Funny Girl insiders are saying Lea Michele will finally be Fanny Brice

The “Glee” star has always wanted the role. When she was in “Glee” there was a lot of talk about her taking the part. But a lot of things went sideways, and it never happened.

This past Sunday, Lea Michele was a hit on the Tony Awards during the “Spring Awakening” reunion. She was really given the spotlight, and hit a home run.

The Tonys appearance was either because her deal was already done, or because producers were waiting to see how Michele would be received. It was all ‘thumbs up.’

Remember– Lea Michele sang “Don’t Rain on My Parade” at the 64th Tony Awards 11 years ago. She is ready to go!

Lynch still has to be replaced. I have a funny idea for Funny Girl: offer the role to Michele Lee, the great Broadway star of “Seesaw” and TV’s “Knots Landing.” She can sing like crazy, she would seem like Lea Michele’s mother. And think of the marquee– Lea Michele and Michele Lee. David Merrick would do it in a second! (Michele Lee was last on Broadway in “Wicked,” by the way, and I’m told she recently bought a new place in New York.”

So hold on for the announcement. I know a lot of people will be disappointed that understudy Julie Benko won’t get promoted. But if “Funny Girl” is to survive and pay back its investors, they need a ‘name.’ I hope Benko hangs in there until she gets her own show. She deserves it.

She'll be farting all over the set and tormenting "the cock roaches" (extras)

Cast a black trans woman as Fanny's mother.

This is as it should be, as it should have been from the beginning of this production. I might go to New York to see this.

Is she still a cunt?

This is so deliciously nuts if true.

Beanie gets in cause of nepotism....but booted cause she's bad in the role...drama ensues...the city talks shit...

Then Lea gets in because she can sing it....but has a crap reputation to rehabilitate....drama ensues....city talks more shit....

This is a literal shitshow!

If Lea is smart, she will openly weep after every performance, play humble and grateful and sincere....and MAYBE people won't drag her the entire time...

I can't imagine people will go easy on her online. She's really detested.

What a crazy production.

She certainly won’t be able to resist the opportunity to show us once and for all that SHE is the definitive new Fanny.

Lea Michele singing My Man in a tribute to Barbra Streisand

^ with Barbra clapping politely at the end.

Michele Lee is 80 years old. They would need to change the lyrics of Find Yourself A Man to Find The Metamucil.

She’s the greatest star!

Matthew Morrison IS Nick Arnstein!

Chris Colfer IS Eddie!

R8 That performance frustrates me. The instrument is there, she hit the high notes really well. But her accent and emoting is so hammy and contemporary. The overall effect is the most talented girl in your high school class, performing in the school variety show. In other words, Glee. If only she could tone it down and class it up.

I'm I right that you can't get a Tony nomination if you are a replacement in an already-running show? Don't want to give this little turd any airs.

I despise this ugly bitch and I would absolutely pay to see this.

Are there enough people out there who like her or at least go "yeah, she's a bitch, but she's got talent!"?

WEHT to the understudy who blew the critics away with her performance? Is this *gasp* more about name recognition than talent?

Finally Fanny! The Fall and Rise of Lea Michele

Coming to a desperate straits Netflix in 2025

Lea should have played the role from the beginning. Who cares if she's a bitch offstage and nasty diva. She has the chops for this role, which Beanie clearly didn't have.

This really seems like good news

R17, did you read the OP article?

This could work. She can certainly sing the score. Jonathan Groff as Nick please

I love that idea r22

Here’s some interesting casting from the early 90s, Heather Headley in her high school production. I think she’s magnificent, her voice is just right.

Ha! Babs clapping at the end of that clip is everything.

"Awwww. She thinks she's me. Adorable. So anyway..."

Lea better vary her infections because she always sounds like a Streisand imitator.

Lizzo for Fanny’s mom

Bebe Neuwirth as Rose Brice

Inflections ***

Lololol. Not infections.

We quit!

[quote]I'm I right that you can't get a Tony nomination if you are a replacement in an already-running show?

