I saw it with Beanie and Lea. It was like night and day. If Lea had been cast from the start, the show may have likely received many more Tony nominations and maybe wins. When it comes to this show, people don’t want an actress playing Fannie Brice. They want an actress playing Barbara Streisand playing Fannie Brice.
Had tickets to see it with Lea and she dropped out that night and we got Julie Benko. The theatre was half empty because of the change, so we got moved to the 5th row, and Julie was absolutely show stopping. So superb. The fact that she wasn't a known quantity and was trying to prove herself tied in so deliciously with Fannie's story.
people are so lame. u already paid for the ticket might as well stay and watch. julie has played fanny over 100 times including being the principal for a couple months. sad that ppl still walk out. so immature.
@@Imani88888888, I suppose if they paid absurd prices for Lea Michele AND had another opportunity to go, it makes sense. They could get a refund. On the other hand, I'd love to see Julie Benko in the role. She seems great.
I saw it with Beanie and Lea. Beanie was fine but I left thinking I didn’t actually like the story (didn’t know it before) but with Lea her performance hid the flaws of the book really well. I just couldn’t get enough of her performance. I finally get what they mean by “star vehicle.”
Wonderful review! I saw her at the matinee show on Mother’s Day and we thought she was spectacular. My husband cried during the Finale, he said he didn’t know she was going to go there emotionally. She really has a firm grasp of this role in a way I didn’t know she would be able to if that makes sense. One thing I noted was that she seemed a little tired, though her voice never wavered. Two days later it was announced she had Covid, so that makes sense. I thought the show was great fun and that she is stunning in it. Thank you for your review!
This is exactly what I was looking for in the comments. Lea Michelle has a technically immaculate voice but I’ve never seen her in a role with emotional depth enough to justify the casting. Been looking for comments on if she’s pulled that off.
@@hollyro4665 she was incredible, better than I could have imagined. It’s funny because I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time, but the best work I’ve ever seen her do up to this point was a guest spot on “Sons of Anarchy” playing a waitress. She had a cumulative total of maybe 7 minutes of screen time, but was totally believable and real. I loved her in Glee, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t feel like she was encouraged to tap into something deeper very often. She thrives in dramatic and heart wrenching scenes.
I think the choice to not have a real velvet curtain may be dramaturgical, as Olio Drops/Curtains (large canvases with painted curtains or murals) were very popular in the vaudeville era. It makes a lot of sense when you think of the setting!
Thank you for your review. I have seen Funny Girl twice. Beanie Feldstein four days before opening night and Lea Michelle in December. The difference overall was night and day. The energy from the entire company the second time was infectious. I agree that the book is problematic, but the producer Ray Stark was married to Frances Arnstein and the play was about her parents. I imagine that Isobel Lennart the original author had quite a bit of input. Also, it is a broadway musical from the 1960's and that audience would be quite accepting of the premise of the show. What makes it work is a star performance. I am sure that Barbra Streisand made it work, as Lea Michelle makes it work. I would say I was more away of the book creaking when I saw Beanie Feldstein. Under the circumstances, Harvey Fierstein did a good job. All in all, I thought Lea Michelle was incredible I am most grateful that I went back to see her in it.
It’s well documented that the book and score were written for Barbra Streisand, and essentially all of Act Two was ‘concert of one.’ Even People was written specifically for pop song success. She didn’t make it work- they made it for her.
I saw Beanie, then I saw LEA. It is amazing how much LEA changed the show, it went from being my least favorite show of the season to the best show on Broadway, thanks to LEA and TOVAH. But then again Ramin also has great chemistry with LEA, which makes the show much better. Jared, who was the best thing of the show, is now accompanied by several excellent artists. Unfortunately, Beanie didn't have chemistry with Ramin, he also didn't get to shine before. Now, with LEA, he has blatant chemistry, and his work is much better. LEA elevated the entire show, this is a star who is a perfectionist, the best vocals on Broadway, but also excellent acting, the layers of her performance, the accent, the gestures. LEA is excellent. Even, watching all the actresses that played Fanny in the concert in the year 2002, that included Sutton Foster and other Broadway divas couldn't get to the level of LEA.
I was very curious about Ramin, so thanks for sharing your thoughts! I saw him in Anastasia on Broadway and his vocals were so stunning, everything else paled in comparison. I could see him matching up well with Lea.
Loved your review! I saw the show last Fall with some trepidation because of all the hype and online chatter. Lea blew me away, not just with her spellbinding vocals but the vulnerability she brought to the role. I admit it -- I got a bit emotional towards the end. Ramin, Feldshuh and Grimes were also terrific. (It's a shame this core 4 wasn't the opening cast -- the show's reception at the Tonys would have been very different.) I'm glad to see that the show is still fresh 6 months later -- it makes me want to see this cast at least one more time. Thanks, MJ!
Good to see that someone is actually acknowledge that Ramin is even in this LOL. I want to see him in a show soooooo badly. If I'd had a clue he was yards away in the workshops/trials for Anastasia when I was waiting to go into one of the final shows of the Barnum & Bailey circus, I'd have scalped those tickets in a HEARTBEAT to see Ramin. He seems amazing in shows whereas his concerts seem so lukewarm... Anyway I'm babbling about one of the few idols I have left either alive or not outed as problematic. Sadie is my favorite random song from this show...
Right?! I didn’t even know he was in it - all the press has been about the Feldstein/Michele drama. As soon as I saw the bows being taken in this video I was like, “Ramin is in this?!” Why is no one making more of that (apart from Mickey Jo)?
I saw the show this past March on a Saturday night. Streisand's Funny Girl performance is one of my favorites, especially the singing. In that regard, I thought Lea Michele did wonderfully. I never watched Glee and haven't followed all the gossip about her, so I wasn't laden down with all of that. She just blew me away and she certainly was the best singer in that cast. Oddly enough, when I was a teenager, a high school club I was in took us to NYC to see Tovah Feldshuh in the play, Yentl - a role that Streisand performed on film. (The play was performed in the mid-1970s.) And here I was, all these many years later, seeing Feldshuh for only the second time, on stage, performing in a play which was made into a film starring Barbra Streisand. Small world.
This is one of the fairest and most comprehensive reviews of Funny Girl that I've seen. Your covering the flaws and triumphs is perfectly on point. I was a Glee viewer even though it went at least one and maybe two seasons too long. It was obvious from the pilot episode that from a pure vocal ability standpoint, Ryan Murphy had hit the jackpot when he cast Lea Michele. Throughout the series, even with other excellent singers like Amber Riley, the show would almost always come back to Lea as it's centerpiece. And yes, Lea appears to have had some interpersonal issues (some that were reported were so off the wall that they couldn't be taken seriously) but anyone who questioned her ability as a first class vocalist was way off the mark. So Funny Girl comes along last year and Beanie Feldstein, a wonderful film actress, is miscast in the leading role. Juli Styne wrote the score specially for Streisand and while anyone tackling Fanny Brice is not going to match her, one of the greatest ever, voices still it requires some major league vocal chops to carry the show. Lea isn't the first actress to succeed in the role but she'll likely be considered one of the best, her old "baggage" notwithstanding. Your assessment of not only her obvious skills as singer but also as an actress is one of best and most complete that I've seen. And your shout outs to the other principal cast members are well deserved. Thanks for the excellent review.
