Leah Michele to do 6 nights of FUNNY GIRL a week, starting Sept 30 - Benko to do the other 2- Page 4

[lala3]

Posted: 7/3/22 at 1:37am

UWS10023 said: "inception said: "ManOfLaMuncha said: "UWS10023 said: "I loved her in Seesaw and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. She seems a little long in the tooth for the role."



You're thinking of Michelle Lee?

Michele Lee is 80 years old, and she would still be a better choice than Lea Michele


"
Oh I know now. She was in Howard The Duck and Back To The Future. Still seems a little old to me.

"

Nope

That was Lea Thompson.

Who I think is in her mid-late 50’s

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/3/22 at 4:18am

Demitri2 said: "I'd once read Streisand would instruct the conductor to agree to her "fast version" of the score if she wanted to get home an extra 10 or 15 minutes that day. And of course, it's well known Gwen Verdon would choose to cut entire songs from matinee performances of SWEET CHARITY such as "Where Am I Going" or "I'm A Brass Band." Producers should have had Helen Gallagher play matinees performing the entire show.

joevitus said, "She'll sing the hell out of the score, but I don't know that means she'll be a good Fanny Brice. She's frankly too traditionally pretty for the role."

Too pretty? Google the women who toured the show back in its time. Lanie Kazan was kind of an early Lea look-wise. And I think Barbara Cook, Marilyn Michaels, and Carol Lawrence, who all toured or did stock productions at the time were all as attractive as Lea if not more so. And as far as being too traditionally pretty, I don't see it. She looks more like Fanny than most other women who've played the role IMHO."

Michelle looks literally nothing like the Fanny Brice. Pictures have been taken of Benko where she does.

[pmensky]

Posted: 7/3/22 at 4:54am

I don’t understand all the bickering over what people look or don’t look like when it comes to this show. No one in the show looks like the people they’re supposed to be playing. It doesn’t matter. No one is going to decide to not see the show or demand their money back because the actors don’t look like their real life counterparts. Most people understand that there is a suspension of disbelief when you attend the theatre. I wish more of those people posted here. 

[UWS10023]

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

Oh now I remember. She was Big Boo in Orange Is The New Black.

[David10086]

Posted: 7/3/22 at 11:31am

pmensky said: "I don’t understand all the bickering over what people look or don’t look like when it comes to this show. No one in the show looks like the people they’re supposed to be playing. It doesn’t matter. No one is going to decide to not see the show or demand their money back because the actors don’t look like their real life counterparts. Most people understand that there is a suspension of disbelief when you attend the theatre. I wish more of those people posted here."

This reminds me of a Diahann Carroll interview in the 2000s, where she told the audience of ALW's reasoning as to why she couldn't possibly play Norma Desmond in 'Sunset Boulevard' in LA : there were no black actresses during the silent movie era. She responded that the audiences were able to suspend disbelief for the sake of good acting (whether it be on stage or on film). He still said 'no' to her - thankfully, Livent had no problem casting her in Canada. 

Updated On: 7/3/22 at 11:31 AM

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 7/3/22 at 1:07pm

Isn't Michele Lee a little old to be playing Fanny Brice?

No, I am not stupid.

Yes, I am being sarcastic.

I'm surprised it took this long to insert Lea Michele into the production.

I saw Julie Benko in early June and think she elevated the show and dare I say would have been nominated for a Tony Award if she would have opened in the role.

[David10086]

Posted: 7/3/22 at 11:26pm

I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the conference room where producers have their meetings. I’m surprised that the backstage drama hasn’t leaked to the press. No internal emails? Geesh! 🤣

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 8:43am

Have I missed any announcement that confirms this?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 8:49am

dramamama611 said: "Have I missed any announcement that confirms this?"

Nope.  Lots of hearsay on the rumor but no official confirmation.  You’ll know when that surfaces as it’ll be the headline everywhere.  It’ll be impossible to miss it.  

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 8:51am

^Certainly what I assumed....but I've been a bit off the grid for the last few days, close to a week! 

Thank you for the confirmation!

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 11:56am

The OP changed back the subject's name to Leah.  So disrespectful.

It's LEA.

 

Updated On: 7/4/22 at 11:56 AM

[felixleiter]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 12:29pm

I think there are a few things at play here-

1. Without Riedel we don't really have  high profile theatre gossip press per se.   Yes we have Deauxmoi etc who cover this stuff occasionally, but without people like riedel (and Ken Mandelbaum back in the day) we really only have places like this (the BWW forum) where people can find out things.

2.  Based on what i know firsthand from this particular show-there really isn't any real gossip.   There weren't knives out in the company for the star after the reviews. There wasn't a Beanie vs. Benko competition.   At most it was just a "sad trombone" situation.  The truth of it is really just boring. 

But yes, have the aforementioned gossip press spun multiple column inches out of less?  For sure. 

Now regarding Lea Michele-All I can say is that, we should all look  on the "sourcing" and the outlets that are sharing this.  Yes, PW has some cred, but other than that it's all rumor until it's announced.  Based on my conversations with people involved, I wouldn't even call her casting an "open secret" just yet.   

 

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 12:46pm

So, for some reason that I cannot for the life of me fathom, my initial post was deleted. But, I do want to say again what I wrote (provided it stays up this time.) 

