Maybe it's a performance that needs to be seen. Not saying it's terrible by any means, but she isn't exactly a powerhouse vocalist and it's hard to forget Barbara's performance.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I listened to it the other day and was thoroughly unimpressed. Sadly, I think this might be a show where no matter who plays the role, I'll always just wish it was Streisand. But Smith's performance (based on the disc) is not anything I'd ever say I'd need to see live.
But the point is she acts the role excellently, even if her singing is nothing special. I haven't listening to the cast recording because I feel no need to hear her sing the score again, and yet she gave one of my favorite performances of the year.
Sheridan is a warm and vulnerable Fanny, but vocally can't compare with Streisand. I also missed the yiddish comedian that the musical represents. Also missing is a character arc; we don't see Fanny mature and harden with fame and a troubled marriage. Still, I found Sheridan warm, loving and compelling.
This recording makes me dream of a production with Jessie Mueller. That would be too wonderful.
Sheridan sounds capable. I'm sure she acts the part wonderfully, but she doesn't conjure up the memory of Fanny Brice for me. I kind of think that she's miscast.
Btw Sheridan kind of sounds like Jane Krakowski on this recording.
She's not that much better when seen. It's such a missed opportunity, this revival. So underwhelmingly designed and directed, with a below-par leading lady. The cast recording is a catastrophe. I can't wait for this to close and be replaced by the exciting Dreamgirls.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
I should clarify I'm listening it through Apple Music with an Australian subscription.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I like the orchestrations and I like that they included some material I hadn't heard before like "Temporary Arrangement" and "What Do Happy People Do?" though I'm not sure if those songs really add anything. I like Seridan's performance of the title "Funny Girl" song from the film but she just doesn't have the kind of voice that we're used to hearing sing this score. I don't think that's her fault exactly. She's just miscast. It's also possible that Barbra's shadow simply looms too large over this role for anyone to ever be able to effectively reinterpret it. For some reason it doesn't seem to be like Mamma Rose where each new actress is welcomed and lauded for her interpretation. The reaction to anyone else playing Fanny Bryce tends to always be "she's not Barbra" and I don't know if that will ever change.
The role of Fanny is like the role of Audrey. Others can play them and some might even do a good job, but they will always be compared to the originals. And a large part of that has to do with the films being so iconic.