Sort of.

Agreed, r13. And it showcases how much less rich her tone is than Barbra’s…

Who wants to spend $250 for a Barbra impersonation? I'd rather go to a drag show for $20.

Teens seem to have discovered Glee through streaming (overheard some teenage girls yesterday talking about it as if it was some unknown show and the second coming). So maybe young people would come see her in this.

I’m with R15.

In fairness, imagine performing "My Man" in front of Barbra Streisand. You need major chutzpah to rise to that kind of pressure.

This show should never have been revived. It's Barbra's. Especially with the movie.

I hope so R5. Funny Girl needs that believable diva energy.

Lea, stay the fuck away from my wig!!

R19, presumably anybody who.would have to work with that asshole cares a great deal.

[quote]I despise this ugly bitch and I would absolutely pay to see this.

Should be the slogan of DL Theatre Threads.

And Idina Mendel, can play her mother again.

*Menzel

LOL - this so-called rumor is more likely a desperate attempt by her to get her fans to push this as some sort of dreamcasting.

Friedman is usually right on the money

They should just close the show, like x5 minutes ago. Clearly it was a dumpster fire, so adding a liability like Lea Michele seems lik3 flushing $$$ down the toilet. The silver lining of all this is The Great Beanie being humbled. I think she really was brought up being told she'd be the next great thing to hit Broadway. It must sting for her.

She was a mean bully

Lea is a "see you next tuesday", but you can't deny her talent. I had a friend go to the Beanie show and it was bad bad bad. You can't cancel talent.

But isn’t the production itself just ugly and underwhelming with a book that Harvey failed to fix? Better off closing this bad production and opening a new production in two years

Lea Michele makes my friend Julie look like Mother Teresa.

Hide your wigs!

While I think Lea is talented, she's not Barbra. She is absolutely desperate to be seen as the new Babs, but he attempts at Babs' songs sound so screechy to me.

At this point, however, Lea is all the Bway Funny Girl has to salvage itself.

Get Groff to go in as Nicky Arnstein for 6 weeks and it will be a guaranteed sell out.

[quote] Get Groff to go in as Nicky Arnstein for 6 weeks and it will be a guaranteed sell out.

Ugh--watch him make love to her? He'd rather die.

No, he can be Fanny's Platonic friend, Eddie Ryan. He can sing "Rat-a-Tat-Tat' and "Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?", and they can add a scene where Fanny shows him what a woman's vulva looks like with a desk lamp in Mr. Ziegfeld's office.

I'm sorry, but Fanny Brice was not African-American, OK? Lea would be "woke" casting.

Currently the actor playing Flo Ziegfeld (who was white) is African-American.

[quote]The Tonys appearance was either because her deal was already done, or because producers were waiting to see how Michele would be received. It was all ‘thumbs up.’

You have to admire the way Lea and her team have spun this story that the SA reunion on the Tonys was actually all about her and FG

Her mouth looks like a pussy

Don't invite Jessica Lange to Lea's opening night.

IAFT

Need I remind you that this is, somehow, harmful to marginalized people?

[quote]Currently the actor playing Flo Ziegfeld (who was white) is African-American.

So, he's Flo Rida Ziegfeld?

OP's article was clearly planted by the FG producers to test the waters and see if there's any genuine interest and if it'd be worth the money to bring Lea in.

The spray tan budget is going to be enormous.

At 45, Lea is TOO OLD!

However, Sandra Bernhard has always wanted to play this part. Yes, she's 70, but she would be a draw. Bette Midler played Dolly Levi at the age of at least 70, didn't she?

But now, here's the thing: if you believe the FG revival was funded by Beanie's family, isn't it unlikely they would allow Lea to come in and upstage their little girl?

Now she's lost interest they want their money back. This is the rich nepotism version of selling the violin your kid is oh-so-passionate about for a couple of weeks

[quote] At 45, Lea is TOO OLD!

Ha. Exaggerated but not too far off. She is 36 and yes, she is too old to play the part.

