Theatre Gossip #461, The "Merrily, We Go to Hell" Edition

Actually, the worst production for me of Merrily was the Encores. Lyn Manuel sucked and they actually changed the last scene so that all three of them met for the first time. It made zero sense. And I too liked the original the best, maybe because it had a subtlety that the others didn't. The later versions had Gussie coming in earlier and earlier and the connections between everyone was so convoluted the it was completly unbelievable. And yes, my second favorite was the Fiasco version.

Which is your favorite version of Follies, OP?

No love for the DC production with Esparza, Miriam Shor, and Michael Hayden? My favorite so far.

The DC Sondheim festival production of MERRILY was my favorite, also. Overall, I did not like the Encores! production, and I've gone back and forth about whether the idea to have Frank meet Charley (as well as Mary) for the first time on the rooftop is a good one. I think I've decided that it is, and I don't see anything about it that doesn't make sense, because I think it's credible that Frank and Charley would use the word "pal" to refer to each other as a friendly gesture even though they've just met. I do like the idea that the rooftop scene is ground zero in terms of none of the three main characters having ever met before.

One of the last posters on the last thread seemed to be suggesting that Frank and Charley could roll their eyes at the producer suggesting they write songs like "Some Enchanted Evening." I don't think so. The point of that lyric was that the producer didn't hum the tune--he was really off--giving the lie to hummable melodies. I thought it was one of the smartest lyrics in the score.

[quote] The rooftop scene could be solved just by having actual young actors do it. The characters call each other by name in that scene anyway, so the audience wouldn't be confused. You could even have the older actors appear in the shadows at the rear of the stage singing harmonies in Our Time, and of course coming forward for the curtain call immediately after, to round out the arc of the show.

I’ve seen this attempted, in LA in 2016 in a production with Wayne Brady as Charlie.

They had young versions of the three introduced at the party (the young Mary was given the “No, what do you really do?” bit, and the young Frank spoke the “I wanna be like you” bit to Frank. Don’t remember how they introduced Charlie). Then throughout the show they were a constant presence, usually dancing during the “Merrily” scene changes. At the last scene on the rooftop, the scene started with the olds, but the youngs took over immediately and played the rest of the scene while the olds stepped back and watched.

It was an interesting choice, but not completely successful.

The best production of MWRA I’ve seen was a tiny equity waver in LA right after the original closed. It used the graduation scenes, but was more realistically staged than the Bway version.

I doubt I’ll ever see the graduation scenes again. Pity.

The Fiasco production adopted the business of having the actors reach into the trunk, or the rack, to put on bits of costume. Prince wrote somewhere that that's what he'd had in mind, but gave it up in favor of those sweatshirts.

On stage Lonny Price was so electrifying in Franklin Shepard Inc. and it is such a good number it was one of those things where even if you thought the character's motivation was unjustified to behave in such a way on TV you went along with it because it was such a tremendous moment of musical theater. Not everything in a musical has to make perfect sense if the spirit of the story is kept and the performer stops the show.

I don't disagree with any of that, but the fact remains that, if you think about it, Charley is a very unlikable character for his CONSTANT criticism of Frank for his life choice and, most particularly, for that horrendous take-down on live TV.

Lonny Price was terrific--you couldn't take your eyes off him--but there's no denying that the character was really whiny.

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1992, "Five Guys Named Moe" opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

[quote]One of the last posters on the last thread seemed to be suggesting that Frank and Charley could roll their eyes at the producer suggesting they write songs like "Some Enchanted Evening." I don't think so. The point of that lyric was that the producer didn't hum the tune--he was really off--giving the lie to hummable melodies. I thought it was one of the smartest lyrics in the score.

Sorry, but I think you REALLY misunderstood that moment. First of all, the producer is not "really off" when he sings the tune of "Some Enchanted Evening," and I can only guess that it may sound "off to you" because of the key in which he sings it. And as for someone's comment in the previous thread, I'm sure we're not supposed to think that Joe, the producer, thinks he's making up that melody. I'm sure he realizes he's quoting a melody from SOUTH PACIFIC, and is doing so very pointedly.

