Everyone blaming Lea for not including Julie on the recording or for the mistreatment to Beanie is funny to me. If someone is responsible is not her but the directors and all the crew in charge of the show. She’s just doing her work. Lea was phenomenal by the way :)
They don't know and don't bother to know when Julie was soloing it in August she delivered the worst box office lol..😅 people just did not like her either
People did love Julie. I deliberately went when Beanie attended a wedding. There were fifty people waiting for her outside the stage door screaming and applauding. Sadly I think people saved their money to see Lea once it was announced
I was lucky to see FG with Beanie, Julie and Lea and I can tell you Lea smashes it, not only with her vocals but also her acting and chemistry with Ramin on stage, which is incredible and very believable. I love the cast recording but it’s way better live, I felt some moments that were really emotional didn’t translate as such in the album. My faves are Who are you now reprise (that song live with Lea and Ramin is mind blowing) and the music that makes me dance. But honestly, I love the whole album.
agreed...been lucky/blessed to see many great performances and original casts on broadway and could not take my eyes off Lea (normally I'd also check out the other cast members), she was so electrifying...vocally amazing, hilarious, and then heartbreaking in the end. Loved Beanie in Hello Dolly! but can't imagine her being able to sing this or bring the same level of chemistry with Ramin (the funny probably).
It's one of the best performances I've ever seen, and I've seen A LOT. I was able to get third row seats for my birthday and right after I left (well, after I met Lea at the stage door) I went home and bought front row seats for two more performances.
lol I just saw it from the third row on Saturday, truly one of the best (in my top two) performances I have seen in my 66 years and thousands of shows.
I experienced Lea Michele in FUNNY GIRL on Wednesday night and she was pure electricity! She had me before she even uttered, "Hello, Gorgeous!" (I swear, I started the applause). One of the most memorable performances I've seen on Broadway, and that's over 40 years of theater going! And I've seen Patti Lupone in ANYTHING GOES, GYPSY and COMPANY, Bernadette Peters in SONG AND DANCE and INTO THE WOODS, Betty Buckley in SUNSET BOULEVARD, Cynthia Erivo in THE COLORED PURPLE and Bette Midler in HELLO, DOLLY!! She is greatest star on Broadway right now!
"Don't you hate it when the entire neighborhood sings a production number about how unattractive you are?!?" Ha!!! Best reaction EVER! 6:25 Another great video MickeyJo!
Oh this was THE most delightful time I’ve had watching a RUclips video in a long while, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do more cast recording reactions, we need it!
Live in New York City and watch your videos often. You are so funny and someone needs to hire you for a major publication because you always tell it like it is. Thank you for that. Saw her about a month ago and I'm telling you as an actor, a Broadway actor at that, she is the exact same on stage if not better than she is in that recording how thrilling it is to see a funny girl that we all have dreamed of. Thank you for your videos, and I love seeing you this way and your true fun loving like no one's watching self keep it going Mickey Joe. Love you
I love the album. I’d love to see Lea get some Tony respect. Sad that there are not awards for replacements. If she opened the production she would have received Best Actress in a Musical. Also have mad respect for the incredible Julie Benko. But no one can argue, Lea saved the show. Period.
Having seen Beanie and Julie in Funny Girl and having seen Leah in other shows on Broadway, I feel content with this OBC (kinda) starring Leah. People too often forget that Broadway is a business. Unfortunately, Beaniie's voice was unable to give the songs the character and strength that the score needs.. While Julie was amazing in the role--I believed her completely as Fanny Brice and her singing could make you laugh or break your heart. Sadly, she's not a well-known name that could sell cast albums. Ignoring Leah's history of horrible behavior, she has the experience and the vocal chops to sell the cast album. Leah will make the producers money. I also enjoy that the flushed out Nicky Arnstein's role giving his some of the originally cut songs.
I saw this show with Lea last month; one of my all time favorite theatre going experiences. It's a stellar cast recording and a great representation of the show (the only thing that I think gets a little misrepresented is "Temporary Arrangement"; between the music shift and Ramin dancing with the ensemble, it definitely feels a bit more odd when it's placed within the context of the full show). I do seem to remember Lea optioning up in "People" when I saw it? Though I definitely might be misremembering.
I've been watching your videos for a while but this is the first Cast Recording reaction video and your enthusiasm was absolutely delightful to watch. You had be burst into laughter on multiple occasions. Thank you for sharing your joy. It brightened my day!
Thank you for this fantastic review, you are so entertaining to watch. I discovered your channel in April after I saw previews of FG with Beanie Feldstein and was looking to see what people/reviewers had to say about her performance. Keep up the great work!!!
The fact that they did a cast recording after dropping Beanie has to sting a bit, but also I can see the show wanting to get their profit back and it worked like this was 100% financial and you can't blame them and with the official cast recording they'll definitely be making more money back.
Like I've said before it is show BUSINESS. You have to give people the product they want. I wanted and got a superior vocalist who can sing the songs as written at a level that few can deliver. Hence I am happy I paid the money and saw Lea. I would have been so disappointed if I'd gone into Beanie with the same expectations.
@@jacquelinecallejas1390 sadly, I don’t have the money, but I’ve been listening to clips of both of them and thank the good Lord in heaven, that they went with Lee instead of Feldstein, because Lee can deliver and Feldstein can’t.
I love watching your videos and for all the vlogging you've done w/ regards to Funny Girl I'm shocked that the producers have not sent you an invite to NY and the show.
