FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 82

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 12:24pm

^This is correct - people that already bought tix (before reviews, before noms) aren't able to simply change their minds - because whether anyone sits in a seat or not doesn't matter once it's sold.

 

And let's face it: ALL the word of mouth is not ALL bad - nearly every review or other article that has come out has hundreds of comments about how much the show was loved by the audience. It doesn't matter how educated or "right" that opinion is, but it's strong with "Never listen to critics, the show was terrific, we loved it."   Hell, I read a comment (can't remember if it was discussed here or somewhere else) that someone was going to now purposefully attend and cheer for Beanie, no matter what simply because the reviews were " mean".  

 

Sales and quality have never been synonymous.

[Papi2013]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 3:12pm

Tons of junk has done well at first.  And lets not forget the garbage that has become mega hits.  Cats anyone?   

 

I think this will die out after its advance is gone.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 4:01pm

Though it’s now seen as one hot mess of a musical, CATS arrived on Broadway in 1982 with a record-breaking advance ticket sales due in part to the huge hit it was in London (having made its premiere there in 1981).  Reviews of course were mixed, but it was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning 7 including Best Musical and a Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony Award for Betty Buckley.  It’s global popularity kept it running at the Winter Garden Theatre for 18 years.  It’s closing was even pushed back due to a surge in ticket sales.   

[Up In One]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 5:35pm

"Before they even opened, they were well sold into mid-July. There won’t be an effect for awhile."

Dunno about that it doesn't look like they are selling well the last two weeks of June or all of July. A quick check of Seat Geek shows a majority of seats unsold except for matinees. When they went on sale originally they were heavily discounted - so even that first blast of sales needed incentive. It will probably be a good TKTS ticket through the summer. 

 

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 5:43pm

goldenboy said: "Perhaps Jeremy Jordan can replace Beannie in Funny Girl .

That would be an improvement.

Can't believe the grosses are holding up with this poor word of mouth.

Can't believe the grosses are holding up with the not so good reviews.

From what I've read here - she has a "pay or play" contract until the end of the year. In any event, since the consensus is the production would not have happened without certain financial support, it is unlikely Beanie would be recast unless she showed some self-awareness and bowed out or had a minor injury preventing her from continuing.

As someone else commented here - I did a quick check on tickets available mid to the end of July and the theater is going to be pretty much empty unless there is a miracle. Even early on - during the previews, they were pitching open tables at the Henry Street Coffee Shop in June and July, encouraging people to buy tickets. Doesn't appear that it worked and the lack of Tony nods appears to have sealed the deal for an early closing.


"

 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 7:23pm

I’m yet to see any actual proof that Beanie’s family helped finance the production. Seems like baseless gossip to me. 

[KFC1991]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 10:17pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I’m yet to see any actual proof that Beanie’s family helped finance the production. Seems like baseless gossip to me."

Thank you. I'm not saying it's not true but I need more than baseless gossip. Especially since this gossip conveniently fits a narrative about her that existed before this production was even announced. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 11:04pm

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 11:06pm

Any show pulling a million a week mid 2022 is doing remarkably well. The production seems to be effectively moving toward more TKTS sales for weeknights and the midweek matinee, which is hardly a death knell. If the weekends drop off, it might be more trend setting. But using the app I notice that seats are sold early at the booth and are then exhausted. They’re selling whatever is released. With grosses still hit numbers one surmises only some unsold seats are sold thus.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 10:55am

Once the advance for this dries up, this will be done for by early 2023 at the very latest. The last Carousel revival (which received better reviews than this) was gone in the fall of 2017 after opening in the spring of the same year. The nostalgia for Funny Girl may be greater than that of Carousel, but I don't think it will be enough to keep this running a long time without great reviews.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 11:34am

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I’m yet to see any actual proof that Beanie’s family helped finance the production. Seems like baseless gossip to me."

Thank you. I scoured my Playbill trying to figure out a familial connection, and if there's one there that we don't see, help us out.

(On a related note, where's the evidence of that pay-or-play contract?)

As to longevity, I see this closing New Year's. It's doing fine but I anticipate the drop-off post Labor Day will be rough. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 11:42am

“Angel” investors and actor contracts aren’t public record.  Now, if the documents “leak”, there’s no control over that. Top tier talent is generally on a pay-for-play contract that protects them if a show pulls the plug suddenly or they are replaced by the producers.  The pay-for-play contract states they will still be paid for the length of time they were contracted for regardless what happens.  It’s an actor’s “job security” even if they are fired a week into performances.  

[soxboy22]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 12:10pm

What’s a run of the play contract?  I think I first heard the rem watching ‘All About Eve’. :)

[Papi2013]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 12:14pm

KFC1991 said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "I’m yet to see any actual proof that Beanie’s family helped finance the production. Seems like baseless gossip to me."

Thank you. I'm not saying it's not true but I need more than baseless gossip. Especially since this gossip conveniently fits a narrative about her that existed before this production was even announced."

None of this would matter if she was at least a decent Fanny Brice.  No one would care how she got there if she was delivering the goods.  The questioning of her casting comes from rumors salted with utter frustration.

[Penna2]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 12:31pm

Papi2013 said: "KFC1991 said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "I’m yet to see any actual proof that Beanie’s family helped finance the production. Seems like baseless gossip to me."