Right; the producer IS quoting a melody from South Pacific--he's just MISquoting it. And that's the joke. Go listen again.

R12, I think you're the one who should listen again. I'm almost certain he is singing the melody correctly, and to repeat, I guess it sounds wrong to you because he sings it in an unusual key -- and also, he changes key, or at least octaves, between the first and second phrases of the song that he sings (I think because he realizes the first key is too high for him).

IF you are correct, and Joe is incorrectly singing the melody as a way to make the point that it's not REALLY memorable, then that whole bit makes no sense at all.

Joe believes he is singing the melody correctly, but he isn't. The first phrase is close enough that it sets up the joke; the second phrase is just off. The notes are wrong; it's not about keys or octaves. Sondheim's small joke is about the critics who say he doesn't write tunes you can hum....well, not everybody can correctly hum a richard rodgers standard. It's not about what's memorable.

Never mind.

Yes, Plaza Suite is mostly sold-out. They just announced they're adding performances to take care of the people who will miss. Classy, I gotta say.

the reviews

Best production of MWRA I’ve seen (and I saw the original) was an off-Loop one in Chicago in the mid-eighties with a fantastic Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Mary.

1981

I saw the 1990 Arena Stage version of MWRA. Victor Garber was well-suited to Franklin, but David Garrison was a bit out of his element as Charley.

That production also had a young Marin Mazzie as Beth, and she sang the hell out of "Not a Day Goes By".

Didn't Mazzie do Beth in the CA one with John Rubenstein as well?

Lonnie Price is a mystery. He had a large role in a Broadway flop and then kinda disappeared except for directing concert musicals. He works with Audra McDonald a lot in this capacity…but it’s gotta kill him to some degree that nobody ever asks why he’s not on stage in any of these concerts.

I've answered my own question. Just looked it up, and yes, Mazzie was in the La Jolla prodcution as well. Wish I had seen it, as it's probably the best cast ever assembled for the show...Rubinstein, Mazzie, Heather MacRae, Chip Zein.

All of the best singers want to sing Sondheim.

I didn’t realize the isolation period is now 5 days if you test positive for Covid. 10 always seemed a bit extreme.

[quote]Joe believes he is singing the melody correctly, but he isn't. The first phrase is close enough that it sets up the joke; the second phrase is just off.

I just looked at the score...Joe is singing the notes of the melody correctly throughout, except for the very last note, which is a tone higher. Rhythm and harmonies are a bit skewed, however.

This thread hasn't been Cantrell christened yet...

Tickets are now on sale for A Beautiful Noise starring Will Swenson as Neil Diamond, previewing in June at Boston's Colonial Theatre, prior to Broadway.

[quote] I just looked at the score...Joe is singing the notes of the melody correctly throughout, except for the very last note, which is a tone higher. Rhythm and harmonies are a bit skewed, however.

To back this up, the script's stage directions say the following: "He is humming "Some Enchanted Evening" - incorrectly."

Saw COMPANY last night due to the cancellation of Plaza Suite—-will see it in June…this is the 4th date I have had for PS due to Covid——but was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed COMPANY….Patti Lupone was perfect. Nikki Renee Daniels was the understudy for Bobbie and she was refreshing…..they did a good job updating the show although the premise of being an old maid/bachelor at 35 wears thin in 2022….the songs were terrific to hear live/on stage after growing up with my mom playing the original cast recording when I was a kid…..

A Neil Diamond Musical. Who's next? Barry Manilow?

[quote] Lonnie Price is a mystery. He had a large role in a Broadway flop and then kinda disappeared except for directing concert musicals. He works with Audra McDonald a lot in this capacity…but it’s gotta kill him to some degree that nobody ever asks why he’s not on stage in any of these concerts.