Midler was too old for Dolly but no one cared because Dolly wasn't a young 20ish girl, so she could get away with it.

Beanie is 28

It’s time throw out Lea’s shit wig and forgive her.

She is Fanny Brice.

She can play a young Fanny just as Madonna convincingly played a teenage Eva Peron in Evita.

This tacky looking show cost $15 million dollars? Must have been all that extra fabric.

Way to shit all over the franchise.

Why are some of you saying that they should close the show (or that they should have closed it already)? It may be a stinker with the critics, but it’s pulling in very good grosses each week at the box office.

They should close a show that’s selling tickets because of what? Artistic integrity? Ha! Now THERE’S a laugh.

It took decades for us to see this revival. We might not see another for decades more to come (if ever). The book and the second act are simply too weak. If Lea wants her shot, this is it.

For the record, I saw Beanie and while not exactly great, she was hardly a train wreck. She’s perfectly suited for Papermill or the Bucks County Playhouse, but sadly wound up on the Broadway stage instead.

She wounded the Broadway stage instead

[quote]She’s perfectly suited for Papermill

That reminds me: when the Paper Mill did Funny Girl years ago, Leslie Kritzer was Fanny Brice

I’m available! I will bring the house down every night as I solve a Rubik’s Cube during my big number.

[quote]She can play a young Fanny just as Madonna convincingly played a teenage Eva Peron in Evita.

You're being shady, right?

Alysha Umphress

I thought she was very good in F8's vid post, I had expected the usual contemporary Broadway singer approach of souling or oversinging a standard with a high school performance lilt. I thought she didn't do that here, but is more like someone who just needs a little more polish and practice to refine her technique and strengthen her vocals projection. Also she might want to learn to control the thing she does with the arm and hand that resembles her starting to feel a heart attack coming on and putting them to her chest. Also, Lea dear, remember to hold the pronunciation of your word-final "s" sounds until the end of the lyrical word! You don't want to come across as "Susan Olsen IS Fanny Brice," do you!? ;)

I doubt it. I think the show will simply close. It’s terrible and they missed the boat.

They can bring anyone into this show: Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul. Lea Michele is what Las Vegas is all about! She's dazzling, she's exciting, and very, very sexy!

She has the chops and pipes for the role. Who cares if she's an awful person--like so many divas aren't? Bring Lea on.

She doesn't have either, R82. If she did, her "career" would have continued after Glee was cancelled.

R74 I'm out of breath watching that. What a difficult song to sing. She did acceptably well.

People... people who abuse people...

If Lea has talent she should get the part even if she is hell on wheels behind the scenes. I still can't believe they built it around Beanie, my niece's high school choir sounds better than her.

I think Vanessa Bayer as Laura Parsons just to keep continuity.

[Quote] If Lea has talent she should get the part even if she is hell on wheels behind the scenes.

She has a PR problem. We'll se if TPTB try to fix it.

Lea M. coated in "Egyptian Number 5" don't crack. She can pass for 17.

Team Lea. Beanstein needs to go. Now.

I'm Team Closing.

It can't close. I just bought another house in Malibu.

Does Lea Michelle know she’s Jewish? If not somebody needs to tell her face.

It should have always been Lea. Preferably 7 or 8 years ago. The public didn't hate Lea Michele. Not then. Besides she is more right for the role that anyone can be. That and her thirst for it probably cost her the part years ago. Jessie Mueller would also have been great - why was she never considered? She's older than Lea and already starred in On A Clear Day? Or because she's a Lutheran.

Let Leah have her go. She'll get very good reviews and the show will regain some prestige. Because Funny Girl is not a great show - it needs a real singer. Lea IS a broadway baby, after all.

Nonsense. Fanny Brice is a loveable character. Someone who specializes in taking off Tracey Flick is not an ideal Fanny Brice. And Michele was the only one of the three leads not nominated for a Tony.