Saw it back in January. Really liked the production, and was very enamoured with Lea's performance. I literally gasped when Ramin came out at the top of Act 2. Felt so embarrassed for myself 😅
I saw it for the second time in February; 6th row center and literally let out a loud “whooo!” when he came out shirtless! Yeah, I was embarrassed at myself too, but hey…we’re only human! Lol
Great review! I saw it a few weeks ago and pretty much totally agree with everything you've said here. Jared Grimes' tap was incredible and I really liked the set. Definitely found it a more enjoyable production than the West End version a few years ago but the story does drag a lot in Act 2 no matter how much Lea and Ramin were going for it. I really like the August Wilson theatre as well, think it's got an awesome bar area.
The wait was worth it! I was on pins and needles waiting and hoping you would like it! What a great review, If you liked it so much, it must be very good. And as someone else stated here, it is time people let go of Lea's behaviors when she was young!!! I am so happy for her to finally get the role she has dreamed of and does it so well. From what I have seen of the staging for this show, it might be similar to the original which I saw on Broadway. Yes, Funny Girl with Barbra was one of the first Broadway show I saw! I wish I was able to see it with Lea the last time I was there so I could say I saw the original and the first revival!😊
I saw Funny girl this past February, and it was my first Broadway show ever and it was fantastic!! As a former gleek and Phan (Phantom of the opera/Love Never dies obsessed fan) seeing Lea AND Ramin together was mind blowing! The story might have some issues but the cast is fantastic I had a blast.
I just saw the show last night, and Lea Michele blew me away, especially the smaller moments. She also made me laugh more than I was expecting. Jared Grimes's tap dancing had my jaw on the floor!
BRAVO 👏!!! Your review is Empire State Building, beautiful and perfect, and way above all the overwritten boring print media. I went for the 3rd time with friends in particular to see the great Tovah Feldshu, a favorite of mine, and she did exactly what I expected, steal every scene with hot sauce. La Feldshu is also at home in dramatic roles. The first time I saw her was in the production of "The three sisters," starring the legendary Rosemary Harris as Olga, Ellen Burstyn as Masha, and the radiant Tovah Feldshu as Irina at the Brooklyn Academy of Music opera house in 1977. She was so beautiful and moved like a gossamer Russian Ballerina. La Harris was magical. Burstyn was doing Tennessee Williams..
I know I’m a dramaturg, but the title ‘Funny Girl’ isn’t because Fanny Brice was a comedian - it’s what Nick calls her. ‘You’re my funny girl’ - it’s a double entendre to the Fanny’s flaw - her vanity (because she wants to be beautiful- not ‘funny’) it’s why she say’s ‘hello gorgeous’, says ‘but isn’t the baby beautiful’ in act two- and most importantly in the reprise of Don’t Rain On My Parade has catharsis.
You're a dramaturg and that somehow makes you an expert on why the show is called Funny Girl? It was called Funny Girl before that line was written, I hate to tell you.
I am pleased that this sounds about as good as it can get (all the limits of the book included). The cast and crew have been through a rollercoaster and it's nice to know their work has been worth it. At a time when it is hard to keep shows open it's good there are these sort of big ticket shows that are worth the money (although a bit less for tickets might be nice).
Wonderful review, because it was pretty much my opinion all the way down the line - particularly Who Are You Now Reprise. The song even sounded good with Beanie! Re: the curtain...this was posted somewhere early on that they ordered a curtain, but cancelled the order because they ran out of money. Whether that's the case or not, who knows. Beanie was miscast for so many reasons, not just her voice, but her acting skills. Lea is right there from the beginning and it is very hard not to fall in love with her. I knew nothing about her before this - my interest in FG was Ramin and watching his breakdown in FG is top notch. As for Julie, I saw a boot and while she is a good actress, she doesn't have the "star" quality needed to carry the show. She's acting and you can tell she's acting. The other thing was the lack of chemistry. I saw her with the understudy - which was beyond tame, but somehow I think her sensuality is lacking with Ramin as well. This wa also an issue with Beanie. If the audience doesn't believe these two are passionately connected, there is no show. The casting of Lea and Ramin is perfection. (Lots more kissing than with the other two.) Tovah won me over in her first scene with Lea - tugged my heart strings and had me tear up. Jared's dancing is glorious, but his acting is not so great. So happy you finally posted your thoughts.
Great review! I saw the show back in October 2022. My biggest complaint was the tap number in Act 2. Lea looked uncomfortable. I wish the creative team had changed that number out with song, “The Swan” written for the film.
I think at the Savoy you could really _feel_ that it was a production that had transferred from a venue that can seat 200 people if some of them sit on the floor. It was really obvious with the costumes, imo - the understudy costumes were the old principal costumes from the Menier, and were much more muted, resulting in Natasha Barnes's Fanny being visually overwhelmed by the ensemble at several points. I imagine the lack of set came directly from that. I'd be curious to know how much they leant into Nick Arnstein's descent into drunken(implied) abuse. There's one particular scene in the second act, where Fanny's surreptitiously set up a business deal for him and he works out that she's behind it, where the London alternates played it in such a way that you actually feared for Fanny's safety. It rang very true.
Good review of Funny Girl. Coming to San Francisco the road show, but realize without a Star performance could be a long night at the theater. Trip to New York if I was a rich man.
I saw it once with Beanie and once with Lea. Lea’s singing was phenomenally better and Beanie’s acting was funnier. But to be fair, I sat 7th row with Beanie and 5th from the last row of the balcony with Lea because of the price differences. So perhaps I just couldn’t SEE Lea’s physical comedy as well
I saw Lea at the end of last month in Funny Girl on Broadway and she was so cute! I loved every second of her being Fanny Brice. I adored Funny Girl so much. It felt like I was alive again. Lea is the best and I love her so much! 🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️
I saw Julie Benko last year and she was incredible. I had never seen the show but she absolutely blew me away with her voice, her character acting, and her comedic timing. A true star!
I did not see Lea Michelle on Broadway. I did see her perform "Don't Rain on My Parade" on the Tony Awards. But I did see BARBRA STREISAND on Broadway 4 times. All I can say is the obvious: Lea Michelle ain't no Barbra Streisand. That being said, she did more than a credible job, and I can see why she should have been cast from the start (I've seen what Beanie can - or cannot - do and still would love to know who sold whom on the idea of Beanie Feldstein being able to carry such a show?!). Bad rep off stage or not, Lea can deliver the goods. Just not quite like Streisand. (No one ever can.)
Enjoyed your review , especially since you were there to actually experience it in person. For myself it was a very surreal experience considering I was a huge Glee fan, watching as her character was chosen to play Fanny in a Broadway revival. I totally agree with everything you said in your review. I was totally impressed and blown away by Lea Michele’s performance. People don’t go to Funny Girl for the book, nor the comedy and acting achievements of its lead actress. They go for the music. No matter who’s preforming the role people are going to compare the vocals to Streisand. Streisand still owns it! Lea however, is the ideal tenant that was given an indefinite lease. Funny Girl is going on tour and will becoming to my town. Which I most likely will not be going. For I will be one of the people comparing Its Fanny to Lea Michele. It would not be fair to the actress of the touring company.