He’s really not. I suggest you watch the documentary he made about the making and disaster of MWRA “The Best Worst Thing That Happened” or something like that. There’s extensive footage of the original in rehearsals and a lot of interviews. He narrates and interviews everyone, and talks a bit about himself. He decided after a couple of years working as an actor that he hated it (I believe he landed two other straight Broadway plays after Merrily,) and since he had become a part of Prince’s world, he moved into directing. He was disillusioned by the Broadway acting experience and learned that he wanted to move on quite young. There’s not much mystery in that. Broadway acting is a nightmare for even the successful.

I worked with him at NYCO in a production of Sweeney Todd that he directed for Hal (with Hal coming in at the end for the last week.) He was a nice guy and knew his stuff, if not the most incisive or thrilling director. He was doing mostly concerts and restagings at the time, but with prominent orgs like Lincoln Center. He’s worked pretty steadily in NY in theater; that’s a pretty fair achievement.

[quote]I just looked at the score...Joe is singing the notes of the melody correctly throughout, except for the very last note, which is a tone higher. Rhythm and harmonies are a bit skewed, however.

Thanks. Some people fail to realize they don't have a good ear for music, and KEEP INSISTING they hear something right or wrong regardless.

[quote]To back this up, the script's stage directions say the following: "He is humming "Some Enchanted Evening" - incorrectly."

I don't know why it says that, if only one note is incorrect. And I don't understand what Sondheim's point was in making only one note incorrect.

[quote]He decided after a couple of years working as an actor that he hated it (I believe he landed two other straight Broadway plays after Merrily,) and since he had become a part of Prince’s world, he moved into directing. He was disillusioned by the Broadway acting experience and learned that he wanted to move on quite young. There’s not much mystery in that. Broadway acting is a nightmare for even the successful.

And yet, Price shoved himself into the central role of Ed Kleban in A CLASS ACT, which he also directed, even though he didn't fit the role at all....and even though he had Danny Burstein in the cast, who would have been vastly superior as Kleban.

Danny Burstein was Price's understudy in the Broadway production of "A Class Act".

[quote]And I don't understand what Sondheim's point was in making only one note incorrect

Less is more, r32.

Worst thread ever?

Bitch and moan, r36...

[quote]Danny Burstein was Price's understudy in the Broadway production of "A Class Act".

Exactly. And he should have just been given the role.

I really liked A Class Act. Probably better suited to off broadway but very enjoyable. Sara Ramirez and Randy Graffiti were the standouts for me

[r39] it’s amazing yo me the Broadway career Sara could have had…but she chose television and will forever be known as Che Diaz as apposed to a Tony winning belter!

[quote]....and even though he had Danny Burstein in the cast, who would have been vastly superior as Kleban.

[quote]Danny Burstein was Price's understudy in the Broadway production of "A Class Act".

[quote]Exactly. And he should have just been given the role.

I don't have anything to add, r33, r34, and r38, except to say I agree with you all. He's a good actor and a very nice guy.

[quote] I suggest you watch the documentary he made about the making and disaster of MWRA “The Best Worst Thing That Happened” or something like that.

If you can get past the first twenty minutes of Lonny Price emoting over his audition tape and then giving stream of conscious narration about how he was going to keel over dead before opening night. Oy vey already!

Then you get to laugh at Jason Alexander’s ridiculous wig and smug demeanor.

Jason Alexander is ALWAYS smug. There’s a reason he was nominated for 7 Emmys without winning. He’s highly unlikeable

To DataLoungers, everyone is unlikable.

From the last thread:

"Thoughts on the Lortel Awards cutting gender from its nominations so that male, female and trans actors are all in the same categories? I'm for it."

Well, I'm not! It's a ridiculous idea. And it means one less winner in each acting category.

R25, at the risk of beating a dead horse, you said you've looked at the score and Joe was singing all the correct notes, as written. I assume you mean you looked at "Opening Doors" and Joe's particular section, right? Not the score of South Pacific/Some Enchanted Evening?

