is Lea Michele going to be in FUNNY GIRL?! | Beanie Feldstein Broadway Replacement News + Gossip
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
- OHMYGOD HEY!
With the news that Beanie Feldstein will be departing the role of Fanny Brice in the recent Broadway Revival of FUNNY GIRL earlier than originally planned this September, Broadway is buzzing with one question: who will replace her?
On the one hand, her understudy Julie Benko has been receiving rave reviews from audience members who have seen her recent performances in the role while an anonymous tip to a gossip sight has others considering Lea Michele, star of the TV show Glee, who has long been associated with this role and show.
Check out today's video to find out how much truth there is to these rumours!
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Funny aside: Julie Benko was in the ensemble and understudied the role of Wendla in the first national tour of Spring Awakening, the role that was, of course, originated by Lea Michele.
Julie Benko has zero charisma... she is generic.
That tells me that this replacement was probably always planned!
I deliberately bought Tix to see Julie Benko when Beanie took personal time Fabulous
My parents saw Funny Girl last week and said the audience could not stop talking about Julie Benko. They were just sitting at intermission, chatting with literally everyone around them about how phenomenal she was. I think she could easily replace Beanie, from both a talent and box office perspective. My father, who is not a theater lover, said Julie as Fanny Brice made him see why theater is so loved. And my mom said she only booked tickets for Funny Girl BECAUSE an old friend told her the understudy was on that week and that the show was worth seeing BECAUSE of Julie. The word of mouth Julie is receiving should not be overlooked!
I saw Julie and she was absolutely incredible. Her vocals were phenomenal and she embodied the role perfectly
Julie deserves to take over the role. She is phenomenal!
I have no doubt that she is incredible. But maybe people love her more due to the fact that beanie wasn’t that great hence Julie is awesome relative to beanie. I think Lea Michele would be the best candidate for the role
@@edwardonochie3565 One would have to have seen both women perform to say Julie was awesome relative to Beanie. Most of the reports have been coming from people who hadn't seen Beanie. Most hadn't seen Beanie and said Julie gave a Tony-worthy performance. Even having seen both - you can tell who is fabulous and who is mediocre. It isn't a matter of comparison. Some people are just great.
I remember you, you kept telling everyone how great Beanie was. Hmmm.
Her name will not drive sales. She will not be given the lead.
It's not a staple too Broadway so an understudy replacing the lead would never work in this situation. Had it been the circumstances that Julie was announced originally with an all-star cast around her from day one? Yes. That's how the previous attempt at a Funny Girl revival was being billed. An unknown in the same sense that Barbra was an unknown. Instead it was a revival paid for by the father of the star more or less because she wanted to play the role. I'm not calling her a bad actress. Although, I find it funny that there have been no public performances of Beanie. Where is her Tonight Show appearance? The Today Show? Good Morning America? The View? Something other than a commercial on their YT channel? Clearly they are trying to hide something of it. Why was there not an LP for Don't Rain on my Parade?
This is what struck me! When they released the clip storm of rehearsal footage, I was deeply underwhelmed by her parts in it, and presumably that was cherry-picked to get up the buzz for the role! So seeing the lack of underpinning support for Beanie's performance, I cynically wonder if they're doing that because they want people to come pay to see it themselves as a last resort to get money out of her performance from people who aren't enthused about it?
@Lilymoon I’m more referring to like her making the rounds singing numbers from the show. I think Six has been on every major talk show at this point. Where was Beanie singing Don’t Rain on my Parade? I’m the Greatest Star? Honestly it seems like her parents got her a really expensive birthday gift in the form of a Broadway musical to star in.
@Lilymoon When a star from a show is invited on they generally perform. In one interview, they actually played Streisand.
Streisand was by no means unknown when she did Funny Girl.
@@stuartrichardson9004 She was definitely not a household name by any stretch. Beanie had played Monica right before this run and was in several movies while small parts her family is rather well known. Barbra was a stage actress with only a hand full of credits. It's not like she was the main character on a sitcom the year before with a built in fan base through social media. Very different climate.
Also, just want to say, Mickey, you’re a LEGEND for getting these videos out so quickly. You always have the scoop perfectly thought out, recorded, and uploaded while my brain is still processing the info and I’m wanting to “talk” to someone about it! You’re keeping a girl who lives 7,000 miles away from her theater friends very, very happy and fulfilled.
I love how you genuinely just know this off the cuff rather than read out a script like other channels. You’re totally authentic and passionate about Broadway and I love it Vibes: feels like you’re telling me the tea over a glass of wine at dinner 💁🏻♀️ And I’m DRINKING IT UP
Fran Drescher would be great as Fanny's mom! I saw her in Cinderella in Los Angeles a few years ago and she was terrific.
I would love it but I think she needs to stay in LA as she's SAG president these days.
@@mrchrisliddell she is? Good for her! She deserves to be President of SAG! Love that woman!
@@allshookup1640 agreed!!
was she the evil stepmom or the fairy godmother?
@@jacquelinecallejas1390 the evil stepmother 😊
“Bootlegs”? You mean, “slime tutorials”?
Ok let me clear up this rumor right now. I work at Funny Girl, and I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that the producers have not announced cast replacements to anyone in the company.
Well if they do and they name Lea Michelle joining the cast in the lead, I advise you to leave, quit and spare yourself the diva abuse.
@@lorip7527 y’all don’t even know if she’s like that anymore lol. So many of those reports are from over 5+ years ago
@@mariachiakulas3069 And why would anyone assume she's evolved into a decent person after consistently being a bitch throughout her life. The burden of proof is on her, not us.
It’s also important to note that Ryan Murphy acquired the rights to ‘Funny Girl’ around 2013, ostensibly for Michele to star, at the same time he acquired the rights to ‘Long Days Journey’ for Jessica Lange. Obviously, the former never materialized, while the latter was a huge success.
I did not know Lange had done that play lately. I saw her performance in London in 2000. I had looked forward to seeing her and Paul Rudd, but I was disappointed. Rudd had a full beard that I thought ruined the eye candy aspect, and the play is such a downer that it’s hard to enjoy. Lange seemed to me to be channeling Katherine Hepburn, and I thought that was distracting.
I didn’t know anything about mid-Atlantic accents at the time. If I had known, I would have realized that was what what Lange was going for, not a Hepburn impression. Olivia Colman was also in the cast, but I don’t remember her.
The word was that Lea decided not to do it because it was too soon after Glee and the songs from Funny Girl that she had already done.
@@kevinbailey8827 yes, it was revived on Broadway by Roundabout in 2016, and Lange won the Tony Award for it.
Saw her and she was breathtaking.