I saw Julie Benko in February and wow… she blew me away. Like I’m not a crier or anything and I grew up watching FG… but I was tearing up once she started singing. She’s amazing! The cast and the show itself was absolutely wonderful and I’m so glad I chose to go. Even my husband, who knows nothing about the drama or the show, walked out blown away. He audibly said “holy shit” after DROMP 🤣🫶🏼
I saw Lea Michelle in The German Play about Masturbating Teens aka Spring Awakening. Her personality and personal charisma on stage is so wildly different from how she comes off in interviews or on Glee. She’s the rare actor who might have been best served by being “shy” in her dealing with the press. In SA, I really hurt for her and wanted to protect her. You’d never guess how massively unsympathetic she comes across in other media. I remember being gobsmacked during one of her really awful interviews about her boyfriend before he died. That said, all this means: She’s a very skilled stage actress.
I deliberately went when Beanie was at a wedding and Julie Benko would be performing. Crowd went crazy for Julie and about fifty waited at the stage door. Saw Beanie on The View and thought weak reedy voice.. Saw Julie as Fantine and knew she could sing
Great review- you hit on something that a lot of people don't realize. Funny Girl is NOT intended to be a comedy. Beanie, and to some degree, Julie Benko, focus on mugging and being comedic. Lea rightfully plays to the actual story- the rise to fame and the romance between her and Nick. It's why it works better now than it did when it first opened.
... a charming, sensitively perspicacious revue MJ'... always interesting with perspectives from someone so impressionably young and fresh ( & that's from my antique perspective ;) ).... using comparisons, explanations & verifications I'd never have thought of... thank you! ... clearly the show is not really about being a comedy.... it's a dramatic avalanche of a musical, about the life of a successful comedic performer set in a specific time & place.., who had to rise above her own many insecurities .. among them, her unusual looks in a world where beauty 'n glamour rang Primo!... a common sentiment even today for many/... We know she was considered side-splittingly funny in self-deprecating ways... & most importantly .... which is why THAT aspect is established almost immediately in the show... so now That's understood.. we're taken behind the fire~curtain to see the flip side of that intimate personal projection... / So in effect.. the show is about being a "Starring Vehicle" for someone really magnificently talented .... which is why the central figure must be iconic.. constantly on stage.. someone to idolize... so .. like going to see a LIZA show 'n so on... the central casting is complicitly THE key factor in the success of the overall impression & focus, one might say .... once that aspect works.... as it did with Bab's live and in the movie ... the rest of the show is apt to resemble an after'dinne'mint..... I'm intimately interested in many productions of Funny Girl around the world... I've not see this particular production as yet... but from the sounds of things, Lea Michele has her foot in the stirrup of a winning pony! .. if she can keep her cool in an impossible industry, she my join the ranks of adored memorable's .. ;)
Grimes - glorious. Karimloo - I suppose “sheer rubber” is a puzzling response, but during the seduction scene, he bounces off the couch, onto the floor, - & then back UP again! Still don’t know how. And watching a marriage crumble along with the character of one person & the dreams of the other…. The movie didn’t prompt me to feel the pain of that, but the Broadway show did. And Lea created a multidimensional person at the show’s core. Don’t know if the show could have kept me awake otherwise.
I think Tony's need an award for Best Replacement Performance - open to someone who didn't originate a role in a new show, but is doing a big lift with an ongoing show. Lea Michelle clearly would have been nominated for that, but there's a case for many other performers who replace the original cast in long running shows.
I saw Funny Girl with Lea, and her performance was sublime. I don’t think I’ll be forgetting it anytime soon. The tickets were expensive, that’s true, but the experience was great.
I originally went to see this because I wanted to see Ramin, who didn't disappoint. I would have mentioned his acting towards the end - Nicky becomes such a broken man and Ramin really nailed it. I saw the show with Beanie and Jane. Both were miscast. Wish I could see it with Lea and Tovah, but am unwilling to pay current prices. You think the tap dancing here is better than what you saw in Some Like it Hot?
I saw it February 2023 with Lea and I thought she was absolutely fantastic! She blew me away with her skill. Fanny is such a hard role because we are all familiar with Barbara’s portrayal but I loved how she made it her own and how much her vocals have matured since glee. Ramin was also fantastic. I came in with a pretty strong disdain for Nick but he made me sympathize with him and understand his journey a little bit more. The performance I saw Ramin actually fell off the couch during “you are woman I am man”. It was so funny. He broke character and was trying so hard to contain his laughter. The audience was cracking up with him. This all happened when Lea’s back was to him. When she got to the end of the song and was on the couch with him. You could see Lea mouth “are you okay” as he was still trying to contain himself. It was really sweet but still professional.
I was eagerly awaiting this review. I always believed Lea could and would do a great job with the role. I also never doubted her comedic prowess. Glee was, after all, a musical comedy. I found Rachel Berry funny in her over-the-top ambitious and somewhat rigid personality. One of the creators said something to the effect of “Rachel Berry isn’t always aware of how she comes across,” and that made her even funnier. But then she would sing and bring me to tears. She played a star in the making and it was believable because her talent was so real. I am probably biased in liking her voice so much because I watched Glee during formative years so I have a strong emotional connection to it. It’s nice to hear other people say that her voice is fantastic and she really is one of the best. 🥲 … That’s the crux of the Beanie casting for this show. This show was never meant to be a comedy. I consider it mainly a tragedy and, as you said, a star vehicle. When Beanie sang “I am the greatest star,” it was hard to believe her.
@@suz2590 this. Like they never seen those 2 shows. She was hilarious. Especially scream queens. I think lea does great physical comedy with her faces and such. And her timing. But people was always doubting her. Good she proved them wrong.
I saw it in March and thought Lea was great. She saved this production. I may have seen Ramin on an off night because his acting was a little flat, but his singing was superb. I personally hated the brick column in the center of the stage. It gave me castle turret and not Lower East Side brownstone.
You're too young to have ever seen the late Gregory Hines on Broadway. His tap dancing is unmatched, even by his brother. No shade to Jarrod as he is a worthy successor to him for this generation, but Hines WAS THE TAP DANCING MASTER and if you can find any of his stage work on video, you'll understand.
I met Gregory Hines in the Las Vegas airport back in the 80s. I was a professional dancer at the time and it was all I could do to keep from kneeling down and kissing his feet! 😂
Ive never actually seen the whole show or even the whole movie being familiar with the music. I can appreciate the difficulty of doing this show and not trying to follow up after B Streisand because shes a legend.
Thanks! From my understanding, the problem with the Funny Girl story is that Fanny's family and the Arnstein wouldn't allow all of the truth to be told. There has to be a better story there. Not that I know anything about it, but I read a thing or two.
I've read a biography of Fanny and Nick was definitely handled more gently in the show than he was in real life, but the basic elements were there - gambler, con man, lady's man - even after they were married. Frances, their daughter, wouldn't allow them to make more of his nefarious background than they did for the story to move forward. The original title was to be "My Man and the Woman Who Loved Him" or something like that. He hated the song and owned the rights to the song, so wouldn't allow them to use it. He was in NYC when they were putting the show together, but when it opened he decided not to see it because he felt he wouldn't be represented fairly. Too bad, I think he would have been pleased.
Actually Nick was in the first row with Francis and Ray Stark opening night. Nick was ready to sue everyone if not treated fairly in his opinion. Now that all are dead I expected a more truthful representation. Read the book it's a pip
Saw Beanie. Fought for her (in my mind) to be great. Simply a subpar casting for the strength of the show; belting numbers. I felt the staging was old-fashioned, which disadvantaged the production. Frustrating for me was my perceived lack of chemistry between Feldstein and Ramin Karimloo (who drew audience gasps and swoons upon his entrance). Beanie rushed off stage before full blackouts following some romantic scenes. Perhaps running for a quick costume change? It happened more than once and took me out of it. Jane Lynch killed it with confidence and comic ease. Glad I saw it.