I always assumed the melody was the same and it was just harmonized differently (meaning the chords underneath were different).

Lonny Price in "A Class Act" and before, did all the wrong things vocal teachers tell one not to do -- scooping for notes, etc., etc. He was good in "Master Harold" though.

[quote]Lonny Price in "A Class Act" and before, did all the wrong things vocal teachers tell one not to do -- scooping for notes, etc., etc. He was good in "Master Harold" though.

I thought his performance in "Master Harold" was, no exaggeration, one of the worst I've ever seen given by a professional actor.

[quote]I always assumed the melody was the same and it was just harmonized differently (meaning the chords underneath were different).

Yes, I'm almost certain the intervals between the notes and the rhythms are the same as "Some Enchanted Evening." Whether or not this is true is a matter of fact, not opinion, but I don't have the printed music available.

The intervals are the same, I think; the rhythm, too. My point was that the melody is not "Some Enchanted Evening," but something close enough to make the joke work.

I guess if it requires this much discussion, it wasn't a very effective joke.

[quote] at the risk of beating a dead horse

And yet.

[quote] The intervals are the same, I think; the rhythm

[quote] the intervals between the notes and the rhythms are the same

[bold] Stop, I'm dead already.

[quote] the very last note, which is a tone higher.

Dorothy Collins would have made the joke work.

[quote]The intervals are the same, I think; the rhythm, too. My point was that the melody is not "Some Enchanted Evening," but something close enough to make the joke work.

If the intervals and the rhythm of the melody in "Opening Doors" are the same as the melody of "Some Enchanted Evening," then the tune is the same as "Some Enchanted Evening." Someone here is very confused....

Opening Doors...

R44 This thread is unlikable.

Julia Louis Dreyfus was NOT in any production of Merrily in Chicago (or anywhere).

R57, How about Richard Dreyfuss?

Any coverage of the William Ivey Long Broadway MeToo March yesterday afternoon? Were any of you bitches there?

Sondheim is a thief!

Those notes that Franklin plays in Opening Doors were stolen from Styne’s music in Gypsy.

During the “Why did I do it” section of Rose’s Turn, when she sings, “It wasn’t for me, Herbie”.

Any updates on Sondheim's widower?

r59 I'm pretty sure he was at Beetlejuice with a young preppie guy. He didn't attract attention to himself, and you'd ever know about the controversy. I liked his 60s inspired costumes for Delia.

The show was fun but I noticed sound cutting in and out or vocal problems, way more than usual. A couple of drunk people were applauding and "Woohooing" every scene change. Lots of chubby goths in stripes having a good time.

Yes how is the Sondheim widow? And are we to believe he and Sondheim had sex the last 10 years?

Who cares what you believe? And why would anyone who knew them hand out information on the DL?

Not even at Northwestern, r57?

No way the second melodic phrase in r55's clip is from "Some Enchanted Evening."

[quote]No way the second melodic phrase in [R55]'s clip is from "Some Enchanted Evening."

Yes, it is. Those are very close to the exact same notes as the melody that accompanies the lyrics "you may see a stranger," "someone may be laughing," etc. in "Some Enchanted Evening," but to repeat again, it sounds different to you and others because Joe changes key and/or octave between the first phrase and the second, and also, the harmonization and accompaniment are very different.

Then aren't we meant to hear it differently?

It started out about a song, now it's about the two of you.

Now we're slamming doors, singing, "Go away!!!!!"

Don't

What is Scott Rudin doing [italic] right now [/italic]?

[quote]Those are very close to the exact same notes as the melody that accompanies the lyrics "you may see a stranger," "someone may be laughing," etc. in "Some Enchanted Evening," but to repeat again, it sounds different to you and others because Joe changes key and/or octave between the first phrase and the second, and also, the harmonization and accompaniment are very different.

I don't think this inconsequential musical moment from "Merrily We Roll Along" has been discussed nearly enough.