We cannot deny Lea's talent. She has a beautiful voice and is a good actress (not great, though I make this comment solely on seeing her in Glee). It's a difficult one. There are enough people out there saying their experience with her wasn't very nice so we have to believe that she can certainly be difficult. But I for one believe in second chances and that people can change. She has been hauled over the coals and has acknowledged her short comings and some may say made herself accountable...again, everyone's opinions on this will differ, I'm not sure I would personally feel she had done enough but she's done something. She's a mother now and her life has changed. Should she be given a chance to redeem herself? I personally think so. The sh*t is out of the horse with regards to her previous behaviour, but do we bring these things to the light to forever brand someone as evil or to offer the opportunity for growth and learning? All that said, it does sound like Miss Benko has done a wonderful job and, if she is talented and right for the role, it would be great to see her supported and given the opportunity to front the show.
Lea is at the very least a narcissist. Narcissists do not change. PS She wasn't acting on Glee, that was Lea Michelle.
@@lorip7527 your view is one I'm sure many share. I've no personally knowledge of the woman and I have no expertise in being able to diagnose her as anything. As I said, there seems to be enough evidence to suggest she behaved badly within colleagues. I've certainly behaved in ways I'm not proud of, and think many have. However, she is older and her life has changed and I would hope she has had a chance to learn from her past, and as I say, I believe she is talented and we all know she can sing the role, I believe in second chances, that's all.
@@lorip7527 Narcissistic disorder must be diagnosed by a professional. Thing you are not. And by the way, comparing a fictional character to a real person not only makes you unprofessional, it makes you really stupid.
The role is made for a quirky actress with a top-notch voice. That disqualifies Leah.
Yes, people should be allowed to grow and redeem themselves, but they should have to prove with action that they've done so *before* they get rewarded. My main reason for not liking Lea Michele is not that she behaved badly but that she apologized badly. It was ingenuine at best, and she denied or skirted the worst of the allegations, which tells me she issued an apology because of the bad press and not because she regretted her behavior. Being a mother is not evidence for the content of her character.
Lea Michele is notoriously known in the american theatre circles as someone you do not want to work with, I assume the film/tv industry is learning this as well after Ryan Murphy, though it's not as tightly knit. I will be VERY surprised if she as actually offered the role, or is replacing Beanie. Lea had her spotlight and abused it.
Everyone that’s worked with the girl from Spring Awakening onward has a story on her. My friend was an extra in glee and the regular extras had many stories. She’s far from the only actress but she’s the poster child for this generation of being difficult and some of her behavior goes beyond that if the talent being extra.
@@anthonyL1995 What has "this generation" got to do with anything? Bad behaviour is not limited to any particular generation. I can name 20 other actors of all ages, generations and genders that were considered difficult.
I remember how in Santanas memoir, she said that Lea made Tim Conways granddaughter cry which wow, charming
@@idogonen3075 yes - that’s the point - the older ones will be the poster child for *their* generations, she is the poster child for hers. Anthony isn’t saying there were no badly behaved actors before her!
It depends on rather the producers care about her history or not. Some producers just see dollars signs and want the actress who will sell the most tickets.
Julie Benko should get the role. I never heard of her until today. I started watching some things of hers online. She is amazing! She's perfect for this role. And now reading all the wonderful word of mouth she is getting for her performance as Fanny. Julie Benko all the way!
I was underwhelmed with Beanie listening to the official promos. Vocally the role is not for her. I saw her at her best after coaching and vocal adjustments and she is not a power singer and she has breaks in her register.
She is zany and funny and can sing.
She will survive this and come back in another role in a few years.
She is still a young woman and a developing talent.
My heart goes out to Ms. Feldstein. No wonder she wants to leave early. As far as replacements I would love to see either actress in the role. Lea is especially appealing after seeing her sing those songs already. But Fran Dresser as the mom? Now we're talking.
I could totally see Fran, but my heart wants Rosie. She would absolutely cry at the end of the first night. Maybe every night. This little Jewish girl with a not so living father who grew up listening to the cast recording!
I admire Beanie’s courage to take on the role at all. And now that the dust has settled after the Tony Awards shutout and accolades for the understudy I can’t imagine what it must take to go on stage every night with an audience who is daring you not to disappoint them. She still has a long career ahead of her.
My schmaltz goes out to Fatso Feldstein.
Fatso's Father paid for the whole production 🦛
Has it ever been conclusively established that Lea wanted the role in the revival and/or actively campaigned for it? She had gotten married and had a baby. Maybe, just maybe ahe really didn't want to go back to pounding the boards eight shows a week given that. It would have been interesting if she did because she hand nailed the songs from Funny Girl that she had done on Glee. The scene in which, with Ion Gruffudd, she did You Are Woman, I Am Man, was damn near perfect. She was a mini-Streisand. In regard to all of the rips that Glee cast members have piled on Lea, maybe they need to remember that without her, Glee might not have made it through one season, let alone seven (althogh the show should have ended its run after five or, at best, six seasons). Whether they want to admit it or not, that little girl with the big, big voice was the main attraction thoughout most of the shows run.
I had no idea beanie is a nepotism kid. I think she was good in hello dolly but really isnt a good fit in this. when I took my mom to see the show, my mom is 90 and knows nothing about any of these people, she said "is her dad the producer? how did they pick her?" and I said dont be ridiculous.
Her brother is Jonah Hill and her best friend is Ben Platt. There's nepotism written all over her.
That said, I can find no record of her father, Richard Feldstein, being a producer on this show. I'm not sure where Mickey Jo has gotten that information from. Her dad isn't even a Broadway producer. He was Guns 'n Roses tour accountant.
Who the hell is Jonah Hill?
@@tlw1950 a famous actor? Off the top of my head...21 Jump Street and Wolf of Wall Street are 2 of his biggest movies.
@@carr0760 Check out NKSFB, LLC. Please note the LLC part. Anyone can become an LLC or 2 or 3 or 4 to set up a business front for investments. Just file the papers and pay the fee. Just so the money is reported properly to the IRS and you are set.
@@tlw1950 Beanie's brother. Ben Platt is her bff and his father is a big Broadway producer.
I really hope Julie gets to take over the role, I’ve done some COACHING with her and she is absolutely lovely. When I come to the city in august and September I want to see the show in hopes of Julie performing. Not a huge fan of Lea Michelle so I wouldn’t pay to see her in the show.
Holy cow is that shirt a BedKnobs and Broomsticks reference? Great movie! Also timely cuz Angela Landsberry just got her lifetime achievement award at the Tony’s.
I believe it is merch from the recent UK tour
@@ellencleary520 oh cool! I didn’t realize there was a stage show!