5/27/23=2pm l don't watch musical decided to try something different brought my family to see funny girl lea, beanie and the whole staff left us cheering, singing maybe I'm a newbie but I will keep recommending this for everyone
Saw it for the third time this past weekend. Lea has COVID again, so Ephie Aardema filled in for the Friday performance, and was quite good. Lea brought me to tears of joy when we saw her in February. Beanie was incredibly awful when we saw in 2022.
I once literally saw an electrical fire break out and set a background curtain alight at a Rockettes show on tour in Cincinnati. But I still see curtains in the older theaters, so I’m not sure if it’s an insurance issue or not.
Has nothing to do with insurance. It has to do with two things: No one seems to like front curtains anymore - I happen to revere and miss them. But it's a separate hire for the crew - a separate person whose only job it is is to raise and lower the front curtain.
The curtain (flat with curtain painted on) may be a reference to the ad curtain used in vaudeville - a flat used as a curtain with advertisements painted on.
I think you missed why it is called Funny Girl. It is what Nick called her. The show itself is a drama musical about the love story between Fannie and Nick. It has funny moments but it is a musical with many many songs that Fannie sings and what makes a great singer necessary. Keep up the reviews I love your view of things whether I agree or not they are always well thought out
I saw it with Beanie Feldstein and loved it! I’m a big Ramin fan and he’s the reason I went. I wanted to see it again with Lea Michelle but haven’t gotten into the city again. I loved your review.
I just saw it. Lea was fantastic and the rest of the cast was too. I wonder if the follies scenes didn't land with you because they're almost 60 years old. They landed when I was a kid. Now, the humor is dated.
I'll be honest, if I were in town, looking for a show (and with slightly too much money in my pocket), Lea as Fanny would close the deal the way Beanie wouldn't have. If you can’t hijack a TARDIS to see Barbra, why fight it?
I will never go out of my way to see anything with Lea in it which isn't a problem with Funny Girl since it's never been one of my must-see's. But my personal feelings about her aside, I appreciate your fair and balanced review as always!
I saw Beanie a year ago in May and I walked out of the theatre bored. I do love Beanie, but the show fell flat for me with more excitement watching the ensemble.
I've been following the funny girl lore since day 1. im also a huge glee fan so i knew the LM drama also. It was odd going into the show with so much information but Ive loved the soundtrack since it came out and i finally got the chance to actually see it a few weeks ago. Lea was spectacular, and I could tell she brought a lot of life experience and maturity to fanny but played young fanny well also. Ramin's voice was amazing too. The whole cast killed it. I even got to stagedoor!
Now I haven’t actually seen Lea live, but I’ve seen so many clips that I’ve basically watched the whole show. I pretty much agree with almost everything you’ve said. She is fantastic. She sounds great, has great chemistry with the cast, and the final 5 minutes of the show is a top 3 career moment from her. But I disagree that the actress doesn’t necessarily have to funny. While her comedy is a little better than I anticipated, it’s still not the best. It’s inconsistent in the way that it’s good in Ratatat Tat, but not good enough in cornet man, and trying to hard in you are women, greatest star, and the bride show. Especially since I saw Julie preform and she makes the role look fresh and new. Her cover of ITGS is more original than Leas. You can tell she did the most research about FB and is the most inspired by her. Overall, each actress does a great job and anyone who likes a good show will be happy with either of them. But if I had to recommend one, it would be Julie. She gets a 9.5/10 and Lea gets an 8-8.5/10.
I think it is time to forgive Lea for some stupid things she may have done when she was younger. As we age we CHANGE and hopefully gain knowledge and I am sure that Lea has done just that.
In theory yeah but the point is she has never properly addressed this stuff or apologized. Pretty easy when all you have to do to gain forgiveness is just ... wait?
@@Phelie315 " I apologize for my behavior and for any pain which I have caused." " I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people." She had also reached out to several people, personally apologize to them. Maybe judge on how she is working with people now, not on how she didn't meet some obligatory level of apology
@@Phelie315 she did apologize. Which she didn’t need to do. She doesn’t own the public anything. She also apologized to the people she hurt in private which is much more than any public statements. She has acknowledged is numerous times and is actively changing. Her funny girl cast has been praising her. YOU don’t want her to change says more about you then her. Yet are so worried and concerned about what she’s doing. Big fan energy. ✨
It's not for you to accept her apology? Talk is cheap, actions speak volumes. It's easy to tweet an apology. She also only apologized AFTER she tried to jump on BLM and got called out by her black Glee co-stars.
Lea’s good, but in my opinion, Julie Benko is the superior Fanny. She is the perfect combination of amazing vocals and comedy. She really is a Funny Girl
I saw it with Beanie and Lea. It was like night and day. If Lea had been cast from the start, the show may have likely received many more Tony nominations and maybe wins. When it comes to this show, people don’t want an actress playing Fannie Brice. They want an actress playing Barbara Streisand playing Fannie Brice.
You could just stop with "They want an actress playing Barbara Streisand".
This show should be called “Barbra”. Sorry who’s Fanny?.
Was just in NYC last week and saw it. It was also the most I've ever paid for a ticket and also the worst seat I ever got.
@@000euMJ I feel your pain. We just got seats for Lea Michele’s Carnegie Hall concert and we could only get terrible seats.
Had tickets to see it with Lea and she dropped out that night and we got Julie Benko. The theatre was half empty because of the change, so we got moved to the 5th row, and Julie was absolutely show stopping. So superb. The fact that she wasn't a known quantity and was trying to prove herself tied in so deliciously with Fannie's story.
Sounds like it worked out for you.
people are so lame. u already paid for the ticket might as well stay and watch. julie has played fanny over 100 times including being the principal for a couple months. sad that ppl still walk out. so immature.
@@Imani88888888, I suppose if they paid absurd prices for Lea Michele AND had another opportunity to go, it makes sense. They could get a refund. On the other hand, I'd love to see Julie Benko in the role. She seems great.
Agreed. Julie Benko is wonderful.
She would’ve been a better choice than Michelle. Way better acting and more appealing as this character.
I saw it with Beanie and Lea. Beanie was fine but I left thinking I didn’t actually like the story (didn’t know it before) but with Lea her performance hid the flaws of the book really well. I just couldn’t get enough of her performance. I finally get what they mean by “star vehicle.”
Wonderful review! I saw her at the matinee show on Mother’s Day and we thought she was spectacular. My husband cried during the Finale, he said he didn’t know she was going to go there emotionally. She really has a firm grasp of this role in a way I didn’t know she would be able to if that makes sense. One thing I noted was that she seemed a little tired, though her voice never wavered. Two days later it was announced she had Covid, so that makes sense. I thought the show was great fun and that she is stunning in it. Thank you for your review!
This is exactly what I was looking for in the comments. Lea Michelle has a technically immaculate voice but I’ve never seen her in a role with emotional depth enough to justify the casting. Been looking for comments on if she’s pulled that off.
@@hollyro4665 she was incredible, better than I could have imagined. It’s funny because I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time, but the best work I’ve ever seen her do up to this point was a guest spot on “Sons of Anarchy” playing a waitress. She had a cumulative total of maybe 7 minutes of screen time, but was totally believable and real. I loved her in Glee, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t feel like she was encouraged to tap into something deeper very often. She thrives in dramatic and heart wrenching scenes.