So how can Paradise Square afford to be down for a week? They were already financially on the ropes. Did they get SVOG money?

Lonny's never ending obsession with "Merrily" has just grown tiresome, particularly after the reunion concert and the documentary, and the constant panels, YouTube, etc...Move On, Lonny...

[quote] So how can Paradise Square afford to be down for a week? They were already financially on the ropes. Did they get SVOG money?

What's Garth raising money for next?

[quote].Move On, Lonny...

Move on, thread...

Lead the way, asshat.^^

Sing happy, asshat.^^

Looks like Jennifer Simard was the only Company cast member out of today’s matinee.

Beanie and FG will be profiled on CBS Sunday Morning tomorrow. Be warned.

Pauley and the Bean!

[quote] What's Garth raising money for next?

Bus fare back to Canada.

When Funny Girl goes on BOGO, will they call them Freebie and the Bean?

Has anyone seen "To My Girls" with Bryan Batt at Second Stage? Frank Dillela just interviewed Bryan and his co-star a few minutes ago. It looks like it could be fun.

Never mind -- I see some posts about it in the other theatre gossip thread.

This thread could use a splash of Cantrell....

Some time back, someone posted the Friedman “Merrily”… is it still around?

Here r87

Funny, I’ve grown to hate Merrily… Just in the past day and a half. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why.

How closely does the Merrily book follow the Kaufmann and Hart play?

I'd call up Kitty and ask her, r90, but...there wouldn't be an answer.

No love for the recently departed Rae Allen ?

R90, not closely at all. None of the character names are the same. Most of the professions are different, too..

What if Merrily had a totally different aged cast after intermission?

Thank you, r92. And the award goes to...

[quote]How closely does the Merrily book follow the Kaufmann and Hart play?

As closely as that bit in "Opening Doors" follows the melody of "Some Enchanted Evening".

I just LOVE (and well-remember) that funny and heart-felt Tony acceptance speech of Rae Allen's at r95! Thanks for posting it. That was the year they featured a short musical number from every previous year and she's referring to John Raitt's rendition of "Hey, There" in which she played ensemble girl Poopsie. I think it's still the best Tony broadcast ever.

Just watched clips of Beanie in FG on CBS Sunday Morning. Meh. I know it was just a taste of her performance but not the vocal train wreck I was expecting.

It's not that Beanie can't sing, it's that her singing is so commonplace and has no distinction or style. And it looks like she doesn't have the professional stage skills for the material.

R97, And I was one of the four hosts.

I didn't realize she was Poopsie, r97!

Yeah! Replaced by DL Fave Barbara Nichols in the film version, r95. They clearly went with another type.

But at least Rae got to recreate her Gloria Thorpe, Girl Reporter, in the film of Damn Yankees!

r99

She is merely adequate, she will never be La Streisand. I would expect to see her in a production like North Shore, Ogunquit playhouse etc... not the broadway

Why is no one mentioning how inadequate and miscast Jane Lynch is?

[quote]Why is no one mentioning how inadequate and miscast Jane Lynch is?

Because we have, pardon the expression, much bigger fish to fry with Beanie. But yes, I just yesterday mentioned to a friend that, if possible, Lynch is even more miscast in her role than Beanie in hers.

But Jane is getting raves from the people who have seen it.

But she is an odd, tall, thin, gentile choice for the role of this Fanny's mother.

[quote]It's not that Beanie can't sing, it's that her singing is so commonplace and has no distinction or style.

Beanie doesn't have a sound.

R80 where was the warning for the Randy Rainbow segment? He’s hoping to move his act to Broadway

You know who doesn't have a sound, r107? Miss Connie Stevens, that's who. I've been watching Hawaiian Eye all weekend and she gets a number in seemingly every episode. She does get to wear really cute hats, though.

Well, this certainly beats talking about the Merrily score.

Beanie doesn't have a look either. She needs a look!

Beanie is taking a poopsie on stage 8 times a week.