*three Spring Awakening leads

I think she’s a good choice for the role, she has the voice and that certain quirkiness

This would be a great comeback for her and help reignite interest in the show.

She's trending on Twitter. It's going to happen. Good. Lea is a real talent and Funny Girl IS her dream. She can't possibly do worse than Beanie. Lea didn't murder anyone OR a beloved broadway show. She deserves a second chance.

I'm not typixally so negative, but she's a cunt, and because it seems she wants this role more than anything else on Earth, I hope it fails miserably in one way or another. And even if she does take the role, the show still LOOKS like bad community theatre. They need to close it, and cut their losses.

[quote] "typixally"

Oh, dear.

*typically

Streisand has already made it clear that Lea Michelle never gets that role.

Ever.

WTF is Beanie wearing in that You Tube video? Work pants and a tight wife beater. WTF?!?!!!!! Her voice is nasally and thin.

Well, Babs seemed friendly with Ryan Murphy for a time- so that could make sense about Lea.

Streisand is 10 X the monster than Lea Michele could be on her worst day.

Barbra did stop her from getting the role before - because Lea was THAT good. But Barbaric Streusel has no power anymore. She has less 30 X LESS followers than Shirley Bassey. Cher, Bette, Dolly, Reba, and Nancy Sinatra are all more popular than the grotesque memory of Barbra Streisand.

Native West Virginian understands nothing but the bottle.

What say would Babs have over casting now? She's not the composer. She's the former star. From decades ago. In what way would her opinion matter...?

If Lea gets the part, it doesn't mean her transgressions are forgiven. She could do well and still have no career afterwards.

Amber Riley, I assume, has more fans. I don't see people ignoring Amber or the rest of the cast who had to deal with Lea's shit.

Jessie Meuler would have been amazing in this part.

Wonder if she turned it down...

Lea will be box office

^ this ^

If there's real money to be made, the last thing producers care about is some former music and movie legend's objections.

If it becomes a success with Lea, then ok. If not, it's Lea's fault for being so unpopular and having a bad reputation. And, when it closes, nobody will blame Beanie Feldstein, because she's long gone by then. It's almost like a Trump situation (takes over a company, takes all the money out, runs it almost to the ground, sells it off to some rube who has to declare bankruptcy and shut this particular company down).

Lea's being set up?

[quote] "They can bring anyone into this show: Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul. Lea Michele is what Las Vegas is all about! She's dazzling, she's exciting, and very, very sexy!"

I love you, R81. The reference IS mainstream, but this is why I come to DL.

Beanie is the greatest flop AND most carefully reviewed atrocity in Broadway history. It's disgusting when nepotism and diversity casting leads to such enormous blunder and embarrassment. They fired Faye for not being able to sing Sunset BLVD, they should have fired Beanie for that AND for looking so grotesque. Go on a diet bitch and stop biting off more than you can CHEW!

Broadway ticket buyers will love Lea. The girl can REALLY sing and act and has been a live stage performer since she was 8 years old. She can be NOTHING but a relief and great improvement. If fact, she will be great. If she tries too hard to ingratiate - so did Fanny Brice.

Beanie Feldstein should be taken out back of the barn and shot in the head.

If not Lea, who? Beanie Feldstein's brother?

I would like to humbly remind the producers that I am available, perfect for the part and a bigger STAR than any of these nobodies who are getting cast. And none of them have recorded a "Sings Funny Girl" LP like I did with my background help a few years ago.

I already sang "My Man" as Billie Holiday. Singing it again as that Jew comedian would make me the greatest interpreter of this role and no one would remember who played it before.

After my smash Broadway and London runs Imma do the movie version. This has never been filmed, right? Academy, just send over the Tony, Oscar and Grammy to my Greenwich mansion right now because no one else will stand a chance. Ain't nobody got no mountain high enough to rain on my parade!

Diana Ross was and IS the greatest STAR.

Better than barbara. Is Lillias White still alive?

Claire from Six Feet Under. I thought she would do it. Who cares how old, Lea Michele is too old and ghastly

Streisand must have hit man connections.