Saw Glady's appearance on Masked Singer and all I could think of was She should have won AND the world would be heavenly if Gladys and Patty Labelle went on tour together. They both still got it and at a level of talent rarely seen on this earth.
Enjoyed your witty analysis. "You Are Woman" is my fave on the soundtrack... fun and bouncy. But just an amazing soundtrack and hoping for a DVD of this cast. Thanks!
Thank you for reviewing this with no monetary benefit to you per copyright restrictions. You gave us much more than than the video time what with editing and such.
I've had to watch the bootlegs, and I have to say Lea is spectacular. Watching the finale makes much more sense than you get from the cast album. Just wonderful!
The Dream Ballet is just the beginning of the show all over again where we leave Fanny at the start of the show and she’s looking back on her characters in life
Halfway through the first act "Oh yeah, there's an ensemble. Maybe we ought to truck them out for a number..." brother, that's exactly how it feels to be ensemble in this show. Some of us could actually go out to pick up food during act 2 on matinee days and make it back for bows.
BTW you are such a great personality and reviewer….I am so thankful I came across your channel…having fun watching your earlier videos and enjoying them so!
Amber Ardolino who plays Vera posted some TikTok content of the behind the scenes in the recording studio and they showcase the recording of the tap sequences.
Tony awards need to change their eligibility rules. Lea is ✨✨ in this role. I've listened to just the overture of the cast album far too many times already, the instrumental is stunning 😂
Watching your videos this rainy afternoon. I really appreciate the addition of the vlog videos, they are super fun! I love the score to Funny Girl - I think it's much better than most people give it credit for, very memorable songs. Love watching Mickey's reactions! And he sings along too, which is super fun! I love these reaction videos and am glad he will do more of them! (: (: (:
I grew up listening to Barbra, and my mom played that album until it was unplayable. I had it memorized since I was 5 years old. So it's a little hard to get used to someone else, but Lea did a great job. I heard a little of Beanie on RUclips, and I thought she was better than expected. It's a tough role. Jule Styne once said he wrote the music for Barbra even before she was cast so this was always a tough musical to revive.
@@maryluke8611 I actually really like what the choreographer did to the revival with Sean Hayes, the whole show is online, if you want to check it out.
did your recording not have the 2 bonus tracks? Read the Room & I'm the Greatest Star (Reprise)? Was really interested in what you thought of them and where you thought they would have fit in the show. great dancing. enjoyed your analysis.
This is the first video of yours I've ever seen and I don't think I've laughed so hard and learned so much in one sitting. If you ever need to win a bet to turn a non-singer into a singer, I offer to be the experiment!
I have a chest infection and I really didn't need that coughing fit when you had *Courtney Stapleton* do the dream ballet omg! Amazing but it hurt hahah
Watched this with the second half of the football in the background. This was much more entertaining. I'm not surprised they have released the cast recording with Lea and Tovah. Neither Beanie or Jane were going to have a wide appeal in terms of people getting a cast recording. However Lea, Ramin and Tovah are big enough names to interest fans beyond Funny Girl, and just in time for Christmas! Plus there seems to be a lot of tap on the soundtrack, which is more justified when it's performed by a Tony nominee.
There was another album produced most recently; the Sheridan Smith London revival. Would love to hear your thoughts on that on its own, plus compared to this new album!
This is the first time I’ve seen your you tube video. Great job and I watched Glee and loved it. I knew Leah Michelle would be phenomenal and she didn’t let me down.
7:13 she was Maria… Also, I was the Ziegfeld Tenor in my first ever musical. His Love Makes You Beautiful (while yes, misogynistic) is such a gorgeous & hilarious number.
Who Are You Now/Reprise is the best song on the album. Ramin was being a gentleman throughout - glad he got his own songs. Love your reviews. BTW, for the others here - Beanie's entire performance was lacking and the show was losing money. No money for a cast album. Also, Julie is the standby. Would be very unusual for her to do a track.
It would be unusual, but everything about this revival, even the existence of this recording, is unusual. So why not one more bit of unusual and toss her a track?
@@christophersmith3341 Well, they didn't, so there you go. I know Julie has a big fan base, but she's basically hanging on with capacity and revenue. The Thursday shows are discounted. During her August stint, she barely kept with the below-average capacity Beanie was getting in July (70-80%), so the decision was likely made based on financial return. There was no way she was going to get the lead - being the alternate was a nice deal for her. Her next gig will likely be an original casting based on her work in FG, but this just isn't her show.
@@Makeji I'm not sure what any of this means, or how it relates to either my response to you or your original post. "Well, they didnt'." Yeah, we know. That's why we've commented. She was very important to the show's continued success at a crucial time. Kinda tacky that they couldn't give her a track in honor of that. Without her, it's hard to say the show would have survive for Lea to take over in the first place.
I know everyone is here for Lea Michele, but I am absolutely only here for Ramin Karimloo. I'm not sure it's legal for him to give people eargasms like this.
I get the feeling Ramin Karimloo is overlooked amid all the Lea drama and from what I have heard of these vocals he's giving one of the best performances of his career. Who else could play Nicky Arnstein? Arnstein must have an exotic edge or there's no explaining Fanny's obsession.
@@maryluke8611 Absolutely right. Even with the additions to the script, any character definition comes from him and he's wonderful - sings, dances, does comedy. I will give some perks to Lea because she realizes what a gem she has to partner with. She mentions him in all her interviews and in a Rolling Stone article, her last comment is about doing Who Are You Now/Reprise being her favorite song in the show. At least he seems happier now!