The Oliviers had topped themselves with their Billy Elliot/Matilda gimmick of handing out multiple awards for the same category. Winner of Best Support Actor is "7 actors who play the Tiger" in Life of Pi

And it looks like they did an amazing job.

Speaking of the Oliviers - why do they not use "the" before the names of theatres? For example, Kathleen Marshall won for best choreography for "Anything Goes at Barbican Theatre". Best Opera was Jenufa "by Royal Opera at Royal Opera House". It's not just me is it? It sounds incredibly odd.

Though they are, rather ridiculously, marking Cabaret as being in "The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre". So I guess when they rebrand the building as a marketing act, then they'll use a "the"

Cabaret the big winner then, with Best Revival, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Actress, Director

And Back to the Future for Best Musical, Life of Pi for Best Play, Constellations for Best Revival of a Play.

I knew the revival of The Normal Heart was happening, but I hadn't realized it had actually happened. Not a lot of press about it.

In an article for TimeOut about all of the Broadway shows opening this month, Adam Feldman wrote: "Beanie Feldstein steps into Barbra Streisand's roller skates in the first Broadway revival of this 1964 musical comedy about Fanny Brice, with Jane Lynch as her unsupportive mother." I wouldn't describe Rosie Brice as "unsupportive" of Fanny in either the original show or the movie, so I don't know where he got that from. Maybe he was thinking of Barbra Streisand's real-life mother? Or maybe, in this new production, Rosie is unsupportive of Fanny because the girl really doesn't have that much talent?

Is there a roller-skating number in the show now?

[quote] Is there a roller-skating number in the show now?

There was, but Beanie flattened all the wheels so they cut it.

r115 you're an idiot, I'm sorry.

There are just cultural differences in grammar. In the UK they say "he's in hospital," not the hospital. We say "he's in school," not the school.

[quote] It sounds incredibly odd.

You sound incredibly ignorant.

R122/R123 I'm British you dumb fuck.

Bugger

One thing is for certain they are really promoting Beanie for this. I feel bad for all the theatre gals who could sing the score and make it a star making performance

Let's face it, this fat lump of bullshit is gonna wind up getting the Tony award.

That would be a slap in the face to Broadway. They didnt even give it to Barbara, who blows Beanie off the stage. I know Carol Channing won for Dolly over Barbra, but still. With any luck it will go to Sutton Foster for MM, but anyone else would suffice.

She'll get it for one reason- she's fat.

As a matter of fact, in the song If a Girl Isn't Pretty, her mom defends Fanny. Mrs. Brice is a very caring character, even if underwritten.

So how long before the latest West End Cabaret lands on broadway. 7 Olivier awards.

Judging by the Oliviers, Broadway will soon see the West End Cabaret, Back to the Future, the Musical and Life of Pi with its Goddamn puppets. And probably a revival of the 2 character Constellations with a revolving cast of movie stars who want to dabble on Broadway. Ugh, and probably & Juliet, which won some undeserved awards last year.

Beanie was dreadful in those CBS Sunday show clips, there is a deadly flat tone to every note and word she sings, she’s unable to own those songs, as others have said, it’s below even a local community theater effort. Onstage Beanie is struggling under immense fear and effort, it’s unpleasant to view, Lynch is predictable and professional. The overall energy is a strong and desperate “can we get through this” and never once does Beanie take a moment to breath and give some depth, she’s singing and dancing on a hollow scream. Tragic.

[quote]Beanie doesn't have a look either. She needs a look!

The "Funny Girl" movie had a luck!

^^ A look, that is. ^^

And it’s matched with a muff!

I like the sheeFO nimber.

Beanie ain't getting that Tony. Don't worry about that. At best she's fourth in line.

Ahead of her, in no specific order: Sutton Foster, Sharon D. Clarke and Joaquina Kaluakango. And if I were voting, I'd put Mare Winningham in that group too. That's four women. Isn't going to take much more for Beanie to not even be nominated. (Note: I have not seen Funny Girl, and I do not hate Beanie. Thought she was adorable in Hello, Dolly! and very funny in Booksmart and Lady Bird.)