Now, that I know Wicked is safe from her, I wish her all the luck.

She might be long-in-tooth for Fanny, though.

R114, I would like to remind Miss Ross that “My Man” is not, nor never has been, in the Broadway production of Funny Girl.

R95, Fanny is a lovable character? Have you actually seen the show? Maybe in the first act she’s lovable, but certainly not in act two! Especially with Harvey’s rewrites, all the sympathy goes to Nick and not Fanny.

Vhat ah ya gonna do, shoot the svans? Dese lovelies??

I'm amused at how accusations of racism were deflected by showing she's just a complete and total cunt to everyone.

Anyone who saw Michele angrily sing her way through "Don't Rain on My Parade" at the Tonys knows that she is far from "That Good."

Lea stunk up the theater.

I still want one of these sisters, Fiona Apple or Maude Maggart.

I can't stand her fucking Brother. Jesus Christ he's an asshole.

[Quote] I still want one of these sisters, Fiona Apple or Maude Maggart.

With Penny Fuller as Mrs. Brice!

This bitch is fug.

She has a manface and a Jew nose

I thought that she was cancelled for being a racist cunt?

Give her the role.

Lea's brand is so closely aligned with this role, especially thanks to Glee, that it's a no brainer.

She's talented, she would be a competent if not solid actress, when it comes to this role.

People that love her and people that want to see her fail will both go to see it.

R117 Lauren Ambrose is not interested. That moment came and went and probably could have been a good show. She later had her Broadway moment with MFL (in which she missed a ton of performances).

Lea Michele is almost 10 years younger than Lauren Ambrose. But I agree that Lea is vile. I’m of the camp that believes this production of Funny Girl should close after Labor Day. The core local Broadway audience has seen this production with Beanie and will not see it again. If they can draw in Tulsa and Indianapolis and St. Louis tourists with someone like Carrie Underwood, that would keep the show afloat but that’s not going to happen/scheduling.

Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff could excite Broadway insiders for a 5 performance Encores, but are not going to carry this show in its current incarnation.

Funny Girl is doing fine box office because it’s summer tourist season and tourists are familiar with and like a hummable score. Plus, there are just not a lot of classic Broadway musicals to choose from at the moment. So, you travel to NYC and want to see a show and Funny Girl is easy to convince your husband to see. But past summer, it will plummet.

They'd see it with Idina Menzel, even if she is too old.

[quote]Lea M. coated in "Egyptian Number 5" don't crack.

It was called Light Egyptian.

Any update yet?

Lea is signing the contracts right now, I'm sure!

She hasn't worked in awhile. Hopefully, Lea is practicing her wig shitting.

Lots of rumour. This Broadway baby (MickeyJo) covers the story well. Good sense predicts that Leah will get the part. He breaks it down.

If she doesn't, it's because the Feldstein's have too much power and pride and are willing to throw away millions of dollars of other people's money.

Beanie is truly a nobody. This should all be very laughable. The Tony Awards didn't even mention Funny Girl except for its one nomination.

[quote]She hasn't worked in awhile. Hopefully, Lea is practicing

Lea JUST performed on the Tony awards and was part of Miscast 2022. With Audra and Kelli and Raul and Aaron Tveit.

Beanie is leaving the production....earlier than planned.

Never heard of this guy before at r137, but he really breaks it down well

It’s interesting that he thinks that Beanie may not last until September, and may leave her contract early.

People who are saying Lea’s sounded shitty years ago at the Tonys - I’m sure she’s been working on her voice and will be in fine form if they actually cast her in this. She actually knows how to sing and seems like a hard worker. She sounded great in that HBO documentary on spring awakening. Also she hasn’t been working much so she’s had time to get her voice in shape.

And yes. She’s definitely a cunt but it would be great if she replaces fat lazy Beanie and nails it - so I’m rooting for her.

It's time for redemption for Lea!

She deserves a second chance.

I hope she gets it. I'll cry if she does!!