 

Lea has never really done it for me as far as preforming is concerned. Fine, not every person is everyone’s cup of tea. That said, when it comes to her preforming I am very indifferent either way. That said, I know that there are folks on here that want to give her a second chance, that’s fine by me. However, my observation is it won’t be easy. Between cast members from both Glee and Spring Awakening speaking up about her abusive behavior, if she wishes to trying to change her reputation, it will be a very tough uphill climb. I do hope that if that is something she wants to do she is successful in doing so. However, it will be far from easy. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 1:51pm

I just don't see her willing to be a replacement. Considering her ego, she would probably want the show to close and then reopen in 3-4 years when she would be eligible for a Tony.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 2:12pm

Lea's career isn't exactly white-hot right now and she's very much aware she needs a major image rehab to be "legitimate" again. Heck, I'd even she she's pretty "un-hirable" in Hollywood right now based on her previous behavior on sets. 

I'm sure she *wants* a Tony and it's in her career plan but she knows taking a replacement gig (a high profile one at that which would get her on a couple talk shows) would help get her back in the good graces of the industry. Doing a few months where she builds good will by showing up for all shows, does charity events, etc etc will mean producers would be more likely to hire her for a show in the future where she can win awards. 

[pmensky]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 2:15pm

ACL2006 said: "I just don't see her willing to be a replacement. Considering her ego, she would probably want the show to close and then reopen in 3-4 years when she would be eligible for a Tony."

Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, and Patti Lupone are just a few actors who’ve been replacements on Broadway. I don’t think audiences looked at them as being second, but more like breathing new life into a show. If an actor believes they are capable of doing that, and they really want to perform the role, I don’t think the ego comes into play as much as one might think it does.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 2:17pm

And, for what it's worth, she certainly doesn't come across as egotistical in the Spring Awakening documentary.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 2:31pm

ACL2006 said: "I just don't see her willing to be a replacement. Considering her ego, she would probably want the show to close and then reopen in 3-4 years when she would be eligible for a Tony."

Very odd you don't understand the concept of change and maturity among human beings. Weird. But, her besties are some of these board's favorite people and are known for being cool and kind. Support her or don't but it's sad you think that people cannot learn or grow from their past actions, especially in show business. 

Updated On: 7/4/22 at 02:31 PM

[JasonC3]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 2:48pm

I think the percentage of theatergoers that would let whether or not someone is a replacement influence their desire to see a show would be pretty small.  For most people, wouldn't their interest in seeing a particular performer be the most significant consideration?

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 2:56pm

Sutton Ross said: "ACL2006 said: "I just don't see her willing to be a replacement. Considering her ego, she would probably want the show to close and then reopen in 3-4 years when she would be eligible for a Tony."

Very odd you don't understand the concept of change and maturity among human beings. Weird. But, her besties are some of these board's favorite people and are known for being cool and kind. Support her or don't but it's sad you think that people cannot learn or grow from their past actions, especially in show business."

You do realize that it’s only been a year since Samantha Marie Ware called her out due to Michele’s Black Lives Matter tweet and the hypocrisy surrounding it. Ware openly talked about how Michele threaten to **** in her wig, didn’t let her sit with some of the cast on a lunch break claiming that Ware didn’t belong. Now while other cast members weren’t so open with calling Ware calling out Michele, many of them simply “liked” what Ware had to say.
 

The outcome of this was that Michele lost her endorsement deal with Hello Fresh, and, wrote an apologetic tweet that felt forced. She may want to change her image but if she does then she has to realize she’s dug a major hole for herself and is going to need to do a lot to get herself out of it.

[smidge2]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 3:09pm

Islander_fan said: "Sutton Ross said: "ACL2006 said: "I just don't see her willing to be a replacement. Considering her ego, she would probably want the show to close and then reopen in 3-4 years when she would be eligible for a Tony."



You do realize that it’s only been a year sinceSamantha Marie Ware called her out due to Michele’s Black Lives Matter tweet and the hypocrisy surrounding it. Ware openly talked about how Michele threaten to **** in her wig, didn’t let her sit with some of the cast on a lunch break claiming that Ware didn’t belong. Now while other cast members weren’t so open with calling Ware calling out Michele, many of them simply “liked” what Ware had to say.


The outcome of this was that Michele lost her endorsement deal with Hello Fresh, and, wrote an apologetic tweet that felt forced. She may want to change her image but if she does then she has to realize she’s dug a major hole for herself and is going to need to do a lot to get herself out of it."

But you also realize that Ware was referencing something that happened to her six years ago. It is possible that Michele has matured since then, especially when she was no longer in the spotlight.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 3:11pm

Great comment, smidge. Actually, Glee season 6 was filmed in Summer/Fall of 2014 so basically eight years ago. 

Updated On: 7/4/22 at 03:11 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 3:13pm

Quite frankly, I myself would revisit FUNNY GIRL if Lea did indeed join the show and I’m sure interest in FUNNY GIRL will surpass the initial interest the revival had prior to opening.  Lea would definitely make more of an impact in the box office than Beanie did.  This FUNNY GIRL revival opened with excitement based on the 1968 film not Beanie.  Lea would turn it into the event revival.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 3:18pm

Sutton Ross said: "Great comment, smidge. Actually, Glee season 6 was filmed in Summer/Fall of 2014 so basically eight years ago."

Well, with all due respect, Lea was on the short-lived ABC TV comedy THE MAYOR and my friends who worked on that show still have horror stories about her during those few months they filmed in 2017.  So much so that even her co-star Yvette Nicole Brown was one to speak up during that infamous Twitter expose on Lea.  

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/4/22 at 3:19pm

I never said that she couldn’t change. I was saying, however, that should she change her tune, her reputation is shot. Even if she does change drastically it is still going to be an uphill climb for people to view her in a new light. Never said that she can’t change or is not capable of doing so. If she does change altering one’s reputation is never an easy task.