R17, I saw that too. I thought JLD was terrific, but I was a kid.

Oh there is no way Kalukangaroo is getting the Tony over Beanie. Nothing to do with her, but I can't see Paradise Square making it long enough for any voters to see it.

[Quote] Kalukangaroo

Moron

Paradise Square says they're reopening on the 16th. That's an awful lot of lost performances, especially for a show with a very large cast, and especially considering that the production was reportedly having trouble paying people even before the shutdown.

[quote] No cell phones were allowed into the building and attendees were supplied with a locking pouch for all mobile devices.

This from a Chris Rock comedy set. Looks like it’s going to be a new trend.

So are SUFFs uptown aspirations suffocated by the critics?

R144, I didn't read any of the reviews, but I still hear talk of a transfer, and I'm surprised they would be considering that if the reviews were really THAT bad. Maybe I'll try to catch up with them now.

SUFFS ain't goin' nowhere.

Now Paradise Square will [italic] definitely [/italic] resume on April 16

I feel like Craig Lucas is sitting home laughing his ass off.

Jesus, the Beanie narcism tour continues. Who on their press team thinks this "my destiny" shit is working?

Thats what nepotism and being born into money/contacts do for you. If it werent for her father, nobody would know who she or her brother are. Seriously. Someone really needs to put her in her place to give her some humility.

I think audiences are less interested in Beanie and more interested in seeing Funny Girl on stage.

Never underestimate The Power of the Underdog.

It would be different if she were exceptionally talented, she just talented...like the millions who perform in High School musicals.

I'm so fucking sick of hearing about Beanie's Funny-Girl-themed birthday party as a kid.

I had a Star-Wars-themed party. That doesn't mean I should be in space.

That was cruel of GMA to open the Beanie segment with Barbra singing Don't Rain On My Parade.

Think about it. With only a few minor tv appearances under her belt, she was cast in a supporting role on stage in one of the hottest draws on Broadway, Hello Dolly. Now she is lead in an anticipated revival, Funny Girl. 2 roles, thats it, both very high profile. Either shes the second coming of Broadway or someone is behind the scenes making it happen.

Are they behind the scenes of the reviews, too?

If only Beanie acted as well onstage as she’s doing on these desperate PR spots, they are clinging to the narrative that “the young female fans of our precious star will combat the dismal forces of theatrical reality” and balance out what is fast becoming THE Broadway show to leave at intermission. And am I the only one that finds the videos of young Beanie at her theater camp somewhat terrifying? She seems “off”, sort of like a Rain Man with no math skills…

I would hardly call her role in Hello, Dolly high profile. She was practically ensemble. It only seemed high profile because she stunk so badly.

Thats the point...compared to the rest of the cast, she had no business being there.

[quote] I would hardly call her role in Hello, Dolly high profile.

The production was high profile. The first time in 100 years that Dolly was played by someone other than Carol Channing *and* it was Bette Midler in a musical. In some ways that production was more interesting than Funny Girl’s long anticipated revival.

But that wasn't how he (or you, if you're the poster) described it. It said "two roles, both very high profile."

I can only go by what's written.

FFS r162...The production was high profile...which makes the role high profile because many people will see it.

That's really stupid logic.

I'll bet Jesse Green has his negative Funny Girl review already written.

No, r164, it isn't. R163 is correct.

Sandra Bernhard, Laurie Beechman, Taylor Dane, Debbie Gibson, Leslie Kritzer, Lauren Ambrose and Idina Menzel were all set at one point or another for the first Broadway revival of Funny Girl.

And we got stuck with Beanie Feldstein?

I would have gone to see Taylor Dane or Debbie Gibson do it.

Bette Midler in the '70s would have been a great Fanny.

[quote]I think audiences are less interested in Beanie and more interested in seeing Funny Girl on stage.