I'm not even in the UK, and I don't follow Broadway news very closely in the U.S., but somehow I stumbled upon your videos and they're just so fascinating to me. Love your personality and how you present theatre news and gossip. I've learned a lot from your videos, they're very fun to watch!
I would be shocked if Lea deigned to "lower" herself to taking on a role after someone else had originated it in the Broadway revival, especially when she was snubbed for the role in the first place. It's a big, big risk for her -- if she doesn't get absolutely stunning reviews, she's a) not "saved the show", b) risked her chances of being cast in anything on Broadway again, and c) kinda humiliated herself when she had no need to go into it in the first place. In the situation we currently have, having Julie take over the role is actually a safer choice.
Oh this wouldn’t be “lowering” herself. Lea’s career has stalled because of the allegations. This may he the only way she can see to redeem herself. Lea needs to do something before she ends up doing “revivals” of Spring Awakening and Glee reunions for the rest of her life.
@@jariah92005 You think she'd be invited back for Glee reunions? Or that any of the other cast would agree to go if she was?
@@jazzycat8917
You KNOW her segments would be filmed with the guest stars and the people that could stand her. And, honestly, money talks. I mean, how many press events and comic-cons did the Avengers cast have to do with Brie? Plus, Not everyone from Glee is doing so great. Opportunity is opportunity. 🤷🏽♂️
@@jariah92005 whats wrong w Brie Larson?
@@th3m00nstone
She caused a ton of drama off set and pretty much alienated herself from the rest of the cast because of statements she made about adult male fans. Ever wonder why its taking so long for her sequel? The studio needed time to recover and work on her public reception. You can actually see the cringe at certain taped events where some of the cast of the Avengers wanted nothing to do with her. She tries to joke and they’re all “uhhh ok then..” its painful.
This has nothing to do with that but I personally hated Captain Marvel. Specifically the way she treated Sam Jackson like the idiot sidekick. He FOUNDED these damn movies and he got no respect? Smh. Nope. Pass. And I hated how they chose this incarnation of Captain Marvel and not the actual first one. For someone who complained about not enough hero roles for Women of Color it seemed kind of hypocritical that she took this one. 🤷🏽♂️
Just because I haven't seen in mentioned yet, the FG revival director Michael Mayer was also the director of Spring Awakening. So extra injury for Lea Michele that she was passed over (at least in part) by a director who knew her well.
I personally hope they reward Julie Benko for successfully stepping up the way she has. I understand that the business side may demand or value other things, but I can't imagine they don't also view Lea Michele as a risk to the box office with her history of bad press. I would not want to support such behavior with my theatre dollars.
I really like your take on the situation. I was a fan of "Glee" but not a fan of Ms. Michele, and that was before the rumors. I didn't make the connection between Ms. Michele and Michael Mayer and that is a possible ouch. Looking back on it though Ms. Michele may be relieved she wasn't cast as the actual production itself got mediocre reviews. Even though I am not a fan of Ms. Michele I don't think replacing Ms. Feldstein would be in their best interest in part because an actor of Ms. Michele's status often doesn't do replacement work. More importantly in my mind, the role has bad press now, and Ms. Michele may end up repeating the sinking ship that is the show's current fate. However, if Ms. Michele was (actually) asked and took the role she'd either be really brave or really foolish. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE JULIE BENKO TAKE OVER.
Anybody who has worked with Lea Michele knows what they are dealing with and it's not worth it. At the very least she is a narcissist.
It wasn’t just racism, there are allegations of Lea being verbally and emotionally abusive to cast and crew members on all of her projects going as far back as Ragtime when she was a child. Unless she has a done some serious interpersonal growth , I have no interest in putting hard working theater professionals in the position of having to take her abuse. I don’t care if she’s a fit for the role or would sell tickets, she is a horrible person and doesn’t deserve to be onstage.
This doesn’t excuse Lea Michelle the adult but come on… let’s not pile on to the behavior of a CHILD
@@LifeOutsideTheBubble she was 22 when she STARTED On Glee and 28 when she left so…no not a child by any sense of the word. Lea is racist and horrible.
Let’s face it, does anyone in the universe think Babs acts less self entitled than Lea Michelle? But she always has and always will get away with it because of who she is. She painted Oprah’s microphone white! The only person I ever saw reduce Barbra to meekness was The Merm! Barbra was on sweet Judy Garland’s show, overwhelming her, when a voice arose from the stands, and the Merm belted her way into the stage, turning Barbra from beak to meek!!
this is based on nothing - if she was horrible why did people put up with her in Spring Awakening or indeed Glee or any of her other shows for years and years...? why is she best friends with plenty of people she's worked with ? what is your actual evidence for spouting this slanderous hate ?
@@nicholasmorgan8881 there’s this thing called the internet. And if you use it and do a bit of Googling you can find many quotes and interviews from Lea’s former co-workers saying she was a nightmare. Most of them are actually very fair about it. But when most of the people she’s worked with that have a public voice haven’t got much nice to say about her, it says a lot. It’s also been pointed out that a lot of co-stars and things she’s worked with that are still friends/friendly don’t have anything to do with her. Just have a look. The information is out there if you just look.
Thanks for the excellent update!! I was planning on seeing the show in september, but was hestitent given the reviews. With this update, I ran to the box office website! Can't wait to see the show I have always loved!! Love your videos!!
looking forward to your reaction on the new casting announcement
Julie Benko and Fran is who I’m throwing my hat in for, make it a really organically funny show with some character for the however many more months it runs, it’s definitely not a years situation imo
Agreed, but NYC is a mess. It's dangerous, dirty and expensive. Many people and businesses are leaving the city and tourists are not coming. Broadway can not survive under the current conditions.
You clearly don’t live in NYC
To be honest as tempting as my 15 year old self would adore the concept of Lea Michele getting to do the role, but now i would view this as a completely cynical choice (Even without the allegations that have emerged from both Glee and other cast-mates from other Broadway+TV shows she's been on) it would also just feel like bad will towards Beanie (It's one thing to leave a show early but to have the producers replace her with someone that online musical theatre fans have been shit stirring the two against each other is a whole other matter). Also promoting Julie to become the principal actress is the better option (Bonus the already has buzz) especially in the spirit of the show's narrative.
Bad will toward Beanie? She's Jonah Hill's sister. She deserves no good Will and screwed up this production. And there seems to be momentum to make beanies every wish come true with very little talent. No self awareness. Just driving the cringe trend like her brother, with all her followers thinking she is the hapless victim. And I wouldn't put it past her to have helped poison Lea's reputation in Hollywood circles since Lea is major completion for roles. Without the Twitter outrage, Lea could have been good as Monica. Ryan cast Darren Cross for the Versace season.