I really enjoyed watching this, thanks for making a react video even with the copyright strike threat. Was relieved you skipped the awkward Private Schwartz part though, I don't understand what that's about at all, not sure if it's just the lack of context... I agree that the Who Are You Now? Reprise was an unexpected gem, on regular rotation on my playlist.
@@callalily3994 I was really hating on Rat-tat-tat-tat, but, yes, I watched the video (which has now been hidden) and found myself loving it. It's honoring WWI soldiers and Private Swartz killing the German Kaiser, so for Fanny's time period very appropriate and supportive of her Jewish heritage. In any event, Lea is adorable as Private Schwartz and when seen, very funny. The tapping is amazing.
My occupancy agreement has a Barbra clause in it. Any adjacent neighbors, or those passing in the hall, must accept that I will be belting along with “The Queen of All Things” whenever the spirit moves. Just a bit ago, I was singing “So long, Dearie” from her Dolly medley that was on Ed Sullivan. Tell me? How could anyone possibly get through life without her music?!
Just came across your channel, [from Massachusetts, USA!!] You’re absolutely hilarious!! I love all your commentary,…And your knowledge!! Thanks for the entertainment, just subscribed!!! 😂🙏🏽🙏🏽🤣 Feel sorry for Beanie Feldstein I Love Her,… but Nobody Can Ever Should Be compared to Barbra!!! It’s 55+ years later!! 🤷🏻♀️ Lea WAS Mah’velous!! “People” was Great!! “Rain on My Parade!” Awesome! Ending,…Awesome!! Thanks 🙏🏽 Again!!
Okay so I've been hesitant to listen to this cast recording because of the controversy surrounding Lea, but DAMN she sounds good here. Maybe I gotta give her a second chance (I was a huge fan of hers when I was younger, I own both of her studio albums and even dressed up as Rachel for Halloween one year). I know it's been overquoted as hell, but it still applies: she may be difficult, but boy can she sing
Sorry to tell everyone... if lea did not join funny girl.. this show is closed now for sure. When julie was soloing the show in August after beanie, she contributed the lowest box office of all time ever since the opening. It just does not work at all.
Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable review! It's so fun to watch somebody who does the same kinds of things I do when listening to a soundtrack or album. A couple historical notes, just for funsies: You're right in that "Funny Girl" was written for the film and did not appear in the original show. But I don't know that it was a direct replacement for anything. If I had to guess I would say "Who Are You Now" as that does not appear in the film and it kind of fits the same emotional beat if not the same story beat. "Coronet Man" was replaced in the film by "Second Hand Rose" as that was something of a hit for Barbra as she had performed it in one of her television specials. It's a pity, as "Coronet Man" is a much better song.
Yes! I think when I was a teenager I learned Funny Girl was added for the film at the same time I learned Cornet Man was cut and conflated the two even though they serve completely different purposes 😅
hi! thanks for covering this. quick question, are recordings with usually the opening cast even in a revival? i just wonder if like common etiquette would be to record before the part was recast?
There have just been a few times when a cast recording was done with a cast other than the opening cast, and in almost all of those, it was because the original person was unavailable. There have also been a few (like Grease in 1994/1995) where they recorded the album with the first cast (Rosie O'Donnell as Rizzo), and then re-recorded the replacement (Brooke Shields) and just replaced that one vocal track and released the "New-est Broadway Cast Recording" with that. I've never seen this particular situation before -- where they made the decision to record only the replacement cast. (There was also Secret Garden, where they started recording the album a few months after the show opened, and by that point, the original boy who played Colin had been replaced in the cast, because his voice had started to change. But they still had him sing most of his part, and just had his replacement sing "Lift Me Up," since that one goes really high and was out of his range by that point.)
I think it was funny girl was in the original and it was my man that they replaced it with in the movie. Really appreciate this review so many people are comment on Lea as a person instead of her as a singer and while it is not always right to separate the art from the artist in this circumstance it was lovely to hear an unbiased review on just the music.
Thank you for the wonderful video! As someone who loves musicals but knows very little about how music works, this makes me appreciate the show even more! I loved the show with Lea. Still thinking about it and humming the songs. What more could one ask of a musical? Minor gripe, though: I did not like Nick singing Funny Girl. It felt forced in. And now for my little rant… Funny how everyone gleefully trashed Lea, and now that she’s killing it and helped save the show/ all the people employed, they’re warming up to her. Beanie was done a disservice by being cast in a role that was clearly not a good fit for her. The show makers prioritized optics over talent, and the result was unnecessary drama and heartache for those involved, especially Beanie. Ultimately, talent speaks for itself. People can be as righteous as they want, but most are not going to go see an expensive Broadway show only because the lead is a nice person and represents a marginalized group. (This is not to say you can’t do that AND have the talent required, of course.) While I do not condone Lea’s past behavior, I don’t think that ruthless modern-day witch hunts online are constructive. People make mistakes, should be criticized humanely, and, in most cases, should be afforded the grace to learn and do better. Also, while it’s easier for people to focus their vitriol on an individual, it’s important to remember that much of the fault in toxic work environments lies with those in charge. They’re the ones responsible for setting the tone and ultimately deciding what is tolerated. Thankfully, I do see an improvement in western culture regarding more openness and emphasis on mental health.
this was a great video. I think health (vocal, mental and physical) need to be somewhat prioritized - i agree not every note has to be the HIGHEST ever etc.