If that's true, they may still be disappointed, because this is a rewritten version of FUNNY GIRL

The original Funny Girl was offered to Carol Burnett. Her response? You really need to hire a Jewish girl.

[quote]That was cruel of GMA to open the Beanie segment with Barbra singing Don't Rain On My Parade.

I didn't see the segment. Someone told me this happened, and I thought they must be joking. But apparently it's true, although almost impossible to believe the producers' incredible lack of judgment and consideration for Beanie. Thanks for confirming.

Carol Burnett couldn't really do ethnic, and specifically Jewish, and she knew it.

Debbie Gibson starred in an aborted pre broadway tour of FG. The less said the better.

Stephanie J. Block played Fanny at Wichita, and the whole thing is on YouTube. Boy, that chicken waffles chick chick part of Cornet Man is not only bad, it’s stupid.

[quote]Carol Burnett couldn't really do ethnic, and specifically Jewish, and she knew it

Unfortunately, r173, Jill Perryman...didn't.

[quote]Stephanie J. Block played Fanny at Wichita, and the whole thing is on YouTube.

Was that at Wichita's one and only burlesque theater?

[quote]Boy, that chicken waffles chick chick part of Cornet Man is not only bad, it’s stupid.

Agreed. When I was in a production of the show years ago, none of the cast could figure out what that section was all about. My only guess is that maybe it was based on some old vaudeville/burlesque dance routine, but whatever, maybe Eddie should have had a line explaining it to Fanny.

Didnt they revise that part ? The production with Sheridan Smith was restaged as well...and its the same producer and of course, Harvey rewrote the book for it as well as the current production.

Go to 20:45 at link.

I think it works much better

The Sheridan Smith version was just a few years ago. She may not be perfect, but she is faw and away better than Beanie...you have to wonder why the same producers didnt just transfer the production to Broadway...or post Covid, put Sheridan in the lead again.

[quote]you have to wonder why the same producers didnt just transfer the production to Broadway...or post Covid, put Sheridan in the lead again.

Perhaps they didn't want to use Sheridan because she had gained weight. Oh, wait . . .

Smith was dealing without a lot of external stuff that kept her out of the show for a while. Maybe producers weren’t willing to take a chance on bringing her over. I think she’s very talented and hope she’s doing well.

Are you serious, r180? Even Beanie Feldstein could sell more tickets than Sheridan Smith (who???) on Broadway.

Haven't seen this FG but I'm willing to bet, unless the reviews are disastrous (which I somehow doubt), this revival might be a hit with young theatergoers (who don't care about Barbra Streisand) and run for a year or so, though maybe not recoup. Though I can also imagine a scenario where they'll cast some, undoubtedly miscast young TV star for a national tour and make back their money.

Please pray for me! I finally broke down and got tickets to see Funny Girl. At 34, I’m kinda an eldergay at this point and this might be my only chance to see Funny Girl on Broadway so Beanster, here I come!

R184 I’ll pray for you for posting duplicates on both theater threads

R185, I think this is the first time that two theater threads have been equally active at the same time. So....shut the hell up.

I almost want to start a poll thread to gauge interest in always having an Antique and Oft-Repeated Theatre Gossip Thread concurrent with a You Don't Have to Be Alive To Gossip About Theatre Thread.

^^ oh shit I did that wrong. Those are both for old gossip ^^ It's fate. We're doomed.

[quote]We're doomed.

There is no other way.

There's no interest. Next.

So sad, r189...

Still waiting for the repost of the Jay Armstrong Jones sex tape. Or is that the other thread?

Who's Jay Armstrong Jones?

Who cares? He has a sex tape.

I think we're abandoning this for the new #462

No, YOU are because you HAD to start a new thread with the bad title. Let's finish this one first.

a) iIt wasn't me, asswipe.

b) Why are you bitching? It gave you a chance be a cunt on both threads.

Then it was worth it if it could irritate you.

gIrLs GiRls YoUr'E bOtH pReTtY