Why is London getting Funny Girl and we aren't? — Page 3

It helps if the actress can at least pass for Jewish (not these shiksa blonde choices). But the more important point is that she can't be pretty. The whole point of Fanny Brice becoming a comedienne was that she didn't have the conventional looks to be a showgirl.

The very first song in the show is called "If A Girl Isn't Pretty".

Sher is fabulous. Part of me questions whether she really has the vocal chops to carry Fanny (her vocals were the weakest part of her great performance in "Legally Blonde") but she is definitely the kind of grand scale 'personality' the piece needs.

"I am so sick of reduced musicals.
Tinker-toy orchestras that sound like high-school marching bands.
Sets-that-are-no-sets-because-Brecht-or-something.
Actors who can't sing, and forget-about-choreography.
I hope this one opens over there, stays over there, and closes over there, where people still think reducing musicals is a good idea.
Note to Broadway producers who like to bring reduced British musicals over here: Thanks a lot but noooooooooooooo thanks."

There is so much to love about every single word of PJ's post. I love it so much I want to hug it...and I wholeheartedly agree. Nooooooooo thanks!

""I am so sick of reduced musicals.
Tinker-toy orchestras that sound like high-school marching bands.
Sets-that-are-no-sets-because-Brecht-or-something.
Actors who can't sing, and forget-about-choreography.
I hope this one opens over there, stays over there, and closes over there, where people still think reducing musicals is a good idea.
Note to Broadway producers who like to bring reduced British musicals over here: Thanks a lot but noooooooooooooo thanks."

There is so much to love about every single word of PJ's post. I love it so much I want to hug it...and I wholeheartedly agree. Nooooooooo thanks!"

Google The Production Company Melbourne-they have been doing 3 musicals a year-this is their 20th year-very successfully showcasing local talent and letting audiences see shows that wouldn't/couldn't have a commercial run[mostly]. Recently Caroline O'Connor in Gypsy was a sell out and a show stopper[she also did Funny Girl] and their production of The Producers and La Cage the best I have ever seen. Don't know how it compares to Encores but would rather see a Production Company show than no show.

Here's Sheridan playing Cilla Black. She did her own vocals, so you can get an idea of how she sings. Just remember she's trying to mimic Cilla Black, so she had to make some vocal choices she might not make in playing Fanny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1AiIlQYwJE

Sheridan

Updated On: 6/12/15 at 05:55 PM

As Elle -

Hot gegger

I would also love to see Annaleigh Ashford do this role. She would get the comedy down.

She's not Jewish, but I think she does have a unique look.

The unique look and charisma is really all that matters

Madonna had a unique look and charisma for Evita and she completely nailed those songs.....

Thanks for clearing things up!

"You can pay attention to the actors more, and the story is more intimate. Not all shows should be big broadway musicals."

I still think some people aren't getting the point here. So let's try again.

The book of Funny Girl is not good. It's the music and the production numbers that pull the show up.

If you strip down the production numbers and lessen the instruments in the orchestra, it will emphasize how bad the book is. It would take a supremely talented actress to rise above that.

Funny Girl was touring around in the 90s. Was it Debby Gibson doing the tour? The reason it didn't come to Broadway was that it was a stripped down version and everyone realized without a full orchestra and big production numbers, the show ain't good.

The Melbourne/Sydney rivalry is silly [and childish]--each has their own wonderful personalities--visit both and enjoy their difference.