I think people are too quick to slate Lea and rave Julie Bento- I think vocally and acting wise Lea is currently out performing Julie whilst I recognise Lea has had her faults in the past but she is doing incredible things in this role and for this show. And people literally just live Julie because comparatively she’s just a traditional broadway actress
I saw Beanie in previews and thought she was excellent! Then saw Julie 10/13 and Lea 10/14. IMO Julie is the most like Fanny with her comedic style, facial expressions and belts out those classic tunes equally to Lea. Lea is the star of this revival though. I had never heard about all the difficulties of working w/ Lea and all the accusations of bad behaviour. That maybe has tarnished my accolades of her in the role and why Julie gets my top vote. But Lea bringing over $2M a week is maybe giving her career a clean slate. But poor Beanie, I really enjoyed her performance as well. She was gracious throughout.
Only saw the Beanie production but this show peaked at the overture. I’ve heard Lea is great but I really don’t think I can sit through this show again 😅
If you can, give it another shot…from what I heard from fellow audience members that had seen beanie in it…it feels like an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SHOW. I looked for everything everyone complained about and loved every second from start to finish. Lea is really THAT good. She lifts up Ramin and the company; they’re not expected to lift her up as was the case with Beanie.
The entire review seems to compare her to Barbra or Rachel. Having just seen the show this past Saturday I can truly say she does not imitate Barbra for one moment and I think her voice is so different now from when she was in Glee. She has a thickness and and a maturity in her tones that she did not have then, and she keeps that wonderful scoop she always has had. I did not think of Barbra for one second when she started the show it became totally and 100 percent her own. She was incredible and she sounded even better live than on this wonderful recording. Beanie could not sing this, she gave it her all but sometimes that just isn't enough. A recording with Beanie would have been painful, having seen/heard Beanie I actually wished it wasn't a musical because everytime she sang it was not very pleasant, her book scenes were good but this is a musical. BRAVA LEA for showing , with all the pressure to be great, how great she truly is. I was not a glee fan but I am now a huge Lea Fan
I just saw the Julie Benko version of her Don't Rain on My Parade performance video. I know this won't go down well with some people, but I like it better than the Lea version. She has a very fresh, innocent in love quality that I find lacking with the current lead. Maybe I saw the Glee version a few too many times. I think both of them are pretty equal in the vocals, but I like Julie's energy better. Just my opinion.
Same boat, agree entirely. I wish they'd gone with Julie from the get-go. I feel like I've seen LM play this role for far too long, going back to the overly ambitious, toxic Rachel. (Santana's version was also better, imo.) I just don't buy her as a comedic ingenue at all. She comes across as a veteran performer, which, for me, strikes the wrong tone for the role. Can she belt the score and sound just like Barbra? Yeah, sure, I guess. But is it interesting and engaging beyond a tribute concert? Not for me.
Did you see either of them live? Julie was okay. She was better than Beanie. But she could not compare to the force that is Lea live. Seriously. The whole theater was enthralled.
I agree personally, but maybe it's just the Streisand fan in me. In my book, no one can replace Barbara, so why bother trying? I'd love to see Lea make it more her own.
Her finale is emotional and thrilling. A stunning ending.
Everyone blaming Lea for not including Julie on the recording or for the mistreatment to Beanie is funny to me. If someone is responsible is not her but the directors and all the crew in charge of the show. She’s just doing her work. Lea was phenomenal by the way :)
They don't know and don't bother to know when Julie was soloing it in August she delivered the worst box office lol..😅 people just did not like her either
@@Max-my6rk oh, darling, trust me they know they don’t care. It’s just like they know that Vinny was garbage but they don’t care.
People did love Julie. I deliberately went when Beanie attended a wedding. There were fifty people waiting for her outside the stage door screaming and applauding. Sadly I think people saved their money to see Lea once it was announced
I was lucky to see FG with Beanie, Julie and Lea and I can tell you Lea smashes it, not only with her vocals but also her acting and chemistry with Ramin on stage, which is incredible and very believable. I love the cast recording but it’s way better live, I felt some moments that were really emotional didn’t translate as such in the album. My faves are Who are you now reprise (that song live with Lea and Ramin is mind blowing) and the music that makes me dance. But honestly, I love the whole album.
agreed...been lucky/blessed to see many great performances and original casts on broadway and could not take my eyes off Lea (normally I'd also check out the other cast members), she was so electrifying...vocally amazing, hilarious, and then heartbreaking in the end. Loved Beanie in Hello Dolly! but can't imagine her being able to sing this or bring the same level of chemistry with Ramin (the funny probably).
It's one of the best performances I've ever seen, and I've seen A LOT. I was able to get third row seats for my birthday and right after I left (well, after I met Lea at the stage door) I went home and bought front row seats for two more performances.
lol I just saw it from the third row on Saturday, truly one of the best (in my top two) performances I have seen in my 66 years and thousands of shows.
I experienced Lea Michele in FUNNY GIRL on Wednesday night and she was pure electricity! She had me before she even uttered, "Hello, Gorgeous!" (I swear, I started the applause). One of the most memorable performances I've seen on Broadway, and that's over 40 years of theater going! And I've seen Patti Lupone in ANYTHING GOES, GYPSY and COMPANY, Bernadette Peters in SONG AND DANCE and INTO THE WOODS, Betty Buckley in SUNSET BOULEVARD, Cynthia Erivo in THE COLORED PURPLE and Bette Midler in HELLO, DOLLY!! She is greatest star on Broadway right now!
"Don't you hate it when the entire neighborhood sings a production number about how unattractive you are?!?" Ha!!! Best reaction EVER! 6:25 Another great video MickeyJo!
Oh this was THE most delightful time I’ve had watching a RUclips video in a long while, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do more cast recording reactions, we need it!