Manifesting Shoshana Bean as the official replacement once her contract ends with Mr Saturday Night cause PLEASE GOD/UNIVERSE PLEASE!
And being 15, you are not qualified to weigh in on curating Broadways casting. You and your 15 year old friends need to humble yourself, get off Twitter and start looking at your political future because Bernie is a lot more important than Beanie. Bernie Sanders, that is.
@@jeffreywillstewart this person is saying that their past 15 year old self loved Glee, not that they are in fact 15
@@ellieh6390 if you are of voting age I double down. Your future is on the brink. Beanie's isn't. Jonah will make sure she has a seat on Elon's rocket. You need to tuning into the Damage Report and canvassing for Bernie. All of the arts are just commerce now. The Elite doesn't buy art , they invest in NFT's. These Twitter wars are just to distract you from the theft of your future.
Lea Michele is too proud to take sloppy seconds. Julie Benko deserves the chance to get the starring role.
I am a huge Glee fan, and I would totally go see Funny Girl with Lea. Say what you will about her, but she is just perfect for the role of Fanny.
And a nightmare for the other actors who have been in the show since the beginning. How is that fair to them to have a notorious bitch helicopter in on them.
So brush everything aside🤷🏽♂️
So brush everything aside🤷🏽♂️
As a Barbra Streisand impersonator.
she's not even jewish
I personally wouldn’t go see a Lea Michelle led production if I had the chance to go. Just her behavior, while I’ve heard wasn’t racist but really messed up like you said saying she would sh*t in a black actress’ wig, allegedly treating a cast member poorly until she heard she was related to (I think) Barbra Streisand or some other well known broadway legend to her genuinely poor behavior to those around her. While people can change I feel like she’s trying to make a comeback and doesn’t really feel regretful/apologetic for her past behavior which wasn’t singular moments but an ongoing pattern.
I don’t think her performance at the Tony’s had anything to do with Funny Girl though since she (I think) originated her spring awakening role and they had the whole HBO doc, so probably apart of her comeback along with now possibly leading funny girl since the role is possibly available.
Also the fact that she was really associated with this role cause her character on glee was so tied to it is ironically funny to me in way 😅.
Her behaviour also dated all the way back to when she was 12 in Ragtime. Get understudy for that role came out with allegations too, including saying she was afraid to be in a room with her.
I feel like if no one put a stop to it then, she has reason to believe she doesn't need to stop it now.
@@carr0760 oh I didn’t realize she might’ve been like this from so early on and young. I did hear Ryan Murphy kinda “reenforced” her behavior on the set of glee.
No one has ever said they heard Lea M make the comment you refer to, it was only ever Samantha Ware saying someone had told her that, no-one has ever confirmed it or backed it up... yes some people, mostly extras have bad mouthed her, but she has worked with thousands of people over the years and plenty of the people she's worked with are her best friends - it would be good if you stopped spreading obviously fake rubbish.
@@nicholasmorgan8881 accusations were made by multiple people across decades of her career. Having friends doesn't disprove any of those allegations. Even bullies have friends. They're usually bullies too.
@@carr0760 the multiple accusations are mostly entirely unspecific or trivial and amount to nothing more than complaining that LM didn't treat them as well as the accuser wanted - with no context - I've spent far far more time than I should have reading up on the allegations and they don't really come to anything - you know sometimes the bullies are the people trashing someones reputation just because they don't like them
I love your take on things. I constantly have this “I didn’t know that” revelation when I listened to your vlogs. Trying to keep up 👏🙏👍😎
So glad to discover you and your videos! I would definitely enjoy seeing Lea as Rachel as Fanny :)
I really hope Julie gets it. There are so many talented people in the industry, most of whom will never get a chance anywhere close to this so why keep giving chances to divas like Lea?
What has Lea done lately??? She has a husband (unless he fled) and a kid so she should stay home and raise it hopefully better than she turned out.
Definitely wouldn’t see a Lea Funny Girl show. She can sing the songs but couldn’t pull off Fannie Bryce’s charm. The best acting Lea ever did was pretty much playing herself as Diva Rachel Berry. Also, love that the producers want to keep the role accurate and have Fanny Jewish.
Lea Michele is actually half Jewish. Her dad is a Sephardi Jew. While not technically Jewish because it's passed through the mother, a lot of people (myself included) consider paternal Jews valid.
But I still wouldn't want a Lea Michele funny girl, I think it should go to a rising star, not a well established diva
@@Melisboring oh that’s interesting I didn’t know that about Lea!
@@Melisboring She was raised Catholic though, with her dad even attending mass with them.
The reason for casting Jewish actresses is to have an authentic performance in a show with lots of Jewish idioms and references. Lea didn't grow up with any of that, so she couldn't provide that authentic performance. Her dad may have Jewish ancestry, but she isn't Jewish.
@@carr0760 Like I said, I wouldn't want her as fanny regardless, and while I understand where you're coming from, for me personally her not being technically Jewish isn't the reason I think she shouldn't take the part. Also Jewish culture is more than just the religion. Even if her dad went to mass with them it doesn't necessarily mean she didn't experience Jewish culture, especially growing up in NYC. I don't know how true this is, because Wikipedia isn't always accurate, but apparently she worked at her Dad's deli sometimes and at a bat mitzvah dress shop.
I'd still prefer if someone who raised Jewish played Fanny Brice but I just don't want to police someone else's Jewish identity, especially because there are PLENTY of other reasons for her not to get the part besides not being Jewish or Jewish enough
@@Melisboring As I understand it, she doesn't identify as Jewish herself, so I don't think we're policing anything. LoL
Julie Benko, Julie Benko, Julie Benko all the way. Saw her 2 weeks ago and she was absolutely fabulous. She has earned the role!
She tweeted she is on as Fanny again tonight. June 25th. Lucky Saturday night audience will get to hear her sing with Ramin Karimloo.
I have an extremely poor opinion of Lea Michelle in general and I think her "talent" is overhyped. I'd like to see Funny Girl before it closes, but NOT with her! I think the buzz over Julie Benko makes her the right choice to carry the show forward and might actually generate a longer run because of the praise she's gotten...
Agreed
omg okay i would RUN and i mean BOOK IT to go see LEA MICHELLE IN FUNNY GIRL. Full circle moment or what???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF Lea was to be cast as Fanny in Funny Girl I will be there to see that show. I love her in Glee and I love you music too.
Ready to go in August or thereafter on a Thursday to see Julie!
Thank you for your timely news! Side note: I LOVE your shirt.