Was it the Tonys some years back when she screeched out off pitch Don’t Rain on My Parade? Not good.

That was Barbra,142.

Her NYADA training is really paying off!

Linda Eder and Lillias have both sung Don't Rain on My Parade far better than Barbaric Steizand. And they sing it LIVE! Celine could also sing it much better than B.S. Probably Eydie Gorme could too. Betty Buckley....Barbra never sang it live, like on the recording. She can't. Linda Eder is light years beyond her technically and sonically.

People is a song for morons - which is why old dumb Barabas keeps charging $850 a seat to croak it out.

The Music That Makes Me Dance is the best song from Funny Girl and Laurie Beechman sang it as well and with much more feeling than Streizand. It's far too schmaltzy for anything other than a cabaret show.

The Funny Girl score belongs to know one. The only mark that Beanie left on it was her father's asshole.

Of course Lea can be a success in this show! She looks like Fanny Brice, and sings very well. She loves Struesel above all others, but is over trying to imitate her. Barbara's style is kind of old fashioned. Lea has more depth and soul to her tone AND a beautiful head voice - it's very pretty.

Streizand never could. She's screechy.

Linda Eder is a great live singer. The problem is she's not a dynamic actress and doesn't exude star power, which is a shame because she is very talented and has great control over her voice.

take a seat Beanie Feldstein.....

R146 That was a fantastic, powerful performance, although she did pretty much copy Barbra’s version, all the same phrasing.

They should do a film remake with Lea as well while they're at it.

R106 In what world is Amber Riley more famous than Lea Michele?

None R150.

Sorry to say Funny Gurl will close before Lea ever hits center stage.

If Broadway doesn't pan out, could we interest her in a one-hour condensed version of FG for nightly entertainment on a Carnival cruise ship?

It's grossing over $1 million per week so it may not close that soon.

Streisand sang her Funny Girl hits at the Garden concert in the early 90s and sounded great. Though she had the reputation of a cold imperious diva I don't think she had the mean nasty reputation Lea has. How many times did she threaten to shit in somebody's wig? And she did sing My Man as an encore her final performance at the Winter Garden.

Lea is now in Mrs. Brice territory. Medford was 45 when she did the role. Anyway from what is on youtube the show does look like community theater. Very cheap sets and costumes. A real no budget production.

I remember Popbitch declaring that Streisand assaulted a PA who gave her the wrong water during tour rehearsals. I think it was the tour with the Broadway Boys (Michael Arden, Hugh Panaro etc.).

It may gross a certain amount, but what does it cost? I would guess Plaza Suite is cheaper to produce, and is making the same or more.

But I can assure you, r157, that SJP and Matthew are making a hell of a lot more each week than the entire Funny Girl cast.

That's the first I've heard of Streisand assaulting somebody.

I listened again to Linda Eder's "Parade," which thank you for posting, R147. Pretty impressive. Did no one consider her for a revival years ago?

[quote]Lea is now in Mrs. Brice territory. Medford was 45 when she did the role.

And Lea is 36. As has been discussed many times on DL, people generally look younger today than their same-age counterparts from prior generations. 45 years old in the 1960s was a lot older looking than it is today.

'As has been discussed many times on DL, people generally look younger today than their same-age counterparts from prior generations.'

This especially true on DL where most posters look decades younger than their actual ages.

R160. Linda Eder has only appeared in one Broadway production, Jekyll and Hyde. Her version of her career is that she didn't want to sing and tour her life away. She wanted to sing Garland and Broadway and covers and Christmas music. Select concerts. She wanted to preserve her family life AND her voice. Others would say that she was in exclusive service to her husband's productions for the best years of her career.

Regardless, she has a REAL 4 octave range - the most lustrous and powerful and near perfect Broadway voice. Her voice is almost too beautiful and BIG for many show. Like a younger Streisand it's hard to catch her breathing. But Eder is what some people THINK streisand was, a true belter with enormous power, perfect intonation, and gorgeous vibrato. The big crescendos and the l o n g notes held so beautifully. Then the delicacy and purity of a near flawless vocal technique. Beautifully connected registers and the most incredible power AND control. LIVE. She has a third lung and great musicality - she's amazing.