I saw the same show, I agree. I wasn't sure what to expect but I thought she was great!
I think the choice to not have a real velvet curtain may be dramaturgical, as Olio Drops/Curtains (large canvases with painted curtains or murals) were very popular in the vaudeville era. It makes a lot of sense when you think of the setting!
This is correct. The entire set is a recreation of a vaudeville set design.
I think they call the large canvas a scrim.
@@jeffreywillstewart No, they don't call it a scrim - a scrim is made of material that you can see through if lit from behind.
Thank you for your review. I have seen Funny Girl twice. Beanie Feldstein four days before opening night and Lea Michelle in December. The difference overall was night and day. The energy from the entire company the second time was infectious. I agree that the book is problematic, but the producer Ray Stark was married to Frances Arnstein and the play was about her parents. I imagine that Isobel Lennart the original author had quite a bit of input. Also, it is a broadway musical from the 1960's and that audience would be quite accepting of the premise of the show. What makes it work is a star performance. I am sure that Barbra Streisand made it work, as Lea Michelle makes it work. I would say I was more away of the book creaking when I saw Beanie Feldstein. Under the circumstances, Harvey Fierstein did a good job. All in all, I thought Lea Michelle was incredible I am most grateful that I went back to see her in it.
It’s well documented that the book and score were written for Barbra Streisand, and essentially all of Act Two was ‘concert of one.’
Even People was written specifically for pop song success. She didn’t make it work- they made it for her.
You're sure that Barbra Streisand made it work? Try watching the movie and you'll see just how she made it work.
I saw Beanie, then I saw LEA. It is amazing how much LEA changed the show, it went from being my least favorite show of the season to the best show on Broadway, thanks to LEA and TOVAH. But then again Ramin also has great chemistry with LEA, which makes the show much better. Jared, who was the best thing of the show, is now accompanied by several excellent artists. Unfortunately, Beanie didn't have chemistry with Ramin, he also didn't get to shine before. Now, with LEA, he has blatant chemistry, and his work is much better. LEA elevated the entire show, this is a star who is a perfectionist, the best vocals on Broadway, but also excellent acting, the layers of her performance, the accent, the gestures. LEA is excellent. Even, watching all the actresses that played Fanny in the concert in the year 2002, that included Sutton Foster and other Broadway divas couldn't get to the level of LEA.
found the simp
I was very curious about Ramin, so thanks for sharing your thoughts! I saw him in Anastasia on Broadway and his vocals were so stunning, everything else paled in comparison. I could see him matching up well with Lea.
Loved your review! I saw the show last Fall with some trepidation because of all the hype and online chatter. Lea blew me away, not just with her spellbinding vocals but the vulnerability she brought to the role. I admit it -- I got a bit emotional towards the end. Ramin, Feldshuh and Grimes were also terrific. (It's a shame this core 4 wasn't the opening cast -- the show's reception at the Tonys would have been very different.) I'm glad to see that the show is still fresh 6 months later -- it makes me want to see this cast at least one more time. Thanks, MJ!
Good to see that someone is actually acknowledge that Ramin is even in this LOL. I want to see him in a show soooooo badly. If I'd had a clue he was yards away in the workshops/trials for Anastasia when I was waiting to go into one of the final shows of the Barnum & Bailey circus, I'd have scalped those tickets in a HEARTBEAT to see Ramin. He seems amazing in shows whereas his concerts seem so lukewarm...
Anyway I'm babbling about one of the few idols I have left either alive or not outed as problematic.
Sadie is my favorite random song from this show...
Right?! I didn’t even know he was in it - all the press has been about the Feldstein/Michele drama. As soon as I saw the bows being taken in this video I was like, “Ramin is in this?!” Why is no one making more of that (apart from Mickey Jo)?
Ramon is incredible ❤️🔥
I saw the show this past March on a Saturday night. Streisand's Funny Girl performance is one of my favorites, especially the singing. In that regard, I thought Lea Michele did wonderfully. I never watched Glee and haven't followed all the gossip about her, so I wasn't laden down with all of that. She just blew me away and she certainly was the best singer in that cast. Oddly enough, when I was a teenager, a high school club I was in took us to NYC to see Tovah Feldshuh in the play, Yentl - a role that Streisand performed on film. (The play was performed in the mid-1970s.) And here I was, all these many years later, seeing Feldshuh for only the second time, on stage, performing in a play which was made into a film starring Barbra Streisand. Small world.
This is one of the fairest and most comprehensive reviews of Funny Girl that I've seen. Your covering the flaws and triumphs is perfectly on point. I was a Glee viewer even though it went at least one and maybe two seasons too long. It was obvious from the pilot episode that from a pure vocal ability standpoint, Ryan Murphy had hit the jackpot when he cast Lea Michele. Throughout the series, even with other excellent singers like Amber Riley, the show would almost always come back to Lea as it's centerpiece. And yes, Lea appears to have had some interpersonal issues (some that were reported were so off the wall that they couldn't be taken seriously) but anyone who questioned her ability as a first class vocalist was way off the mark. So Funny Girl comes along last year and Beanie Feldstein, a wonderful film actress, is miscast in the leading role. Juli Styne wrote the score specially for Streisand and while anyone tackling Fanny Brice is not going to match her, one of the greatest ever, voices still it requires some major league vocal chops to carry the show. Lea isn't the first actress to succeed in the role but she'll likely be considered one of the best, her old "baggage" notwithstanding. Your assessment of not only her obvious skills as singer but also as an actress is one of best and most complete that I've seen. And your shout outs to the other principal cast members are well deserved. Thanks for the excellent review.
Saw it back in January. Really liked the production, and was very enamoured with Lea's performance.
I literally gasped when Ramin came out at the top of Act 2. Felt so embarrassed for myself 😅
I saw it for the second time in February; 6th row center and literally let out a loud “whooo!” when he came out shirtless! Yeah, I was embarrassed at myself too, but hey…we’re only human! Lol
Girl same 😂
I’M NOT ALONE
Hahaha I looked around after my involuntary reaction to make sure no one had seen me
"Hello,Gorgeous!"😍
Great review! I saw it a few weeks ago and pretty much totally agree with everything you've said here. Jared Grimes' tap was incredible and I really liked the set. Definitely found it a more enjoyable production than the West End version a few years ago but the story does drag a lot in Act 2 no matter how much Lea and Ramin were going for it. I really like the August Wilson theatre as well, think it's got an awesome bar area.
Ramin Karimloo was triumphant in the arc of a suave playboy gambler to a truly broken man at the end. He made me cry
Oh Bob, why are you even in this thread??? :) Hi though. Maybe I'll see you at Gelson's.
Thanks for a great review. I saw Lea and company a week ago and it really exceeded my expectations.
Thank you for commenting on Julia Murney’s performance of “People” in the concert version. It was spectacular and a high bar to meet.
That whole concert is WOW! Sutton Foster fresh off Tony win for Millie doing "Greatest Star" and then Lillias White slaying Parade
The wait was worth it! I was on pins and needles waiting and hoping you would like it! What a great review, If you liked it so much, it must be very good. And as someone else stated here, it is time people let go of Lea's behaviors when she was young!!! I am so happy for her to finally get the role she has dreamed of and does it so well. From what I have seen of the staging for this show, it might be similar to the original which I saw on Broadway. Yes, Funny Girl with Barbra was one of the first Broadway show I saw! I wish I was able to see it with Lea the last time I was there so I could say I saw the original and the first revival!😊
Glad you enjoyed! And how incredible that you can say you saw the original production, that's amazing!