I just wonder what the optics of casting Lea Michele- it's not just that she has issues with being racist, but there have been plenty of confirmed reports that she's a terror- a bully, emotionally and occasionally physically abusive to people around her. She's not a team player and has a sense of entitlement that makes her impossible to work with... is this really someone that should be propped up to lead a Broadway show? If this were man who was had a recorded history of being abusive in every single job they've ever had- would we not want to side line him and not reward him by casting him to lead a Broadway show? The fact that Lea is extremely talented is beyond dispute BUT her off-stage behavior shouldn't be swept under the rug in any way.
I always found her voice skilled but boring...
I've never liked her as I found her acting and singing in Glee (what little I saw of it) annoying but I had no idea she is said to be an actually horrible person.
Are you being serious? Don’t you think everyone deserves a second chance?. That was years ago. I believe she has grown into a far much better person. Nobody is perfect. I’m sure you’ve also done terrible stuff and you wouldn’t love it if it haunted you for the rest of your life. Yes, she was a bully but everyone deserves a second chance
@@antonellamR2D2 I’m sorry who are you?
I love all these Twitter rumors. Spreading the hate. I guess Lea was a perfect target for a perfect shit storm. An extremely driven youth gains success at the same time as parents cave and give their kids cell phones. Then she is cast in a tv show being paid twice as much as the other good singers ( anyone running To get Chris Coffers or Amber Riley's solo stuff? ) . Then she loses her lover / costar in a very public way. And we don't know how they treated her. The internet needs no verification to have power. Just ask Joe Rogan.
And as always Mickey great inside and great video.
Hi Mickey Jo, I love your reviews, they are so well presented.
Dude, your channel is going to friggin blow-up! Your content is super good and this is coming from someone who knows NOTHING about stage/broadway/musicals...etc. And you make it so interested!
Besides the allegations of her being a horrible person, what I can't stand is her schtick. Everytime she open her mouth to sing it feels like "ooooh look, I'm SINGING! Aren't I great? I'm as good as Barbra, I know." It's an ego showcase rather than an emotional interpretation. So no, I would not see her.
I only watched the first season of "Glee" religiously and then I checked out on all the cast members, and I always thought of her that way too; there was something smug and calculated and inauthentic when she performed (in fact, she was worst when she tried to be "heartfelt") When people started talking about her in relation to Funny Girl I did look up some performances of hers I'd missed, and there ARE times when she drops that "I'm such a talented princess" thing and lets go. So she CAN do it, I THINK; but her problem is attitude, not talent.
Broadway steered clear for decades for one reason. The original show created The Greatest Star. ⭐
I think it's obvious that Lea Michelle could sing the crap out of this show, but I don't know how well she'd do at being funny and charming during the scenes between the musical numbers.
I also think it's more likely that her treatment of her Glee costars was more ego motivated than racially motivated. If she does get the part it's probably going to be a rough ride for the rest of the cast
Agreed. Not sure what her acting abilities to know if she can plan that role.
There is a delicate mix of self confidence and ‘oh god please like me’ in Fanny that I can see Lea embodying well, but whether she can make the character likeable is another story.
As for her bts behaviour: yeah I think it’s well known that she was/is not great to work with. People who treat coworkers like shit shouldn’t get opportunities until they commit to changing their behaviour. Of course, maybe she’s better now. We don’t know her, so can only go by incidents from almost a decade ago.
MAYBE...but Lea was BORN for the role.....
Or it could be so much rougher for her.
Imagine joining a cast who now has this horrible expectation from you, they could gang up on her.
every little slip could wind up to social media
she is a emmy and golden globe nominated actress as a lead in a comedy.
I saw Julie and she was absolutely incredible. Her vocals were phenomenal and she embodied the role perfectly
LOVE the Bedknobs and Broomsticks shirt!!! That was one of my favorite movies as a kid!
Haven't watched the video yet, but i LOVE your Bedknobs & Broomsticks t-shirt :)
Oh the irony! Personally I think that Lea would be great as Fanny Brice. I would definitely see it. She does definitely need to be held accountable for her racist actions in the past through.
You my friend are Fabulous! I just discovered you and I am in love!!! Enjoyed this thoroughly
funny girl tony situation and Cinderella Olivier situation is very weirdly the same and the same energy
I saw everyone getting mad about the Lea Michele news but I think objectively she would do a great job, regardless of what I think about her person
I like your thoughtfulness on this. I have this subjective personal taste issue where her voice feels too light for most of what she sings, she feels more soprano and airy when I want something more earthy. But as Mickey Jo puts it even with my reservations she can "sing the score more confidently" than Ms. Feldstein.
No one thinks she doesn't have the talent to do the role, thats not the point. The issue is whether or not thats more important than her heinous behaviour and reputation for being awful to work with.
@@jazzycat8917 I've never said that people got mad because she's not good enough for the part
@@jazzycat8917 I see your point but I am not convinced she has the "right" talent for the role. I've never been a huge fan of her voice (yes she can sing but...) and I find her acting somewhat lacking in warmth and humoir. So in my opinion taking it on would be a huge gamble. The reputation is a huge problem as you point out and perhaps the biggest stumbling block
I think I'd prefer to see Julie Benko in the role. I have no doubt that Leah Michele would be great in the role, but I tend to think it would always be an echo of Barbra - a very good one, but if the choice were up to me, I'd prefer to see a fresh take on the role rather than an echo. And the story of understudy steps up to the lead is a compelling sales pitch for me. In times like these I want to believe that talent and dependability is rewarded. That story makes the ticket prices seem more justifiable. I wouldn't simply be seeing Funny Girl, I'd also be seeing the story of Julie Benko's hard work paying off. And frankly that is what Funny Girl is about, the girl in the back row stepping up to the front. The casting of Julie in the lead role would embody the message of the show itself.
Well said.
When I saw this gossip my gut reaction was that Lea Michele wouldn't want to take the role. That's mostly due to the amount of time needed as a lead on Broadway and her current personal circumstances having recently become a mother. She has basically already won the public perception that she *should* have been cast. If she takes it she will no doubt be better received by audiences than Beanie, but all she can do is meet expectations, she can't exceed them, because expectation is so high. And she would cement herself as the second choice.
But really I don't think she will want to be doing 8 shows a week at this time.
It's possible the producers could go down the path of having a named Alternate with fixed show days, which is becoming more popular. Hamilton is probably the biggest show to do this, but I know plenty of people who wanted to see John Owen-Jones as the Alternate for Valjean in the Les Mis special concert shows and booked tickets for his performance days.