HERE is another song that everyone sang, though it was never all that great. Eder will raise the hairs on your head with the fifth gear singing and overtones she just effortlessly transitions to as she takes it home. She never runs up to notes, - she opens her instrument more like Garland - the already full sound takes on more resonance and power. A modulation. Linda Eder may not be a star - but her voice is a thrill. (She doesn't like being told she's as good as Streisand.....she's different and better:)

It probably didn't help her career that she won Star Search.

They should change it to "Funny Gurl" and cast a transvestite. It would bring in a whole new audience.

*Gold*

Funny Person!

The show is selling nearly 100% of its tickets. Has it ever fallen below 90% even when she’s gone? It somehow is successful despite Beanie sucking the very life out of it whenever she’s on stage. I would imagine it will easily survive until September and then they’ll announce Lea replacing and that will sell even more. There’s no question there’s an appetite for this show.

Thanks R163. I always like reading analyses of singers. It's true, her voice does seem more powerful than Barbra's; I love her vibrato. The thing is, we have to remember how unique Barbra sounded for her time. Hers wasn't your typical "Broadway"-sounding voice, there was an appealing element of pop to it.

[quote]The show is selling nearly 100% of its tickets. Has it ever fallen below 90% even when she’s gone?

The past three weeks did 88%, 86% and 85%

It's funny how they only did 100% during previews

The newest TV commercials for FG have removed Beanie's singing.

[quote] Streisand is 10 X the monster than Lea Michele could be on her worst day. Barbra did stop her from getting the role before - because Lea was THAT good.

Streisand is also 10x the talent--and even she never threatened to shit in someone's wig.

When did Streisand stop Lea from getting FG? Streisand doesn't own the rights.

While Lea can sing the songs, can she really do it 8 shows a week--it's a voice killer.

It would never happen, but what if Babs came back for a few performances?

R163 you're really an Eder fan. That's a great description of her skills.

I've never seen her live but I'd love to. A YT recording at a venue in NY I saw somewhat recently made it seem like her range has diminished so....hopefully I can before she's retired.

I remember watching one of those Eder videos for the first time. The self satisfied smirk she gives while holding one of the notes was such a turn off.

[quote] There’s no question there’s an appetite for this show.

When your alternative is " A Strange Loop," it goes without saying.

This "reporter" is the essence of DL.

Fuck, fuck, fuck...

British queen discusses.

Curtain call Julie

Funny Girl did not kill the voices of Streisand, Mimi Hines, Barbara Cook and Julie Budd. And I assume they all did it 8 times a week.

Today it would be a voice killer because performers don't have the chops and dedication for showing up 8 times a week. Because it is what you do. As in it's your job.

^If there were a merciful god it would have killed Beanie’s.

Since I have the aficionados here, I have a question about Barbra on the cast album. Her weird vocal flourish at the end of "Parade" - was that her voice cracking or intentional? It's so odd.

And I didn't know Julie Budd played the role, really?

Almost all singers with big voices or personalities have physical idiosyncrasies when they are performing the money notes or emotional climax of a song, R179. Garland with her arm raised in the air, Whitney reaching with forearms outstretched forward and just a hint of a smile, Aretha giving self satisfied smirking attitude all through any song - even when she sounded like shit, Diana Ross with her hands raised and clenched all the way above her head - like a boxer. Celine notably pounds her chest, but her actual high notes are sung almost classically. Patti Labelle stomps her feet and flaps her arms and drops the mic and walks away satisfied with her OWN self.

Liza with the quick head toss and spastic arm gestures meant to punctuate her last notes.....and Ms.Streisand herself. Like Aretha - she doesn't emote much when she sings - she seems to not understand the lyrics at all - but she makes a lot of faces that she imagines are attractive or emotional. She either looks to the heavens on a long last note or growls and snorts off the ending of her songs. Streisand is not a pretty person to watch sing - that's why she sounds much better on recordings.

