West End's Funny Girl opens tonight- Page 3

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/27/15 at 8:27pm

I hope the state of Broadway isn't Sheridan Smith's fault. 

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 11/27/15 at 8:38pm

It's not :)

Posted: 11/27/15 at 10:40pm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12021956/First-look-at-Sheridan-Smiths-Funny-Girl-as-play-returns-to-London-after-fifty-years.html

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/28/15 at 1:49am

I just hope it doesn't come to Broadway and it's another "bare bones" revival. I feel like the way to revive a show these days is to just strip it of any sort of "Broadway glamor" and give it a blank, sterile set. 

[JenniferCali]

Posted: 11/28/15 at 6:07pm

I think the costumes are amazing.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 11/28/15 at 10:20pm

Hamilton22 said: "...The producers of the broadway show always wanted "My Man" in the show. They knew it was the stronger song....

 

"

Hamilton, if "stronger song" were the criterion, then every show would buy the rights and end with "Over the Rainbow"! I'm not a fan of "Don't Rain on My Parade" (or of Bob Merrill's lyrics in general), but at least the reprise contrasts with the Act I rendition. Only "Don't Rain on My Parade" means "I'm going to be with Nick" in Act I and "I'm going to be fine without Nick" in Act II. I.e., "Nobody, no, nobody" (not even Nick) "is gonna rain on my parade." A clear statement of strength.

 

What does "My Man" say on Fannie's behalf? (Even with "He beats me, too/What can I do?" cut.) It's "What's the Use of Wonderin'" 20 years later. Do you see Fannie as a romantic masochist?

 

Now in the film, Streisand can easily play strength despite the lyric because she's more or less in close up. She becomes a romantic tragedienne, soldiering on bravely despite the hole in her heart.

 

But would we get the same impression on stage? I'm not sure. The song would still work, but would the play?

Updated On: 11/28/15 at 10:20 PM

[edcrum]

Posted: 11/30/15 at 2:03pm

Hamilton22 said: "Is her voice powerful enough to knock out those big bumbers like I'm the greatest star, People, Don't rain on my parade and such? I'm particularly interested in greatest star. The song doesn't work unless you actually believe you're listening to the greatest star. Is Sheridan the greatest star?

Saw this for the second time last Saturday and it is definitely ready for Press Night AND The Savoy.

SS is superb all round, singing like a dream.  She starts Greatest Star singing to convince herself, her friends and her family but by the end of the song she is singing it to the world!  From that point there is no let up - she has the audience in the palm of her hand AND by the scruff of the neck.

All I can say is SEE this show - I have a few more visits booked and can't wait!

"

 

[hork]

Posted: 11/30/15 at 4:14pm

Oh, good. I'm seeing this in April at the Savoy. I wasn't sure about it, but now I'm excited.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 11/30/15 at 4:22pm

Sounds exciting. Wish I could see it. Any pictures online?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/30/15 at 6:03pm

Something something Merman and microphones.

 

Ammirite?

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 11/30/15 at 6:03pm

Only two production shots have been released, but they're delicious!

 

This is from the beginning of the show.

 

 

and this is the end of 'Parade'!

 

And here's some brilliant rehearsal photos: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Go-Inside-FUNNY-GIRL-Rehearsal-Starring-Sheridan-Smith-20151115

Updated On: 11/30/15 at 06:03 PM

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 11/30/15 at 9:52pm

Loving the rehearsal photos. Sheridan looks great. So wish I could see this.

[mallardo]

Posted: 12/1/15 at 3:25am

 I saw this the other night and Sheridan is dazzling.  No, she can't sing like Streisand  but she can sell those songs and she can play this part.  She's genuinely hilariously funny and absolutely heartbreaking.  Her relationship with Darius Campbell's towering Arnstein - they have a lot of fun with her height in this, the chorus girls are also towering - is wonderful and touching.  Michael Mayer's production is smart and focused and just right.  A great show!

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/1/15 at 2:50pm

mallardo, can you share a song list?

[mallardo]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 4:33am

ACT ONE

Overture

If A Girl Isn't Pretty

I'm The Greatest Star

Cornet Man

His Love Makes Me Beautiful

I Want To Be See With You

Henry Street

People

You Are Woman, I Am Man

Don't Rain On My Parade

ACT TWO

Entr'Acte

Sadie, Sadie

Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?

Temporary Arrangement

Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat (hilarious!!)

Who Are You Now?

What Do Happy People Do?

The Music That Makes Me Dance

Funny Girl/Finale ( a brief reprise of Don't Rain On My Parade)

 

 

 

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:37am

Interesting that they chose to put "Funny Girl" at the end of the show. 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:41am

Tonight Funny Girl is officially opening, so from tomorrow we can read what the critics think about it and if the West End transfer is a wise choice.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:42am

Anxious to hear. Funny Girl is such a hard show to get right. I hope Sheridan blows them all away.

[ggersten]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 12:47pm

Per Theatreforum, new sets of tix for the Menier run were released today.  But, I just went to the Menier site and it says "sold out" - but you might want to give them a call to see what's up. Also, reports that the cancellation line has been good to some people.  

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 1:09pm

"Funny Girl" is my favorite musical, so excuse the somewhat pretentious amount of knowledge I'm putting into this:

 

Thrilled to see them add 'Temporary Arrangement'. Glad they've found a Nick who can actually hold up a solo like that! And I'm happy about the 'Funny Girl' addition. However, I hope they kept in all the strong lyrics from 'Parade (Reprise)' or else it's a danger zone for me. Fanny as a character and as a real life woman were very strong, and in the stage show I think she should always end as strong as one can write her. 

 

Interested to hear 'What Do Happy People Do?', too. And although I would love to play Eddie someday, I'm ecstatic to see they've gotten rid of 'Find Yourself A Man' - such a weird and not needed moment. Glad to have it recorded on the OBC though. It's a nice listen every few years. It is history, after all. 

 

I welcome this new production with open arms. It seems as though this production staff knows what they're doing.

Updated On: 12/2/15 at 01:09 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 1:12pm

Sheridan Smith is such a cutie! So adorable! I wish I could see this as well.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 1:39pm

So far the lesson from this thread is:  my man is uncut.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 1:52pm

henrikegerman said: "So far the lesson from this thread is:  my man is uncut."

 

Google "Darius kilt picture", Henrik, and you will see otherwise.

 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 12/2/15 at 7:48pm

https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/funny-girl-review-at-the-menier-chocolate-factory-london-sheridan-smith-succeeds/

First review from The Stage.

[mallardo]

Posted: 12/3/15 at 8:27am

Reviews are very positive and it has been extended in the West End (before it even opens there) until Sept 10, 2016.