I saw Funny girl this past February, and it was my first Broadway show ever and it was fantastic!! As a former gleek and Phan (Phantom of the opera/Love Never dies obsessed fan) seeing Lea AND Ramin together was mind blowing! The story might have some issues but the cast is fantastic I had a blast.
So so glad that you got to see it. I just saw it Tuesday and was blown away by Lea!!
I couldn’t agree more to any of this, she was incredible and personal things aside she was phenomenal. I’d see this show over and over again. ❤
I just saw the show last night, and Lea Michele blew me away, especially the smaller moments. She also made me laugh more than I was expecting. Jared Grimes's tap dancing had my jaw on the floor!
Saw it in the front row. It was everything. Lea is the GOAT!!
BRAVO 👏!!!
Your review is Empire State Building, beautiful and perfect, and way above all the overwritten boring print media. I went for the 3rd time with friends in particular to see the great Tovah Feldshu, a favorite of mine, and she did exactly what I expected, steal every scene with hot sauce. La Feldshu is also at home in dramatic roles. The first time I saw her was in the production of "The three sisters," starring the legendary Rosemary Harris as Olga, Ellen Burstyn as Masha, and the radiant Tovah Feldshu as Irina at the Brooklyn Academy of Music opera house in 1977. She was so beautiful and moved like a gossamer Russian Ballerina. La Harris was magical. Burstyn was doing Tennessee Williams..
I know I’m a dramaturg, but the title ‘Funny Girl’ isn’t because Fanny Brice was a comedian - it’s what Nick calls her. ‘You’re my funny girl’ - it’s a double entendre to the Fanny’s flaw - her vanity (because she wants to be beautiful- not ‘funny’) it’s why she say’s ‘hello gorgeous’, says ‘but isn’t the baby beautiful’ in act two- and most importantly in the reprise of Don’t Rain On My Parade has catharsis.
You're a dramaturg and that somehow makes you an expert on why the show is called Funny Girl? It was called Funny Girl before that line was written, I hate to tell you.
I am pleased that this sounds about as good as it can get (all the limits of the book included). The cast and crew have been through a rollercoaster and it's nice to know their work has been worth it. At a time when it is hard to keep shows open it's good there are these sort of big ticket shows that are worth the money (although a bit less for tickets might be nice).
Wonderful review, because it was pretty much my opinion all the way down the line - particularly Who Are You Now Reprise. The song even sounded good with Beanie! Re: the curtain...this was posted somewhere early on that they ordered a curtain, but cancelled the order because they ran out of money. Whether that's the case or not, who knows. Beanie was miscast for so many reasons, not just her voice, but her acting skills. Lea is right there from the beginning and it is very hard not to fall in love with her. I knew nothing about her before this - my interest in FG was Ramin and watching his breakdown in FG is top notch. As for Julie, I saw a boot and while she is a good actress, she doesn't have the "star" quality needed to carry the show. She's acting and you can tell she's acting. The other thing was the lack of chemistry. I saw her with the understudy - which was beyond tame, but somehow I think her sensuality is lacking with Ramin as well. This wa also an issue with Beanie. If the audience doesn't believe these two are passionately connected, there is no show. The casting of Lea and Ramin is perfection. (Lots more kissing than with the other two.) Tovah won me over in her first scene with Lea - tugged my heart strings and had me tear up. Jared's dancing is glorious, but his acting is not so great. So happy you finally posted your thoughts.
I have checked your channel every day since I saw your IG Story that you attended waiting or your review (commenting before I've even watched lol)
Great review! I saw the show back in October 2022. My biggest complaint was the tap number in Act 2. Lea looked uncomfortable. I wish the creative team had changed that number out with song, “The Swan” written for the film.
I think at the Savoy you could really _feel_ that it was a production that had transferred from a venue that can seat 200 people if some of them sit on the floor. It was really obvious with the costumes, imo - the understudy costumes were the old principal costumes from the Menier, and were much more muted, resulting in Natasha Barnes's Fanny being visually overwhelmed by the ensemble at several points. I imagine the lack of set came directly from that.
I'd be curious to know how much they leant into Nick Arnstein's descent into drunken(implied) abuse. There's one particular scene in the second act, where Fanny's surreptitiously set up a business deal for him and he works out that she's behind it, where the London alternates played it in such a way that you actually feared for Fanny's safety. It rang very true.
Good review of Funny Girl. Coming to San Francisco the road show, but realize without a Star performance could be a long night at the theater. Trip to New York if I was a rich man.
I saw it once with Beanie and once with Lea. Lea’s singing was phenomenally better and Beanie’s acting was funnier. But to be fair, I sat 7th row with Beanie and 5th from the last row of the balcony with Lea because of the price differences. So perhaps I just couldn’t SEE Lea’s physical comedy as well
Terrific review ! I want to go see this now !!
I saw Lea at the end of last month in Funny Girl on Broadway and she was so cute! I loved every second of her being Fanny Brice. I adored Funny Girl so much. It felt like I was alive again. Lea is the best and I love her so much! 🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️
I saw Julie Benko last year and she was incredible. I had never seen the show but she absolutely blew me away with her voice, her character acting, and her comedic timing. A true star!
I did not see Lea Michelle on Broadway. I did see her perform "Don't Rain on My Parade" on the Tony Awards. But I did see BARBRA STREISAND on Broadway 4 times. All I can say is the obvious: Lea Michelle ain't no Barbra Streisand. That being said, she did more than a credible job, and I can see why she should have been cast from the start (I've seen what Beanie can - or cannot - do and still would love to know who sold whom on the idea of Beanie Feldstein being able to carry such a show?!). Bad rep off stage or not, Lea can deliver the goods. Just not quite like Streisand. (No one ever can.)
Enjoyed your review , especially since you were there to actually experience it in person. For myself it was a very surreal experience considering I was a huge Glee fan, watching as her character was chosen to play Fanny in a Broadway revival.
I totally agree with everything you said in your review. I was totally impressed and blown away by Lea Michele’s performance. People don’t go to Funny Girl for the book, nor the comedy and acting achievements of its lead actress. They go for the music. No matter who’s preforming the role people are going to compare the vocals to Streisand.
Streisand still owns it! Lea however, is the ideal tenant that was given an indefinite lease.
Funny Girl is going on tour and will becoming to my town. Which I most likely will not be going. For I will be one of the people comparing Its Fanny to Lea Michele. It would not be fair to the actress of the touring company.
I saw Spring Awakening in 2007, that trip I also saw Wicked, Taymor's Magic Flute, and Osage. The unknown Lea was the only thing that stuck with me.
Absolutely agree with you about the duet between Lea and Ramin…fabulous.
I saw Julie Benko in February and wow… she blew me away. Like I’m not a crier or anything and I grew up watching FG… but I was tearing up once she started singing. She’s amazing! The cast and the show itself was absolutely wonderful and I’m so glad I chose to go. Even my husband, who knows nothing about the drama or the show, walked out blown away. He audibly said “holy shit” after DROMP 🤣🫶🏼
I saw funny girl on broadway twice first time with beanie and the second time when I won the lottery I saw Julie benko. Both actresses were amazing 😊
I saw Lea Michelle in The German Play about Masturbating Teens aka Spring Awakening.