If they did have the Alternate option then Lea could do some of the shows and Julie could be the Alternate. This would raise her profile and allow the show to keep that tourist draw that I think it needs at this point in it's run. Plus it's a big part to sing every day and this might help both actresses voices a bit.
It seems you correctly predicted what the producers would do. I believe Julie will be doing Thursdays
@@jacquelinecallejas1390 oh, I hadn't seen that Julie would be getting an alternate night. That's great for her, and smart for the show and Lea. Hopefully more shows, especially the big singing heaving shows will go in this direction in future. It helps performers and that means a higher quality for the audience. And it is a great step forward in moving the understudies into the spot light more.
As always, you make some very valid points! Love your view:)
I already had no interest in seeing Funny Girl because underneath it all I think it is a problematic musical. Having said all that if it stays open, I think it should be Benko. I've been following her career since she was a swing in the first national tour of spring awakening and she truly is a star who has just needed her big break, and this should be it. If they cast Lea I will 1,000% not be seeing it lol
Dear God you know your stuff and can flawlessly deliver it.
He didn’t just “hit” her. He put her his wife in the hospital multiple times, cost her jobs, and made her nearly lose an eye. Idk how they haven’t just canceled that movie yet
This is a very insightfull dissection of the situation
I would definitely travel to see Lea. I thought not casting her in the beginning was a mistake. She is amazing live, she's funny and an excellent actress. I think we need to move on from the social media persecution. I do not think Lea is a racist. We have to remember all of the other productions Lea has had with other African American actors like the TV show The Mayor and Same Time Next Christmas both if which never garnered any negative comments from the cast about racism. With the diverse culture of the theater that Lea was raised in I think the media attack was simply absurd.
It’s official. Lea is replacing beanie as Fanny starting September 6th 💫💫
I would like to see Barbra Streisand take over the role once Beanie leaves. She's really the only one who can pull off this role. In all seriousness, while I do believe that Lea Michele was the rightful heir(ess) to take on the the role of Fanny and proved that she had the vocal chops to do so, I think it would be a bad career move for her to do so. The reason is that -- the Beanie debacle aside -- it sounds like the overall direction of this show was mishandled on every level and that's why it was shut out at the Tony's, except for the guy who played Eddie Ryan who I understand was the real showstopper. The fact that they miscast not only the main role but also Jane Lynch as Fanny's mother shows their seriously poor judgment. Case closed.
I am SO SICK of hearing about Ms. Michelle. All she would offer as "Fanny Brice" is an over-the top, overheated imitation of Barbra Streisand-- and her disgusting egomania. That is all Michelle offered on "GLEE" via the Funny Girl storyline-- and YES, she DID try to get Funny Girl for herself via GLEE and Ryan Murphy. Miss Michelle is no "innocent bystander" in this situation, by any stretch of imagination. All Ms. Michelle deserves his more rebuke and recriminations. Beanie Feldstein was absent when I saw the show. Julie Benko was quite marvelous, and well-received. By rights, the role should go to Julie Benko, who deserves her "star turn" and "star billing."
I ADORE your shirt!! :)
Lea Michele also appeared at the MCC Miscast fundraiser a month or so ago, singing "Gliding" from Ragtime. The way she introduced the song really seemed to me like, "Hey, remember I was on Broadway? Yes, I'm a Broadway person, not just a TV person. Just in case you'd forgotten."
And of the people you listed, I think that Shoshana Bean would be a much more likely choice than Jessie Mueller, since they do seem to be emphasizing casting a Jewish actress for the role. (I remember a few bits of displeasure from the Jewish press about Jessie Mueller playing Carole King, but no one seemed to really care too much, especially since Carole King is still alive and approved. But Fanny Brice would be a different story.)
Yes! I feel like she's always doing that, "Hey look at me" rather than just performing the hell out of the material and letting that speak for ifself.
@@mrchrisliddell Yeah -- I really wish that we could see Audra McDonald from this camera angle, because the way that Lea talks about her here is just kind of weird, and the sort of thing where you'd think they'd show a reaction shot if there was a good one to show. The handful of times we can see the other performers, they don't look too impressed. (And I'm really curious what Myles Frost and Raul Esparza were discussing right at the beginning.) ruclips.net/video/akm0khOcGGU/видео.html
Actually, now that I look at the videos some more, I don't think Audra was on the stage for most of the time -- she came on stage for her (incredible) duet with Kelli O'Hara, but she wasn't sitting there the rest of the time like the other performers. I'm not sure why. Covid concerns, maybe? Shoshana Bean was wearing a mask except when she was singing, but no one else was.
I think she will be great in the role just I would be more excited if she was actually a nice person.
She’s nice. Once talk like this starts everyone piles on and the story of her not being nice takes on a life of its own.
@@jjk-bn9xw whilst I agree gossip can grow legs, I don’t think we can ignore the multiple people who have come forward saying she didn’t treat them right. Most noticeable for me was that it was people from all parts of her life, not just Glee. People who met her during her early Spring Awakening Days and even when she was a child in Les Mis talking about her bad attitude (though I think less of the comments from Les Mis because she was like 10)
@@emilia123zz I hear ya 🤷♂️
love the shirt!
IF She is actually in consideration, her tony awards performance could’ve been her dipping her toe back in broadway and seeing what the reception is
Couldn't they have the beast of both worlds and have Lea do 7 shows and Julie could do the weekday matinee
or something and then ease into the role permanently after Lea leaves?
That’s not how the real world works. Go check the Equity rules for understudies.
@@tananario um, ask Bette Midler who never worked all 8 shows per week in Hello Dolly!
What may happen before Beanie leaves is Julie doing 2 shows as alternate, with Beanie doing 6. Could be 5/3. Word has it that was in negotiation after Beanie took of the weekend and 2 matinees (not the planned absence) and before Covid. Word has it, she realized the show was too much for her overall, thus the early departure. I see her leaving mid-July, but with some days off that might help her fulfill the September date as announced. I don't see that though, particularly with all this replacement talk.
@@tananario this is what ended up happening!
This is an instresting discussion about funny girl and who will take over from Bernie. So many questions and so many good ideas for it to go down but both seem to have positive and negatives. Funny girl aside a moment love your bedknobs and broomsticks t-shirt
Just started watching your videos. Great content! Have you ever done a review of Wicked? I'd love to hear your take on it.
I always thought the fact that Lea’s character became Fanny in the pretend revival meant that Lea herself would never be considered seriously for the role.
Rachel Bloom, possibly a bit over the ideal age for the role, but she would do an excellent job. If they wanted to go a different direction, Ariana deBose - but she should get the chance to open a show built around her now that her name recognition has increased so much.