Thank you, I'm planning to!
The soundtrack is great but your hilarious commentary made this video for me! Excellent video!
Live in New York City and watch your videos often. You are so funny and someone needs to hire you for a major publication because you always tell it like it is. Thank you for that. Saw her about a month ago and I'm telling you as an actor, a Broadway actor at that, she is the exact same on stage if not better than she is in that recording how thrilling it is to see a funny girl that we all have dreamed of. Thank you for your videos, and I love seeing you this way and your true fun loving like no one's watching self keep it going Mickey Joe. Love you
I love the album. I’d love to see Lea get some Tony respect. Sad that there are not awards for replacements. If she opened the production she would have received Best Actress in a Musical. Also have mad respect for the incredible Julie Benko. But no one can argue, Lea saved the show. Period.
The overture gives me goosebumps everytime. Since the first time I heard it at 15. The purpose, to build anticipation and excitement. Very emotional.
Having seen Beanie and Julie in Funny Girl and having seen Leah in other shows on Broadway, I feel content with this OBC (kinda) starring Leah. People too often forget that Broadway is a business. Unfortunately, Beaniie's voice was unable to give the songs the character and strength that the score needs.. While Julie was amazing in the role--I believed her completely as Fanny Brice and her singing could make you laugh or break your heart. Sadly, she's not a well-known name that could sell cast albums. Ignoring Leah's history of horrible behavior, she has the experience and the vocal chops to sell the cast album. Leah will make the producers money.
I also enjoy that the flushed out Nicky Arnstein's role giving his some of the originally cut songs.
I enjoyed this review so much! Thanks Mickey Jo! You are a treat! I love this musical and the revival is super.
I saw this show with Lea last month; one of my all time favorite theatre going experiences. It's a stellar cast recording and a great representation of the show (the only thing that I think gets a little misrepresented is "Temporary Arrangement"; between the music shift and Ramin dancing with the ensemble, it definitely feels a bit more odd when it's placed within the context of the full show). I do seem to remember Lea optioning up in "People" when I saw it? Though I definitely might be misremembering.
My friend is going Sunday- I don't think Lea opted up when I saw the show in early October, but now you have me curious.
this score seems very difficult, i couldnt imagine singing this 7 times (in lea's case) a week!
I love listening to your reactions to the albums. My favorite song is and always has been Who Are You Now. Keep up the great work.
I've been watching your videos for a while but this is the first Cast Recording reaction video and your enthusiasm was absolutely delightful to watch. You had be burst into laughter on multiple occasions. Thank you for sharing your joy. It brightened my day!
I like Ramin singing 'Funny Girl', only because I'm obsessed with him and I like his voice for that song
Thank you for this fantastic review, you are so entertaining to watch. I discovered your channel in April after I saw previews of FG with Beanie Feldstein and was looking to see what people/reviewers had to say about her performance. Keep up the great work!!!
The fact that they did a cast recording after dropping Beanie has to sting a bit, but also I can see the show wanting to get their profit back and it worked like this was 100% financial and you can't blame them and with the official cast recording they'll definitely be making more money back.
Like I've said before it is show BUSINESS. You have to give people the product they want. I wanted and got a superior vocalist who can sing the songs as written at a level that few can deliver. Hence I am happy I paid the money and saw Lea. I would have been so disappointed if I'd gone into Beanie with the same expectations.
@@jacquelinecallejas1390 sadly, I don’t have the money, but I’ve been listening to clips of both of them and thank the good Lord in heaven, that they went with Lee instead of Feldstein, because Lee can deliver and Feldstein can’t.
I love watching your videos and for all the vlogging you've done w/ regards to Funny Girl I'm shocked that the producers have not sent you an invite to NY and the show.
I love and have desperately missed your cast recording reactions. Thank you for your thoughts!
"Dear Fanny Brice today's gonna be a good day and here's why" I laughed so hard
Gladys knight did a rendition of People and blew it away in concert. Her incredible voice proved that she can sing anything.
Saw Glady's appearance on Masked Singer and all I could think of was She should have won AND the world would be heavenly if Gladys and Patty Labelle went on tour together. They both still got it and at a level of talent rarely seen on this earth.
@@jacquelinecallejas1390 Her and Patti went this past summer with another master voice, Stephanie Mills. It was an incredible concert.
I love how you chair dance throughout the entire album!
👏let’s 👏all👏 make👏healthy👏belting👏choices👏
This was so enjoyable to watch and I was right there with you with the shoulders!
Lea sounds great! As they all do, too 🙌🏽
I love Micky reacts to cast recording videos.
Enjoyed your witty analysis. "You Are Woman" is my fave on the soundtrack... fun and bouncy. But just an amazing soundtrack and hoping for a DVD of this cast. Thanks!
Thank you for reviewing this with no monetary benefit to you per copyright restrictions. You gave us much more than than the video time what with editing and such.
Oooh Mickey Jo please please can we get merch that says:
NEFARIOUS CHORDS
please & thanks?
Watching you listen to the overture…. I actually think this IS the music that makes you dance 😂
I've had to watch the bootlegs, and I have to say Lea is spectacular. Watching the finale makes much more sense than you get from the cast album. Just wonderful!
The Dream Ballet is just the beginning of the show all over again where we leave Fanny at the start of the show and she’s looking back on her characters in life
Halfway through the first act "Oh yeah, there's an ensemble. Maybe we ought to truck them out for a number..." brother, that's exactly how it feels to be ensemble in this show. Some of us could actually go out to pick up food during act 2 on matinee days and make it back for bows.