Her personality and personal charisma on stage is so wildly different from how she comes off in interviews or on Glee. She’s the rare actor who might have been best served by being “shy” in her dealing with the press. In SA, I really hurt for her and wanted to protect her. You’d never guess how massively unsympathetic she comes across in other media. I remember being gobsmacked during one of her really awful interviews about her boyfriend before he died. That said, all this means: She’s a very skilled stage actress.
I deliberately went when Beanie was at a wedding and Julie Benko would be performing. Crowd went crazy for Julie and about fifty waited at the stage door. Saw Beanie on The View and thought weak reedy voice.. Saw Julie as Fantine and knew she could sing
August Wilson theater had a red velvet curtain for Jersey Boys
Great review- you hit on something that a lot of people don't realize. Funny Girl is NOT intended to be a comedy. Beanie, and to some degree, Julie Benko, focus on mugging and being comedic. Lea rightfully plays to the actual story- the rise to fame and the romance between her and Nick. It's why it works better now than it did when it first opened.
This right here. 🙌🏼👏🏼 you hit the nail of funny girl perfectly.
Exacly👏👏👏👏
Thanks so much for the review. Sierra Boggess will always be Ramin perfect and heartwarming together.
I saw it last week with Ephie Aardema as Fanny!!! She was so fantastic and really stole the show for me!! Wonderful stage presence!!!
How does Lea do? Suffice it to say I've now seen the show 5 times and counting. all with Lea. She single handedly saved the show from closing early.
... a charming, sensitively perspicacious revue MJ'... always interesting with perspectives from someone so impressionably young and fresh ( & that's from my antique perspective ;) ).... using comparisons, explanations & verifications I'd never have thought of... thank you! ... clearly the show is not really about being a comedy.... it's a dramatic avalanche of a musical, about the life of a successful comedic performer set in a specific time & place.., who had to rise above her own many insecurities .. among them, her unusual looks in a world where beauty 'n glamour rang Primo!... a common sentiment even today for many/... We know she was considered side-splittingly funny in self-deprecating ways... & most importantly .... which is why THAT aspect is established almost immediately in the show... so now That's understood.. we're taken behind the fire~curtain to see the flip side of that intimate personal projection... / So in effect.. the show is about being a "Starring Vehicle" for someone really magnificently talented .... which is why the central figure must be iconic.. constantly on stage.. someone to idolize... so .. like going to see a LIZA show 'n so on... the central casting is complicitly THE key factor in the success of the overall impression & focus, one might say .... once that aspect works.... as it did with Bab's live and in the movie ... the rest of the show is apt to resemble an after'dinne'mint..... I'm intimately interested in many productions of Funny Girl around the world... I've not see this particular production as yet... but from the sounds of things, Lea Michele has her foot in the stirrup of a winning pony! .. if she can keep her cool in an impossible industry, she my join the ranks of adored memorable's .. ;)
Grimes - glorious. Karimloo - I suppose “sheer rubber” is a puzzling response, but during the seduction scene, he bounces off the couch, onto the floor, - & then back UP again! Still don’t know how. And watching a marriage crumble along with the character of one person & the dreams of the other…. The movie didn’t prompt me to feel the pain of that, but the Broadway show did. And Lea created a multidimensional person at the show’s core. Don’t know if the show could have kept me awake otherwise.
Ramin injured his elbow from bouncing on and off that couch!
My first show sitting orchestra in the fifth row center I felt like she was staring at me while performing. I’ll never forget it
12:22 "Various Sad Reprises" is the ideal title for my future memoirs lol
Great review! Thank you!
I remember loving the Hello Dolly red curtain. Lush!
I think Tony's need an award for Best Replacement Performance - open to someone who didn't originate a role in a new show, but is doing a big lift with an ongoing show. Lea Michelle clearly would have been nominated for that, but there's a case for many other performers who replace the original cast in long running shows.
Don’t worry about how expensive the tickets where that’s what we (your channel members) give you money for 😉😉
I saw Funny Girl with Lea, and her performance was sublime. I don’t think I’ll be forgetting it anytime soon. The tickets were expensive, that’s true, but the experience was great.
I originally went to see this because I wanted to see Ramin, who didn't disappoint. I would have mentioned his acting towards the end - Nicky becomes such a broken man and Ramin really nailed it.
I saw the show with Beanie and Jane. Both were miscast. Wish I could see it with Lea and Tovah, but am unwilling to pay current prices.
You think the tap dancing here is better than what you saw in Some Like it Hot?
I did standing room only and paid $45. But i had to get there 3 hours before the show started.
Damn you're good. So perceptive and articulate. Rock on.
Great review. TY! ❤
I saw it with Beanie and Julie. Beanie was cute but vocally not up to the task. Julie Benko is a true star. She’s amazing in all ways.
I saw it February 2023 with Lea and I thought she was absolutely fantastic! She blew me away with her skill. Fanny is such a hard role because we are all familiar with Barbara’s portrayal but I loved how she made it her own and how much her vocals have matured since glee.
Ramin was also fantastic. I came in with a pretty strong disdain for Nick but he made me sympathize with him and understand his journey a little bit more. The performance I saw Ramin actually fell off the couch during “you are woman I am man”. It was so funny. He broke character and was trying so hard to contain his laughter. The audience was cracking up with him. This all happened when Lea’s back was to him. When she got to the end of the song and was on the couch with him. You could see Lea mouth “are you okay” as he was still trying to contain himself. It was really sweet but still professional.
I've been waiting for this one!!!!
I was eagerly awaiting this review. I always believed Lea could and would do a great job with the role. I also never doubted her comedic prowess. Glee was, after all, a musical comedy. I found Rachel Berry funny in her over-the-top ambitious and somewhat rigid personality. One of the creators said something to the effect of “Rachel Berry isn’t always aware of how she comes across,” and that made her even funnier. But then she would sing and bring me to tears. She played a star in the making and it was believable because her talent was so real. I am probably biased in liking her voice so much because I watched Glee during formative years so I have a strong emotional connection to it. It’s nice to hear other people say that her voice is fantastic and she really is one of the best. 🥲 … That’s the crux of the Beanie casting for this show. This show was never meant to be a comedy. I consider it mainly a tragedy and, as you said, a star vehicle. When Beanie sang “I am the greatest star,” it was hard to believe her.
I don't get why people didn't think Lea could do comedy after glee and Scream Queens.
@@suz2590 this. Like they never seen those 2 shows. She was hilarious. Especially scream queens. I think lea does great physical comedy with her faces and such. And her timing. But people was always doubting her. Good she proved them wrong.
I saw it in March and thought Lea was great. She saved this production.
I may have seen Ramin on an off night because his acting was a little flat, but his singing was superb.
I personally hated the brick column in the center of the stage. It gave me castle turret and not Lower East Side brownstone.
You're too young to have ever seen the late Gregory Hines on Broadway. His tap dancing is unmatched, even by his brother. No shade to Jarrod as he is a worthy successor to him for this generation, but Hines WAS THE TAP DANCING MASTER and if you can find any of his stage work on video, you'll understand.
I met Gregory Hines in the Las Vegas airport back in the 80s. I was a professional dancer at the time and it was all I could do to keep from kneeling down and kissing his feet! 😂
Amazing! I really trust you and love your complex opinion
Saw it with Lea Michelle. Fantastic!
Great job, Mickey Jo.
Thanks!
Almost saw it. Waited 2 hours for standing room tickets but the line cut off LITERALLY right before me.
Ouch! 😕
Ive never actually seen the whole show or even the whole movie being familiar with the music. I can appreciate the difficulty of doing this show and not trying to follow up after B Streisand because shes a legend.