Thank you. I'm not saying it's not true but I need more than baseless gossip. Especially since this gossip conveniently fits a narrative about her that existed before this production was even announced."

None of this would matter if she was at least a decent Fanny Brice. No one would care how she got there if she was delivering the goods. The questioning of her casting comes from rumors salted with utter frustration."

Precisely that. When I saw the first ad (footsteps...Hello, Gorgeous), I was intrigued. Checked out her singing skills. Found one...one video of a duet with someone - Ben Platt? Very weak voice. Sweet...on pitch...very careful - so not a seasoned vocalist. Wondered WTH. It was from a few years back, so thought maybe she has improved. Then another one showed up and Nope, no real improvement. Then her story about how she got the role. Sent them a tape, then sent them some audios. Really? for a lead role on a major Broadway revival. No way. So I checked out her family. I happened to work for some people who utilize her father's firm. Major entertainment management and accounting. Is it possible none of this matters? Sure, anything is possible. Just not likely. I would never have looked any further if I had found some videos on YouTube, like those for Julie Benko, singing like a Broadway talent, I wouldn't have given her family a second thought. 

So, yeah, utter frustration because one of my favorite performers is in the show and this affected him and everyone else involved, vis-a-vis, Tony nominations. I doubt anyone would have cared about the sets and costumes if the lead was better.

It is what it is and the show will run its course. Sad, I was really excited about both the show and Ramin. I am still a fan of Ramin's and hope his next venture is worthy of his talents.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 12:35pm

soxboy22 said: "What’s a run of the play contract? I think I first heard the rem watching ‘All About Eve’. :)"

Wrong film, amigo.  It’s VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.

 

[soxboy22]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 1:14pm

LOL.

 

Errrrrrr…….

 

https://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/e37f0848-9d13-4678-be12-216e036227c9

 

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 1:40pm

soxboy22 said: "LOL.

Errrrrrr…….

https://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/e37f0848-9d13-4678-be12-216e036227c9

Everybody wants one.  The most coveted of contracts.  

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 1:46pm

soxboy22 said: "LOL.



Errrrrrr…….



https://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/e37f0848-9d13-4678-be12-216e036227c9"

 

Thanks, soxboy.   LOVE  IT  

 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 2:48pm

So basically everyone is admitting that the claim that her rich movie star brother made the production happen is based on zero evidence. Glad we cleared that up.

Although I am surprised to hear that she did not audition in person, but rather via tape (this is common nowadays but probably not for the lead in a multi-million dollar Broadway show), keep in mind that she is sort of a B-list celebrity. Evidently between her film work (including a Golden Globe-nominated performance in the comedy Booksmart), her performance in Hello Dolly, and whatever Fanny sides she submitted on tape were collectively enough to convince Michael Mayer and the producers that she could do it. I believe it. Well known film actors are frequently offered starring roles on Broadway without auditioning at all.

Also in mind also that this production is - from what I've gathered - kind of sort of a transfer of the production Michael Mayer directed in London with Sheridan Smith. There was talk of bringing that production to Broadway and for whatever reason Smith didn't continue with it, but the powers that be wanted it to happen and looked for a replacement star. On paper, Beanie - a relatively young up and comer with a good deal of recent acclaim on both film and stage - seemed like a decent choice. Sheridan Smith doesn't have an amazing voice either, but based on the reviews I've read and the couple of clips I've seen, she sang well enough and was very funny and charming. I can totally see how they felt Beanie would at least get the job done and be a decent substitute for Smith.

Anyway, there is nothing to suggest anyone "bought" the role for her, so let's just stop spreading that rumor. I'm sure she is having a very tough time with the reviews and not even getting nominated for the Tony, so let's at least give her the dignity of having earned the role properly, even if it was obviously a bad choice.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 2:59pm

What clips?  There’s like 2 clips of her singing and they are maybe 10 seconds long and not the main section of the songs where she struggles nightly.  See the show and make your own assessment instead of reading about it.  I saw the second preview.  I actually DID see the show so my assessment has more validity than your assumptions which are based on what you read.  Heresay has zero weight in any court.  

[OldTheatreLover]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 3:11pm

I’m sorry but this entire production smells like a vanity project whether or not it can be proven as such. The casting leaves no room for any other logic. 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 3:11pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I'm sure she is having a very tough time with the reviews and not even getting nominated for the Tony"

I don't care.  Feldman is solely responsibe for her reviews and for not being nominated for a Tony Award.

 

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 4:12pm

Highland Guy said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "I'm sure she is having a very tough time with the reviews and not even getting nominated for the Tony"

I don't care. Feldman is solely responsibe for her reviews and for not being nominated for a Tony Award.


^ THIS. I'm sorry, but she is not good in the role. At all. She is totally wrong for the part, and can't pull it off. FWIW, I don't care how she (or any other performer for that matter) got the role or if they auditioned or not, what I care about is the performance that is given to paying audiences. I have a hard time feeling sorry for her for getting bad reviews and not getting a Tony nomination after I suffered through her lackluster performance.

 

[soxboy22]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 4:37pm

Funny' how interesting one casting decision came about, with pages and pages, and chapters and chapters written about it in several books, a daughter's annoyance, a producer's demands, the heartbreak, the joy: Streisand in Funny Girl.

Updated On: 5/20/22 at 04:37 PM