Plus, they needed a number put in that spot so that Lea can go get changed into her next outfit.
Love watching you during this overture!
the section of the overture that has “the feeling of rail travel” is so true!!! i’m getting full on skimbleshanks vibes
BTW you are such a great personality and reviewer….I am so thankful I came across your channel…having fun watching your earlier videos and enjoying them so!
Great job, once again! I salute you, Sir!
I love it, Lea is the perfect funny girl.
Amber Ardolino who plays Vera posted some TikTok content of the behind the scenes in the recording studio and they showcase the recording of the tap sequences.
Tony awards need to change their eligibility rules. Lea is ✨✨ in this role. I've listened to just the overture of the cast album far too many times already, the instrumental is stunning 😂
the luckiest person is definitely not a finance professional - love, a finance professional
You are brilliant. Thank you for your incredible insights.
Watching your videos this rainy afternoon. I really appreciate the addition of the vlog videos, they are super fun!
I love the score to Funny Girl - I think it's much better than most people give it credit for, very memorable songs. Love watching Mickey's reactions! And he sings along too, which is super fun! I love these reaction videos and am glad he will do more of them! (: (: (:
The score is pretty much the only thing I ever see it get credit for, honestly. The story isn't great.
I grew up listening to Barbra, and my mom played that album until it was unplayable. I had it memorized since I was 5 years old. So it's a little hard to get used to someone else, but Lea did a great job. I heard a little of Beanie on RUclips, and I thought she was better than expected. It's a tough role. Jule Styne once said he wrote the music for Barbra even before she was cast so this was always a tough musical to revive.
I love that you mention Turkey Lurkey Time, we'd be best friends haha.
Best damce number ever staged om Broadway . With rhe greatest ever Donna Mckechnie.
@@maryluke8611 I actually really like what the choreographer did to the revival with Sean Hayes, the whole show is online, if you want to check it out.
Saw this opening night. I still think the orchestration is a bit fast. But Lea kills it!
did your recording not have the 2 bonus tracks? Read the Room & I'm the Greatest Star (Reprise)? Was really interested in what you thought of them and where you thought they would have fit in the show. great dancing. enjoyed your analysis.
I have been waiting for this video. Just about to watch it but I had to stop and write you. I love your hair! It’s looks so good.
Ok video now.
This is the first video of yours I've ever seen and I don't think I've laughed so hard and learned so much in one sitting. If you ever need to win a bet to turn a non-singer into a singer, I offer to be the experiment!
I have a chest infection and I really didn't need that coughing fit when you had *Courtney Stapleton* do the dream ballet omg! Amazing but it hurt hahah
You sir are exceptionally funny. It's a joy to watch.
Watched this with the second half of the football in the background. This was much more entertaining.
I'm not surprised they have released the cast recording with Lea and Tovah. Neither Beanie or Jane were going to have a wide appeal in terms of people getting a cast recording. However Lea, Ramin and Tovah are big enough names to interest fans beyond Funny Girl, and just in time for Christmas! Plus there seems to be a lot of tap on the soundtrack, which is more justified when it's performed by a Tony nominee.
There was another album produced most recently; the Sheridan Smith London revival. Would love to hear your thoughts on that on its own, plus compared to this new album!
This is the first time I’ve seen your you tube video. Great job and I watched Glee and loved it. I knew Leah Michelle would be phenomenal and she didn’t let me down.
7:13 she was Maria…
Also, I was the Ziegfeld Tenor in my first ever musical. His Love Makes You Beautiful (while yes, misogynistic) is such a gorgeous & hilarious number.
Thanks!
"Who ARE the luckiest people in the world?... It's got to be somebody who works in finance." 🤣
Yayy love your reaction vids, thanks for making more!! Also just in general great content, you always cheer me up 😊
Hey,I like you. This is fun. I sang from Funny Girl in 1966 for my first college semester drama final. Really enjoying your ad libs .
Who Are You Now/Reprise is the best song on the album. Ramin was being a gentleman throughout - glad he got his own songs. Love your reviews. BTW, for the others here - Beanie's entire performance was lacking and the show was losing money. No money for a cast album. Also, Julie is the standby. Would be very unusual for her to do a track.
It would be unusual, but everything about this revival, even the existence of this recording, is unusual. So why not one more bit of unusual and toss her a track?
@@christophersmith3341 Well, they didn't, so there you go. I know Julie has a big fan base, but she's basically hanging on with capacity and revenue. The Thursday shows are discounted. During her August stint, she barely kept with the below-average capacity Beanie was getting in July (70-80%), so the decision was likely made based on financial return. There was no way she was going to get the lead - being the alternate was a nice deal for her. Her next gig will likely be an original casting based on her work in FG, but this just isn't her show.
@@Makeji I'm not sure what any of this means, or how it relates to either my response to you or your original post.
"Well, they didnt'." Yeah, we know. That's why we've commented.
She was very important to the show's continued success at a crucial time. Kinda tacky that they couldn't give her a track in honor of that. Without her, it's hard to say the show would have survive for Lea to take over in the first place.
She’s not the standby, she’s the alternate.
@@callalily3994 She's also the standby, when Lea can't go on (like tonight 11/25), she goes on.
Yes, the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (Here Comes the Bride) is public domain.
if you want Ramin singing his face off, in a British musical I might add, please listen to the clockmakers daughter!!
Lina k. Oh my yes! Just listened to it again today and he is so amazing in it! 👏👏👏
I know everyone is here for Lea Michele, but I am absolutely only here for Ramin Karimloo. I'm not sure it's legal for him to give people eargasms like this.