Positively spot on!
Thanks! From my understanding, the problem with the Funny Girl story is that Fanny's family and the Arnstein wouldn't allow all of the truth to be told. There has to be a better story there. Not that I know anything about it, but I read a thing or two.
I've read a biography of Fanny and Nick was definitely handled more gently in the show than he was in real life, but the basic elements were there - gambler, con man, lady's man - even after they were married. Frances, their daughter, wouldn't allow them to make more of his nefarious background than they did for the story to move forward. The original title was to be "My Man and the Woman Who Loved Him" or something like that. He hated the song and owned the rights to the song, so wouldn't allow them to use it. He was in NYC when they were putting the show together, but when it opened he decided not to see it because he felt he wouldn't be represented fairly. Too bad, I think he would have been pleased.
Actually Nick was in the first row with Francis and Ray Stark opening night. Nick was ready to sue everyone if not treated fairly in his opinion. Now that all are dead I expected a more truthful representation. Read the book it's a pip
Saw Beanie. Fought for her (in my mind) to be great. Simply a subpar casting for the strength of the show; belting numbers. I felt the staging was old-fashioned, which disadvantaged the production. Frustrating for me was my perceived lack of chemistry between Feldstein and Ramin Karimloo (who drew audience gasps and swoons upon his entrance). Beanie rushed off stage before full blackouts following some romantic scenes. Perhaps running for a quick costume change? It happened more than once and took me out of it. Jane Lynch killed it with confidence and comic ease. Glad I saw it.
5/27/23=2pm l don't watch musical decided to try something different brought my family to see funny girl lea, beanie and the whole staff left us cheering, singing maybe I'm a newbie but I will keep recommending this for everyone
Saw it for the third time this past weekend. Lea has COVID again, so Ephie Aardema filled in for the Friday performance, and was quite good. Lea brought me to tears of joy when we saw her in February. Beanie was incredibly awful when we saw in 2022.
I once literally saw an electrical fire break out and set a background curtain alight at a Rockettes show on tour in Cincinnati. But I still see curtains in the older theaters, so I’m not sure if it’s an insurance issue or not.
Has nothing to do with insurance. It has to do with two things: No one seems to like front curtains anymore - I happen to revere and miss them. But it's a separate hire for the crew - a separate person whose only job it is is to raise and lower the front curtain.
The curtain (flat with curtain painted on) may be a reference to the ad curtain used in vaudeville - a flat used as a curtain with advertisements painted on.
I think you missed why it is called Funny Girl. It is what Nick called her. The show itself is a drama musical about the love story between Fannie and Nick. It has funny moments but it is a musical with many many songs that Fannie sings and what makes a great singer necessary. Keep up the reviews I love your view of things whether I agree or not they are always well thought out
She has the right to work as an actress but other performers and actors also have the right to work in a good working environment
And that's what they're getting. Her FG family LOVES her.
I saw it with Beanie Feldstein and loved it! I’m a big Ramin fan and he’s the reason I went. I wanted to see it again with Lea Michelle but haven’t gotten into the city again. I loved your review.
I just saw it. Lea was fantastic and the rest of the cast was too. I wonder if the follies scenes didn't land with you because they're almost 60 years old. They landed when I was a kid. Now, the humor is dated.
Seeing it in NY next month and can’t wait!
I'll be honest, if I were in town, looking for a show (and with slightly too much money in my pocket), Lea as Fanny would close the deal the way Beanie wouldn't have. If you can’t hijack a TARDIS to see Barbra, why fight it?
Are you going to see MJ in London? If so Myles Frost from Broadway is playing him and he's amazing!!!
A painting of a curtain sounds like a high school production ngl
My high school had a proper curtain.😀
As did mine,50 years ago
I will never go out of my way to see anything with Lea in it which isn't a problem with Funny Girl since it's never been one of my must-see's. But my personal feelings about her aside, I appreciate your fair and balanced review as always!
Stop cancel culture..
@@dhritidutta6231 lol
Why what did Lea do to you ?
OMG hey i hope you'te going to the love never dies concert
I saw Beanie a year ago in May and I walked out of the theatre bored. I do love Beanie, but the show fell flat for me with more excitement watching the ensemble.
9:05 Didn’t know you were a basso profondo!
Lea michele is the star ❤
I saw Sheridan Smith at The Savoy Theatre too and thought she was fantastic.
I've been following the funny girl lore since day 1. im also a huge glee fan so i knew the LM drama also. It was odd going into the show with so much information but Ive loved the soundtrack since it came out and i finally got the chance to actually see it a few weeks ago. Lea was spectacular, and I could tell she brought a lot of life experience and maturity to fanny but played young fanny well also. Ramin's voice was amazing too. The whole cast killed it. I even got to stagedoor!
Wait, was the song you opened the video with from SMASH? It sounds like "Cut, Print, Moving On", haha.
That's exactly what it was 😅
@@MickeyJoTheatre Haha, as a no. 1 stan of Bombshell, I caught it right away! 💗
Can we get your thoughts on the Sunset Boulevard revival announcements??
Now I haven’t actually seen Lea live, but I’ve seen so many clips that I’ve basically watched the whole show. I pretty much agree with almost everything you’ve said. She is fantastic. She sounds great, has great chemistry with the cast, and the final 5 minutes of the show is a top 3 career moment from her. But I disagree that the actress doesn’t necessarily have to funny. While her comedy is a little better than I anticipated, it’s still not the best. It’s inconsistent in the way that it’s good in Ratatat Tat, but not good enough in cornet man, and trying to hard in you are women, greatest star, and the bride show. Especially since I saw Julie preform and she makes the role look fresh and new. Her cover of ITGS is more original than Leas. You can tell she did the most research about FB and is the most inspired by her. Overall, each actress does a great job and anyone who likes a good show will be happy with either of them. But if I had to recommend one, it would be Julie. She gets a 9.5/10 and Lea gets an 8-8.5/10.
Exactly!!!
I think it is time to forgive Lea for some stupid things she may have done when she was younger. As we age we CHANGE and hopefully gain knowledge and I am sure that Lea has done just that.
In theory yeah but the point is she has never properly addressed this stuff or apologized. Pretty easy when all you have to do to gain forgiveness is just ... wait?
@@Phelie315 " I apologize for my behavior and for any pain which I have caused." " I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people." She had also reached out to several people, personally apologize to them. Maybe judge on how she is working with people now, not on how she didn't meet some obligatory level of apology
@@Phelie315 she did apologize. Which she didn’t need to do. She doesn’t own the public anything. She also apologized to the people she hurt in private which is much more than any public statements. She has acknowledged is numerous times and is actively changing. Her funny girl cast has been praising her. YOU don’t want her to change says more about you then her. Yet are so worried and concerned about what she’s doing. Big fan energy. ✨
@@Phelie315 she also doesn’t owe you a specific apology as she did. Nothing to you 😂😂 but keep being a fan
It's not for you to accept her apology? Talk is cheap, actions speak volumes. It's easy to tweet an apology. She also only apologized AFTER she tried to jump on BLM and got called out by her black Glee co-stars.
Lea’s good, but in my opinion, Julie Benko is the superior Fanny. She is the perfect combination of amazing vocals and comedy. She really is a Funny Girl
Would have loved to get to see both!
Julie is good but to me she doesn’t have the STAR presence but seems like a good stand by and that is hard to be
Thanks!