Omg RACHEL BLOOM would be BRILLIANT
I don't think Ariana has the voice. She seems lovely, but she's tonally inconsistent, her head/mix is very weak, and her belting range is a bit limited.
Rachel Bloom is the same age as Lea Michelle
Anna Kendrick needs to take this role, it's hers
I would give money hand over FIST for Rachel Bloom
I'm putting my money on Fran Dresher as Fanny's mother before betting it on Lea Michele being cast as Fanny...
Mainly because Lea hasn't done any long-term stagework since RHS in 2010, so I am a teeny bit skeptical that she can bend it into an eight (or six) shows per week regiment for an extended period of time.
Lea was never in Rocky Horror Show
Jackie Hoffman would be a hoot also.
OMG the B&B T-shirt!!! 😍
You're wearing a Bedknobs and Broomsticks shirt and I cannot. I have never commented. But comment I must. Because OMG.
I don't want someone playing the part who just wants to copy Barbara. The whole point is that fanny is one of a kind. I don't believe that Leah Michelle would attempt be anything but a carbon copy of what's come before.
I also wouldn't wish working with her on my worst enemy. She doesn't deserve an ego boost as big as this role
I’d rather see a carbon copy of Barbra’s Ganny even if played by a drag queen, than the travesty Beanie Feldstein brought to the role. She’s a loser in the role and can’t sing.
Fanny not Ganny of course!
I read somewhere that Barbra Streisand didn't want Lea to reprise the role. Probably for that very reason.
When I saw Michele preform Don't Rain on My Parade on Glee, I thought she'd be perfect for a Funny Girl revival. You gotta have that voice. However after reading the reviews on the revival it seemed pretty clear the show itself has its own problems. They seemed to think you needed a super strong lead (think Streisand) to make you overlook the show's weaknesses. I hope Michele doesn't do the show. They didn't ask her to do it in the first place. She doesn't need it.
There’s no way Feldstein will stay until September. She will duck out much sooner. The humiliation is too much. She never should have been cast at all.
I don’t think she was racist as much as an equal opportunity bully. I remember one of her black costars who was also treated badly said she didn’t believe Lea was racist cos she was shitty to everyone
Lea Michele was born to play Fanny Brice. Have you heard her sing don’t rain on my parade?
I would definitely go see Lea. I’m seeing it next month. I’m praying I see the understudy.
Beanie did a fine job, I saw it last weekend.
Just got to shout out what I assume is a Bedknobs and Broomsticks shirt 🤗
I really don't think there's anything in it for Lea Michele to take this part. Why should she chase it and risk looking desperate, when everybody already says she would have been the superior casting choice in the first place? How much better would her PR really get, even if she did knock it out of the park? It would be better for her to return to Broadway in a different show and let Julie Benko have the win she's earned. Then, all she has to do is say that she loves the show but wanted to do something different creatively, and she's no longer getting pointlessly pit against another actress.
She took it. She thinks she's Barbra Streisand.....
I saw Julie and when I tell you it didn't feel like an understudy was on. The crowd seemed to be there for her and was very receptive to her performance. I would gladly go back if she gets principled. However lea Michele doesn't get to be rewarded for posting a publicist written apology and not doing anything to show genuine remorse and change. The pandemic worked in her favor as she became swept under the rug and was able to go do the marriage and baby thing. It's no secret that people do not like her in the industry and she is talented but talent will only get you so far when you are awful. I think it would be a huge slap in the face to bring her on after everything especially because julie is so loved already and people want to see her succeed on her own and not as the saving grace (she also was an understudy for wendla for SA as was amazing). Understudies and swings and alternatives are amazing and they deserve all the praise but the praise being "they saved my ass when I couldn't do my job" is quite undermining because they are just doing their own job.
You mentioning lady gaga... someone needs to write a lady gaga jukebox musical, just saying
JULLIE! JULIE! JULIE! ONLY JULIE!..........Ms. Michele's time has past for that role.
I also can’t imagine Lea Michele replacing either. Because let me tell you something, a great Fanny could certainly make the show *work*, but unfortunately NOBODY is going to make this a great and lasting production. I think Julie Benko should take over for like six months and then they ought to let the thing close.
Lea Michele shouldn't even be handing out flyers for Funny Girl.
your skin looks amazing! wow.
Sad that Cristina Bianco didn't get a look in, after her hugely successful run and Fanny in Paris last year.
If they have any sense at all, Julie Benko IS Fanny Brice. She looks like her, has a wonderful voice and demeanor and has used Fanny as her model for the character - not Barbra Streisand. Lea Michelle does Barbra Streisand doing Fanny Brice. For the record, I never heard of Lea until FG - Beanie either. She is a Streisand wanna be and any avoidance of comparisons made between Beanie and Lea would be tossed aside. That is what the critics are going to be looking at and she will be found lacking. I think the talk about Lea is a circle jerk based on Lea's old wishes. I'm guessing Beanie leaves in July. Part of the reason Julie had to take over was Beanie's inability to perform for whatever reason. The guess is she cannot handle the schedule. Those who have seen her after her return is her voice is ragged and she's clinging to the soprano and not doing much belting.
One other note a friend of mine commented on - another critic has suggested whenever a new cast came out for Broadway, it somehow didn't happen. Barbra Streisand has a way of making things she doesn't like disappear. The suggestion being Barbra keeping her hand in. She hand-picked Ramin to play Nicky back in 2019. Invited him personally to sing with her at a benefit. 3 weeks later he was asked to do FG in a production scheduled for that year, which had to be scrapped. Now he's in this production. The weekend Beany went absent (not related to the pre-scheduled event) was when Barbra was in town seeing shows. Related? Maybe. I don't believe in coincidences. Whether Streisand would have gone to the show itself is doubtful, but I would bet money, she had someone there. Julie and Ramin are said to have great chemistry, in addition, Julie taking the bull by the horns and nailing the show overall. I suspect she sees the show as a legacy of sorts - not sure how the Beanie thing got past her - but Beanie's dad is very influential and might have been worth seeing if Beanie would work out. Since she didn't, I cannot see Streisand, if this scenario is correct, having Lea Michelle playing Fanny. JMO.
There's no way Beanie is going to make it till the end of September if she is having vocal problems now. Personally I think Lea Michele would be a disaster. It would be recycling old stuff from Glee.
Mayer and the producers have been clueless about so much in this show that I don't expect them to do the smart thing ( Julie Benko). They will probably choose Lea Michele unless they decide to close the show. And honestly at this point the whole thing collapsing and closing at the end of July wouldn't surprise me.
