Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31 — Page 62

mememe said: "FranklinDickson2018 said: "Just finished watching the Birdland concert with Julie Benko and her husband Jason Yaeger.

I can't find enough superlatives to describe it . If folks would hear her sing -- I think all this nonsense about "Eve Harrington" would just go away. Julie is simply a marvelously talented singer and actress --- and judging from her onstage persona --- a warm caring person. Her rapport with the audience was great. The warmth is what I miss completely in Lea Michele. But that is just my opinion. How many of those calling out "Eve Harrington" have even heard Julie perform? She is (in my opinion) probably without equal in the world of female vocalists today. And her husband is a brilliant pianist. I expect more great things from them. Interestingly Julie sang "Second Hand Rose" tonight and it was a charmer!

And this article in Today pretty much conveys her persona.https://www.today.com/popculture/popculture/julie-benko-funny-girl-understudy-rcna44857"

The girl has a nice voice and all but she’s giving a serviceable cover level performance in Funny Girl. Perhaps when she is able to create a role from scratch, she will shine but there is nothing unique and special happening other than she can sing the notes, unlike Feldstein. That Bryant Park performance is like a high schooler with a good voice"

A lot of the praise for Benko is rooted in hostility towards Beanie. It's isn't fair to either performer. I do hope Benko gets a chance to shine in a role of her own. 

RippedMan said: "The role is rooted in Barbara. Doesn't seem like anyone will be happy. If they swing so far away from Barbara (like they did with Beanie) people aren't into it. So they swung back to a more conservative, safe approach, and people still aren't impressed. Can't win."

WTF is Barbara?!  Are you referring to Barbra Streisand?  At least get the woman’s name correct.  She’s been around since the early 60s.  With the name Barbra.



 

And let's not forget about "Color Me BarBRA" - another excellent television special (and album):



 

Updated On: 8/31/22 at 02:53 PM

CarlosAlberto said: "joevitus said: "A lot of the praise for Benko is rooted in hostility towards Beanie. It's isn't fair to either performer. I do hope Benko gets a chance to shine in a role of her own."

Seriously? And you know this how? Did you even see the show with either one of them? I sure did.

Everything isn't a conspiracy my dear. You must live a very paranoid existence. Maybe, just maybe the praise for Benko is simply rooted in the fact that she's the superior performer."

Comments like yours. The people who repeatedly push what a great performance she's giving are the people who mercilessly attacked Beanie. It's all about "Your understudy is the star, dear" now, "How great this talented performer is getting some traction." 

pmensky said: “
Legendarily stupid is definitely what comes to mind after reading this comment. She’s supposed to have carved out a legendary career on Broadway in 60 performances? First of all, I don’t think anyone has ever been in her position. Has anyone ever been a standby who received such widespread praise for their performance during their run as a standby then taken over the lead role when six months earlier they were basically unknown? Everyone is talking about her, and everyone is praising her. “Legendary” is a status that is earned over time. So, no, she is not legendary, but she’s certainly off to a good start."
 

I don’t doubt she is great but the reason why she got so much attention is that the lead she understudied for was uniquely miscast for the role and couldn’t sing the high notes. In such a highly anticipated revival, there was so much spotlight on both of them. Apparently the understudy for the London revival of Funny Girl was also better than the main Fanny. 

There’s no need to argue about her talent. The real test is when Lea Michele takes over. Will people still be talking about her or will she fade into the background? 
 

She is clearly talented and I hope she has a breakout role in the future. But it’s important to put her rise in perspective. 

DAME said: "CarlosAlberto said: "DAME said: "I believe I saw The Fan at a movie theater right next to the Palace when Bacall was doing Woman Of The Year. Fun schlocky film of its time. Pluto or Tubi carries it."

Yes, my friend. You saw "The Fan" at the (now defunct) Embassy 1 movie theater!

"

Wow. Thank you for that baby! That’s the New York I love and miss."

Me too!  I saw Woman of the Year, The Fan, and in the center up higher "Oh, Calcutta".  I remember two Krishna people were trying to get my cousin and I to go to a feast that night.  They were walking with us as we rushed towards the theater.  I said "Well, bye we're here!"  They looked up and saw the name of the play we were seeing and clutched their beads haha~

CarlosAlberto said: "joevitus said: "A lot of the praise for Benko is rooted in hostility towards Beanie. It's isn't fair to either performer. I do hope Benko gets a chance to shine in a role of her own."

Seriously? And you know this how? Did you even see the show with either one of them? I sure did.

Everything isn't a conspiracy my dear. You must live a very paranoid existence. Maybe, just maybe the praise for Benko is simply rooted in the fact that she's the superior performer."

You upvote one very rabid hater who hasn't seen the show, either, so you're a hypocrite.

And it doesn't matter if I've seen it because I'm not evaluating Benko or Beanie, merely pointing out that the only people championing Benko here are the ones who can't stop trashing Beanie. 

That was a really good read, and it addressed a lot.

Wonderful article, thank you for sharing. I look forward to the new fall show "Funny Girl!" (I joke, I joke). 

When I saw the show with Julie on Sunday, from the first note until intermission, act one ran around 81 minutes, which was down from close to 85 when I saw it in April. At the time, I couldn't tell what they did to tighten it, but I believe someone mentioned something about part of "Henry Street" being cut, which would explain it. In any case, it felt noticeably shorter to me, so a quick interlude with "I'd Rather Be Blue" probably won't be an issue, as far as timing is concerned. 

Any word as to when press night might be?

fosterfan2 said: "Will Lea get her own FG thread when she opens next week? This one is great,but it's already 62 pages. Julie (deservedly) has her own."

Hey! I have a great idea! Why don’t you start one? 

Problem solved.