I get the feeling Ramin Karimloo is overlooked amid all the Lea drama and from what I have heard of these vocals he's giving one of the best performances of his career. Who else could play Nicky Arnstein? Arnstein must have an exotic edge or there's no explaining Fanny's obsession.
@@maryluke8611 Absolutely right. Even with the additions to the script, any character definition comes from him and he's wonderful - sings, dances, does comedy. I will give some perks to Lea because she realizes what a gem she has to partner with. She mentions him in all her interviews and in a Rolling Stone article, her last comment is about doing Who Are You Now/Reprise being her favorite song in the show. At least he seems happier now!
We had that full recording with Sheridan Smith didn't we?
I’m sorry but this show as only gone up in every way possible since she has taken over
You add cheer to my day
I really enjoyed watching this, thanks for making a react video even with the copyright strike threat.
Was relieved you skipped the awkward Private Schwartz part though, I don't understand what that's about at all, not sure if it's just the lack of context...
I agree that the Who Are You Now? Reprise was an unexpected gem, on regular rotation on my playlist.
The Private Schwartz part is just a scene from one of Fannie's performances.
@@callalily3994 I get that, but I can't understand the humour at all. I'm not sure accent based jokes land well in 2022.
I think it’s more of a costume joke than an accent joke, but it doesn’t really work.
@@callalily3994 I was really hating on Rat-tat-tat-tat, but, yes, I watched the video (which has now been hidden) and found myself loving it. It's honoring WWI soldiers and Private Swartz killing the German Kaiser, so for Fanny's time period very appropriate and supportive of her Jewish heritage. In any event, Lea is adorable as Private Schwartz and when seen, very funny. The tapping is amazing.
My occupancy agreement has a Barbra clause in it. Any adjacent neighbors, or those passing in the hall, must accept that I will be belting along with “The Queen of All Things” whenever the spirit moves. Just a bit ago, I was singing “So long, Dearie” from her Dolly medley that was on Ed Sullivan. Tell me? How could anyone possibly get through life without her music?!
love your videos, fave stagey content :D
Just came across your channel, [from Massachusetts, USA!!]
You’re absolutely hilarious!!
I love all your commentary,…And your knowledge!!
Thanks for the entertainment, just subscribed!!! 😂🙏🏽🙏🏽🤣
Feel sorry for Beanie Feldstein
I Love Her,… but Nobody Can Ever Should Be compared to Barbra!!!
It’s 55+ years later!! 🤷🏻♀️
Lea WAS Mah’velous!! “People” was Great!!
“Rain on My Parade!” Awesome!
Ending,…Awesome!!
Thanks 🙏🏽 Again!!
Tinder Swindler vibes 💀
Okay so I've been hesitant to listen to this cast recording because of the controversy surrounding Lea, but DAMN she sounds good here. Maybe I gotta give her a second chance (I was a huge fan of hers when I was younger, I own both of her studio albums and even dressed up as Rachel for Halloween one year). I know it's been overquoted as hell, but it still applies: she may be difficult, but boy can she sing
I died at the kazoo lol
I have always enjoyed your videos, but you are too damned adorable in this video!
Sorry to tell everyone... if lea did not join funny girl.. this show is closed now for sure. When julie was soloing the show in August after beanie, she contributed the lowest box office of all time ever since the opening. It just does not work at all.
If you wanted to make a really quick summary video alongside these longer ones I’d watch the ads :)
Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable review! It's so fun to watch somebody who does the same kinds of things I do when listening to a soundtrack or album.
A couple historical notes, just for funsies:
You're right in that "Funny Girl" was written for the film and did not appear in the original show. But I don't know that it was a direct replacement for anything. If I had to guess I would say "Who Are You Now" as that does not appear in the film and it kind of fits the same emotional beat if not the same story beat.
"Coronet Man" was replaced in the film by "Second Hand Rose" as that was something of a hit for Barbra as she had performed it in one of her television specials. It's a pity, as "Coronet Man" is a much better song.
Yes! I think when I was a teenager I learned Funny Girl was added for the film at the same time I learned Cornet Man was cut and conflated the two even though they serve completely different purposes 😅
hi! thanks for covering this. quick question, are recordings with usually the opening cast even in a revival? i just wonder if like common etiquette would be to record before the part was recast?
also if the recasting decision wasn’t pre planned then maybe they just didn’t have enough time to do it
There have just been a few times when a cast recording was done with a cast other than the opening cast, and in almost all of those, it was because the original person was unavailable. There have also been a few (like Grease in 1994/1995) where they recorded the album with the first cast (Rosie O'Donnell as Rizzo), and then re-recorded the replacement (Brooke Shields) and just replaced that one vocal track and released the "New-est Broadway Cast Recording" with that. I've never seen this particular situation before -- where they made the decision to record only the replacement cast.
(There was also Secret Garden, where they started recording the album a few months after the show opened, and by that point, the original boy who played Colin had been replaced in the cast, because his voice had started to change. But they still had him sing most of his part, and just had his replacement sing "Lift Me Up," since that one goes really high and was out of his range by that point.)
Hey early squad!
I think it was funny girl was in the original and it was my man that they replaced it with in the movie. Really appreciate this review so many people are comment on Lea as a person instead of her as a singer and while it is not always right to separate the art from the artist in this circumstance it was lovely to hear an unbiased review on just the music.
Thank you for the wonderful video! As someone who loves musicals but knows very little about how music works, this makes me appreciate the show even more!
