her own concerts ala Streisand.

And Lea would be a total moron if she even remotely hints her past behavior that was brought to the public’s attention.  I’m sure her contract had certain stipulations were incorporated including Actor’s Equity. I know Uma Thurman had this in her contract for THE PARISIAN WOMAN.  Even Madonna had it in her contract for the film of EVITA (she legally couldn’t interfere creatively with Alan Parker unless he asked - he didn’t want to have clashes during filming).  

[Dolly80]

Posted: 8/17/22 at 2:09pm

Why are messages being deleted from this thread? Anything that isn’t Pro Lea..?

[broadway86]

Posted: 8/18/22 at 11:14am

BrodyFosse123 said: "I’m sure her contract had certain stipulations were incorporated including Actor’s Equity. I know Uma Thurman had this in her contract for THE PARISIAN WOMAN."

I'm curious, what was the stipulation in Thurman's contract?

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 8/18/22 at 9:35pm

Everyone's favorite clammy soothsayer on TikTok is now reporting that a source has told him that they are adding My Man to the show for Lea with a new intro scene by Harvey to integrate it. I honestly don't know whether to believe it or not.

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 8/18/22 at 9:54pm

If this were to be true --- I hope they do the same for Julie Benko.  I would give anything to hear her sing this song.  In other words not have two concurrent performing editions. 

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 8/18/22 at 9:56pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "I’ve been rewatching some Glee episodes where Lea is in Funny Girl and while I do believe she can sing the songs, I hope she brings her own voice, not just imitating Barbra. I also hope she gets the acting down. I’m anxious about that."

That wasn’t Lea but Rachel Berry in FUNNY GIRL on GLEE. Her character idolizes Streisand so that interpretation was an acting choice. Lea has never sung those songs in her own concerts ala Streisand.

And Lea would be a total moron if she even remotely hints her past behavior that was brought to the public’s attention. I’m sure her contract had certain stipulations were incorporated including Actor’s Equity. I know Uma Thurman had this in her contract for THE PARISIAN WOMAN. Even Madonna had it in her contract for the film of EVITA (she legally couldn’t interfere creatively with Alan Parker unless he asked - he didn’t want to have clashes during filming)."

You don't hear any Streisand in this recent 2022 verson with Ms. Michele?  I sure do.  A lot.  Not that this is a bad thing --- but I hear it.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNGs_TcuFm0

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 2:00pm

jkcohen626 said: "Everyone's favorite clammy soothsayer on TikTok is now reporting that a source has told him that they are adding My Man to the show for Lea with a new intro scene by Harvey to integrate it. I honestly don't know whether to believe it or not. "

Unless this is a new change- this is not true.  Lea confirmed at her Boston concert that My Man was not being added to the show (she intro’d the song basically by saying “I won’t be able to sing this song on Broadway, so I thought instead I’d sing it tonight for you&rdquo

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 2:02pm

Stop with the tiktok crap, it's annoying and it's NOT a source. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 3:07pm

BrodyFosse123 said: 

And Lea would be a total moron if she even remotely hints her past behavior that was brought to the public’s attention. I’m sure her contract had certain stipulations were incorporated including Actor’s Equity. I know Uma Thurman had this in her contract for THE PARISIAN WOMAN. Even Madonna had it in her contract for the film of EVITA (she legally couldn’t interfere creatively with Alan Parker unless he asked - he didn’t want to have clashes during filming)."

 

Huh?? What is this gibberish you're spouting?  What sort of "stipulations" did Uma Thurman have in her contract?  Anything not covered in the Production Contract would not be enforceable and Equity would reject it.

 

[DAME]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 3:12pm

Sutton Ross said: "Stop with the tiktok crap, it's annoying and it's NOT a source."

I agree.  But there is nothing we can do about it.  

[Alecohanian]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 3:22pm

Funny Girl just posted a rehearsal video of Lea to their Instagram. She sounds marvelous.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 3:33pm

She sounds great! Def. feels like an event. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 3:35pm

A true event. She sounds gorgeous. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 3:40pm

That video was thrilling. She sounds great and looks like she is having the time of her life. Feels like a whole new show. Talk about the event of the Fall!

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 5:58pm

I really want a cast album now.  Wow - that was amazing (just like I knew she would be)!

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 6:07pm

If you want a Lea Michele - Funny Girl cast album, it already exists and it's called the Glee soundtracks. I'm sure someone has a playlist out there with all the collective Glee covers from the Funny Girl score. Besides the group numbers, they seem to have basically done all of Fanny's songs. 

Side note: the producers and social media team must be thrilled to be able to promote their show featuring the singing voice of their stars: Benko and Michele. 

Updated On: 8/19/22 at 06:07 PM

[barcelona20]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 6:31pm

I prefer Julie in every way.

[DAME]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 6:47pm

barcelona20 said: "I prefer Julie in every way."

Then by all means.. enjoy.  I just got myself tickets for Lea in September.  And I was not planning on seeing this production again.  I had swore I wouldn't give them any more of my money. I am going to bet that Lea will be electrifying.  But I have been wrong before. 

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 8/19/22 at 7:41pm

I’m apprehensive about Michele, but that clip and the copy of the ad did get me excited. Finally the marketing department of this show does something right