I have sympathy for Beanie because it can't be easy doing this role after Covid. We don't know if she is even really fully recovered. The producers and a physician need to sit down together with her and decide what if anything is realistic and do whatever needs to be done for the health of Beanie and the good of rhe company. It's just cruel to push her to continue when she is obviously overwhelmed. There are a lot of issues here that go beyond Beanie and I hope people follow up instead of dusting their hands and saying that's over and blaming her. It never should have gotten to this point.
@@maryluke8611 A wise comment as always. I don't see the show closing, however, it's still doing well at the box office - over $1 million a week with or without her.
Streisand has nothing to do with this production. If she did, her name would be listed as a producer. Streisand is not worried about a Funny Girl revival. Her performance in film is Funny Girl. It’s the only reason we remember the show at all.
@@ukuleleeddie1953 I was only repeating something a friend mentioned about some critic's opinion. Just a bit of gossip. Streisand can be involved without being a producer by just making a phone call BTW. never said she was an investor. Ramin's presence is likely a direct bit of Streisand involvement. Also, check out what an LLC is - I explained it here, but do your own research. People can invest using LLC corporate status so their names aren't mentioned. It's very common in business, especially when wanting to keep one's name out of it - which is the point.
Agreed. If Streisand wanted Lea to reprise her iconic role Lea would have had the role. The fact that she didn't tells me Barbra didn't want anyone that would mimic or copy her interpretation of Fanny.
I just can't believe how many Glee and Rachel Berry fans want to block out the sun with a finger cheering her back on Broadway with Funny Girl no matter how rough it would be on the victims and the industry to see her walk big in the center of a revival just because she looks like and gives impressions of Barbra.
I think Harvey should have just played Fanny 😂 he would have honestly down great
I think Lea could be a good fit for the show and I think its time she gets a shot. People can change and I think it would help her work through some things. Fanny is an extremely formative role, I know people who have played it regionally and it helped them work through some of their divaness. Fanny could be exactly what Lea Michelle needs to wise up..
I totally agree. She is talented and I think she would be great. I’d love to see her crush it. And it would be great press for the show which could help all those working on it.
I'm okay with great singers being divas. It's a show business tradition.
@@jeffreywillstewart she is unprofessional a bully and racist. Notoriously hard to work with and generally mean. Her behaviour is unacceptable.
@@innerdumbasssystem Having a diva attitude doesn't make you a bully or a racist. Just go back to twitter.
@@anis.9219 Excusing bad behaviour and bullying because she's a "Diva" makes you the problem
About ten years ago, Lauren Ambrose was cast in a revival production that was mounted and scheduled at the Ahmanson Theater in LA. We had tickets! I was so excited to see it and then, like a light switch, the entire production was shut down. Canceled. No explanation. Weird. - - Anyway, I’m sad to hear this production didn’t seem to be appropriately cast. Such enormous anticipation from the fans. Really unfortunate. - - BTW , where did you get that tee shirt!?! I want one. I just googled and couldn’t find it. Would love one. Thx.
Oh I have so many thoughts. Firstly I think it’s relevant that while the initial accusation against Lea used the word “microagression” most of the accusations have seemed more to do with how she treats people as a whole, and less to do with race. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out the Lea was racist but when she got “cancelled” the vibe I got was more that she is just a diva and a narcissist. Not that that’s better or worse, but it’s different. I’m seeing the show later this month and am excited to see beanie (or Julie who I am also very okay with seeing). I love beanie and she is a talented actor and singer who comes from a theatre background. It seems she’s been miscast, but I’ll decide for myself after seeing her. I also think (like you mentioned) people need to realize there are options other than Lea and Julie. These are the most obvious choices but it could be anyone. While I am pretty against Lea being cast due to her actions, 3-5 years ago I would’ve been screaming and freaking out, and some part of me selfishly still wants to see her do it.
Also glad you mentioned the merrily film. I’m so upset that Blake Jenner is involved. I love Ben and beanie and don’t think there is any real reason they wouldn’t kill these parts. But casting an abuser as the lead opposite them makes me feel so icky. Pretty sure he was cast before he was accused (not sure about the timeline) but it is early in the process and they could probably replace him if they really cared to. But they don’t and by the time the film comes out many will likely not remember that he is an abuser.
Beanie does not come from a theater background. She's Hollywood all the way, with Daddy's wind at hers and Jonah's back. Regarding Merrily - Beanie can't sing Jule Styne, who is a wonderful composer, but Sondheim is a whole other story. Both he and ALW both seem to want to challenge their singers to the max.
@@Makeji I am aware of her family’s Hollywood background but she went to a performing arts high school and stagedoor manor. She’s been doing theatre most of her life and has been on broadway before (and was quite good). That’s more what I meant by theatre background. Also, check out the video of her and ben platt singing it takes two for Sondheim’s 90th. Perhaps she isn’t right for Fanny but she definitely has a good voice
@@Daniel-ed9gn She has very pretty soprano, but with little range beyond that. Her Who Are You Now is lovely until she has to do the crescendo and cannot match Ramin. That's where her lack of training (and natural instrument) fails - she can sing, but she's not a singer - it isn't natural to her. She's too careful because she's unsure and that's the problem. The other complaints about her have to do with her acting skills, whatever her training, in that she never matures during a show which covers roughly 12 years of her life. Her comedy also tends to be more schtick than organic to the character. Film has been her life experience acting and it's very different.
Ima say this; I used to be a BIG Lea Michele fan, being quite a hardcore musical theatre kid in a school where we didn't even have much of a theatre department. For a good while, I thought the diva rumours were, if not complete media bs, exaggerated. But the more cast members have been open about her behaviour, the more I've gone off her. At this point, I doubt she's a good person and while she is incredibly talented, I can honestly say I don't fully know who her casting would attract other than diehard detractors who still stick by her. I feel like Fanny Brice as a character has to be likeable and Lea Michele has just got too much of a perception as a stuck up bitch to be that much of a draw. People will see it, people will probably say she did a good job. But not many people will buy tickets for Lea Michele. I'm rooting for the understudy honestly. Also this industry should 100% have awards for understudies btw.
Lea Michele is an extraordinary talent. Check out Miscast 2022 and her version of Gliding from Ragtime. It is sublime. Fingers crossed she gets this chance to play Fanny Brice on Broadway. If not her then Lady Gaga please!
I feel like it’s similar to Waitress in the fact that Stephanie Torns was raved about as the understudy and everybody loved her. Everytime a Jenna would leave, all the fans would be begging for her to take on the role. However, they never did! They kept casting “bigger names” but she would sometimes take over for the gaps in between. So maybe Julie will take over in between the time beanie leaves and the next fanny begins.