I loved the show with Lea. Still thinking about it and humming the songs. What more could one ask of a musical? Minor gripe, though: I did not like Nick singing Funny Girl. It felt forced in.
And now for my little rant… Funny how everyone gleefully trashed Lea, and now that she’s killing it and helped save the show/ all the people employed, they’re warming up to her. Beanie was done a disservice by being cast in a role that was clearly not a good fit for her. The show makers prioritized optics over talent, and the result was unnecessary drama and heartache for those involved, especially Beanie. Ultimately, talent speaks for itself. People can be as righteous as they want, but most are not going to go see an expensive Broadway show only because the lead is a nice person and represents a marginalized group. (This is not to say you can’t do that AND have the talent required, of course.)
While I do not condone Lea’s past behavior, I don’t think that ruthless modern-day witch hunts online are constructive. People make mistakes, should be criticized humanely, and, in most cases, should be afforded the grace to learn and do better. Also, while it’s easier for people to focus their vitriol on an individual, it’s important to remember that much of the fault in toxic work environments lies with those in charge. They’re the ones responsible for setting the tone and ultimately deciding what is tolerated. Thankfully, I do see an improvement in western culture regarding more openness and emphasis on mental health.
Here comes the Bride is from Wagner’s Lohengrin. Definitely out of copyright 😂
this was a great video. I think health (vocal, mental and physical) need to be somewhat prioritized - i agree not every note has to be the HIGHEST ever etc.
I think people are too quick to slate Lea and rave Julie Bento- I think vocally and acting wise Lea is currently out performing Julie whilst I recognise Lea has had her faults in the past but she is doing incredible things in this role and for this show. And people literally just live Julie because comparatively she’s just a traditional broadway actress
Please don’t hate me, but in my personal opinion, I prefer Lee to Julie because Julie is just too over the top for me.
Thanks
The overture to show is different to the movie
not a kazoo I think it was a slide whistle!
The more you know! 😂
I saw Beanie in previews and thought she was excellent! Then saw Julie 10/13 and Lea 10/14.
IMO Julie is the most like Fanny with her comedic style, facial expressions and belts out those classic tunes equally to Lea.
Lea is the star of this revival though. I had never heard about all the difficulties of working w/ Lea and all the accusations of bad behaviour. That maybe has tarnished my accolades of her in the role and why Julie gets my top vote. But Lea bringing over $2M a week is maybe giving her career a clean slate. But poor Beanie, I really enjoyed her performance as well. She was gracious throughout.
It was a slide whistle not a kazoo.
So glad I got to watch you reacting to the album since I was never going to (and most likely still won't) listen to it!
I'm glad you did this cuz I've been curious about the album but I don't really wanna give it the streams lol
Compare her to Barbara all you want, she sounds shockingly like Sutton Foster to me
7:14 talking about the greatest star - "that's not something you heard on glee" ...because its Kurt's song and Chris Colfer killed it 😍
Only saw the Beanie production but this show peaked at the overture. I’ve heard Lea is great but I really don’t think I can sit through this show again 😅
Yeah, people basically only see Funny Girl to see the leading lady sing a few songs. The show itself isn't very good.
Clips of each number are here on RUclips. Watch one song at a time.
If you can, give it another shot…from what I heard from fellow audience members that had seen beanie in it…it feels like an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SHOW. I looked for everything everyone complained about and loved every second from start to finish. Lea is really THAT good. She lifts up Ramin and the company; they’re not expected to lift her up as was the case with Beanie.
In the "Dream Ballet", characters from Fanny's memories come back briefly.
The entire review seems to compare her to Barbra or Rachel. Having just seen the show this past Saturday I can truly say she does not imitate Barbra for one moment and I think her voice is so different now from when she was in Glee. She has a thickness and and a maturity in her tones that she did not have then, and she keeps that wonderful scoop she always has had. I did not think of Barbra for one second when she started the show it became totally and 100 percent her own. She was incredible and she sounded even better live than on this wonderful recording. Beanie could not sing this, she gave it her all but sometimes that just isn't enough. A recording with Beanie would have been painful, having seen/heard Beanie I actually wished it wasn't a musical because everytime she sang it was not very pleasant, her book scenes were good but this is a musical. BRAVA LEA for showing , with all the pressure to be great, how great she truly is. I was not a glee fan but I am now a huge Lea Fan
Hearing Ramin go "I want to be seen with you" made me instinctively open my legs
(Hyperbole there; I just think he's hot)
🤣🤣🤣
I just saw the Julie Benko version of her Don't Rain on My Parade performance video. I know this won't go down well with some people, but I like it better than the Lea version. She has a very fresh, innocent in love quality that I find lacking with the current lead. Maybe I saw the Glee version a few too many times. I think both of them are pretty equal in the vocals, but I like Julie's energy better. Just my opinion.
Same boat, agree entirely. I wish they'd gone with Julie from the get-go.
I feel like I've seen LM play this role for far too long, going back to the overly ambitious, toxic Rachel. (Santana's version was also better, imo.) I just don't buy her as a comedic ingenue at all. She comes across as a veteran performer, which, for me, strikes the wrong tone for the role. Can she belt the score and sound just like Barbra? Yeah, sure, I guess. But is it interesting and engaging beyond a tribute concert? Not for me.
Did you see either of them live? Julie was okay. She was better than Beanie. But she could not compare to the force that is Lea live. Seriously. The whole theater was enthralled.
I agree personally, but maybe it's just the Streisand fan in me. In my book, no one can replace Barbara, so why bother trying? I'd love to see Lea make it more her own.