Would love to see a revival of Bells are Ringing with Beanie

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 8:19pm

I saw this idea mentioned on another website and it struck me as a perfect role.  I rewatched video footage of Beanie in Funny Girl, and I was struck by her radiant smile, big heart, and obvious love of performing and of her audience.  All of the qualities that Judy Holiday had -- and a terrific sense of humor and comic timing which they both share.   I think vocally Ella's music would be perfect for Beanie.  I don't know if Bells are Ringing is a show that folks are thinking of reviving --- but I think she would be perfect for that role.  A warm loveable onstage presence --- which she really is, and a role that is vocally very well suited to her gifts.   Just a thought.  I would be first in line to buy a ticket .   And it would be fun to think of whom to cast as Jeff, and also Sue! Lots of great roles in this show.  Maybe it is something she can do in regional theater.  Perhaps on the West Coast.  A daydream for now! 

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 8:56pm

The chances of Beanie being in anything on Broadway in the next 20 years are very low.  A producer would be a fool to hire her after her most recent debacle.  I say this as someone who finds Beanie talented (yet horribly miscast in FG).

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 8:58pm

jlindsey865 said: "The chances of Beanie being in anything on Broadway in the next 20 years are very low. A producer would be a fool to hire her after her most recent debacle. I say this as someone who finds Beanie talented (yet horribly miscast in FG)."

I think she'd do well in a play.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 9:05pm

"I would be the first in line to buy a ticket."

There won't be much of a line ahead of you because the mere mention of Beanie's name in NYC results in either a giddy laugh or a prolonged groan. It's going to be a long time before she treads the boards on Broadway again. When that time comes, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS would be a better vehicle for her.

Updated On: 1/10/23 at 09:05 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 9:23pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "jlindsey865 said: "The chances of Beanie being in anything on Broadway in the next 20 years are very low. A producer would be a fool to hire her after her most recent debacle. I say this as someone who finds Beanie talented (yet horribly miscast in FG)."

I think she'd do well in a play."

A play, an original musical, a supporting role in a musical. I hope she DOES return to Broadway sometime and wasn't too scared away by the FG saga.

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 9:38pm

No thanks, I’ll skip this one. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 9:56pm

No, no, no, no - she’s already offended Jule Styne (from the grave) by destroying one of his scores, must she be given the opportunity to do it again? 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 10:51pm

CarlosAlberto said: "No, no, no, no - she’s already offended Jule Styne (from the grave) by destroying one of his scores, must she be given the opportunity to do it again?"

Agree nobody wants to hear her sing ever again in a musical on Broadway. Stay away Beanie. Now, a play in the future...ok.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 11:28pm

Robbie2 said: "CarlosAlberto said: "No, no, no, no - she’s already offended Jule Styne (from the grave) by destroying one of his scores, must she be given the opportunity to do it again?"

Agree nobody wants to hear her sing ever again in a musical on Broadway. Stay away Beanie. Now, a play in the future.

 

Perhaps her father and brother will pull out their checkbooks to finance a production of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? so Beanie can star as Martha.

 

[TheatreTeacher88]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 8:55am

Id rather see Lea Michele or someone like Laura Ambrose in that role 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 10:34am

Beanie was lovely in Hello Dolly. I see no reason why she couldn't play more supporting roles like that, especially comedic roles. Fanny Brice was certainly not her role and she isn't suited for carrying a show like that, especially in a role that demands such a powerhouse voice - but when she's good, she's really good.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 11:14am

How about Beanie as Clio in a revival of MOST HAPPY FELLA? That feels right in her wheelhouse, she'd be a bit of a "name," but doesn't have to carry the show.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 11:47am

Two words: "Master Class."

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 12:03pm

TheGingerBreadMan said: "Beanie was lovely in Hello Dolly. I see no reason why she couldn't play more supporting roles like that, especially comedic roles. Fanny Brice was certainly not her role and she isn't suited for carrying a show like that, especially in a role that demands such a powerhouse voice - but when she's good, she's really good."

I completely agree. Many people here on the boards loved her in Dolly and then immediately turn on her for Funny Girl. I'm not saying Funny Girl was a step in a wrong direction, because there are people who obviously considered it a right direction since the show happened in the first place. But there is a better direction for her that are more well-suited to her skills - and I won't even say strengths or weaknesses - they are skills and she has skills. Call me uber "forgiving", but the girl deserves some grace and (I would hope) is not afraid to return to a New York stage in a play or a musical. Empathy; please practice it.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 12:07pm

I would love to see a revival of Bells Are Ringing.   I love the score, it has a great role for the leading lady, and I have never had a chance to see it live.  They would have to make some serious cuts, e.g., get rid of The Midas Touch and the Beatnik number to start with, but a lot of it is delightful.  I have seen the movie many times, but do fast forward several times because when its bad...

I was living outside the New York area with small children when the Faith Prince revival was done, so I was unable to see it.

DID ANYONE SEE IT?  I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THOUGHT ON THAT PRODUCTION.  Is the show just too dated or could the right director and book-revisor create a hit, based on that solid score and the right leading lady.  Gotta admit that I could see Beanie in the role, but I can't imagine that she would ever want to set foot on a NY stage again.

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 3:46pm

Hello, and since you asked.   I did see the Faith Prince revival twice.  I saw it in Stamford(freezing cold rain that day as I recall) and up entering the theater I remember a lady whacked me with her cane because I think she thought I had cut in line to get in. I didn't!  LOL  So, I was on the front row.  And another lady comes up and asks me if I can move over.  I said "sure" especially because Comden and Green ended up sitting next to me.  And Green's son.

The revival was splendid but it was an "out of body" experience for me, because Green kept up a running commentary saying things like "this never worked in 1956" and "this is better today" and "this we have to fix"  I was in heaven and pretended to ignore everyone but I was hanging on every word.   

I loved the revival, and thought that Prince has a great "Lucille Ball" like quality to her portrayal and she sang the songs beautifully.  Mark Kudisch was also very very good.

I was back in the NYC area some weeks later and caught the show before it closed on Broadway.  It was almost not the same show.  So many small changes were made that the humor and delight was gone.  I remember writing to Prince's PR person that I was going to see the show again and she said "brace yourself" meaning that it wasn't the fun it was in New Haven.   Still, Prince and Kudisch were a delightful pair.  Lots of chemistry between them. But I remember hearing that "interfering hands" might have kept the show from achieving its full potential. 

A great memory and at least in Stamford, I felt that I was part of the show. I kept wildly grinning at Comden and Green -- at least to let them know how much I enjoyed it.