Not everyone looks as beautiful as Linda Eder when they sing. That's almost detrimental. You don't see the effort. Audra McDonald also is like this. Her face moves beautifully no matter the effort of her voice. Most classical singers don't pull faces - but their face contorts to form the vowels and shape the notes as is necessary. Flared nostrils and funny lip shapes.....

Long way of saying - watch Linda Eder be pleased with herself here! She swaggers through the song and then takes it up into the vocal stratosphere - her voice is gliding - making gorgeous overtones that sound almost like a second bel canto voice accompaniment. She creates a harmonic. Raise your eyebrow and smirk, my dear. No one mentioned in this post can do THIS!

My post was meant as a response to R174. Sorry.

And where did it get her? Not even a hit album.

Is Linda Eder still married to Frank Wildhorn?

No. Linda does very fucking long vlogs.

“Don’t rain on my parade” seems like such a hard song to sing. Nobody delivers it as well as Barbara though, who manages to make all those weird, wordy lines sound normal and conversational, not breathlessly shoehorned in.

It is a very hard song to sing. Barabas Streizand did not sing it best. As has been proven on this thread, twice.

If you think that Linda Eder or Lillias White sound breathless compared to Streizand's half talked and half spit out version.....then you are charlie.

Are we, perhaps, overlooking the obvious?

I saw a picture of Julie Benko and Beanie smiling big, they looked like children. Nothing womanly about them, it was pathetic.

[quote]However, Sandra Bernhard has always wanted to play this part. Yes, she's 70, but she would be a draw.

So LOL. On which planet because it's not this one?

Barbra Streisand (I know how to spell her name) sang a very pretty version of Memory. It was released even before the show came out. She did not give it the BIG Streisand modulations and overcooked production values. She sang it very pretty and restrained. The song is dramatic enough and she let it have just one climax. Rare. She barely hits the Eb5. Makes it a rare and nice recording for her.

But can Barbara Streizand sing Memory like Heather Headley? Hell NO! She hasn't the vocal power, range or technique. Headley's drama is not for everyone. Same with Babs whatever it is she does kind of singing. Streisand is a most old fashioned singer who's recorded so much shit. She likes accolades and rewards and recognition. She chases hits and destroys classics. She doesn't really like to sing. And she gives so little when she performs. She applauds herself!

Barbaric is far from the best female singer on the planet. She's not even in the top 50.

Lea will do fine. Barbra was known to cut songs and half ass the rest when she appeared in Funny Girl. Unless someone important was around.

Vat about Fraulein Luzie Juckenburg?

R193, Did you see the clip of Heather starring in Funny Girl in high school that I posted upthread? She’s great.

If only Lea Michele would lose that pouty little girl thing she does with her voice and sound more mature, she’d be terrific.

No I didn't, R195. But I'll find it. I love Heather. Thanks!

Lea IS annoying for the reasons you say. I don't even like her voice very much. But it's a good voice and she's the right choice in every other way too.

.,.,

Is she still gassy?

Heather Hedley fucking up her big climactic note onstage with a choir behind her was one of the funniest videos I've ever seen on YouTube. It disappeared a while back, sadly. The note was so bad. So deliciously bad... I know a DLer must have saved the video.

r72, But is beanie suited for the PepperPot Playhouse?

Beanie is engaged y'all!! And she's wearing a cozy knockoff of Barbra's concert dresses!

Everyone gets theirs in the end.

Welcome to Funny Girl, Lea!

Good for Beanie for beginning a happy marriage and supportive family.

She'll need it.

Gawker says the rumors are true. She begins September 30.

That ugly, obese cunt is constantly out. Zero respect for her audience, or for Broadway itself. Looking forward to her NEVER putting strain on any Broadwaybstage again. Fat pig.

Broadway is for ugly people, so your type of comment makes little sense.

Beanie's probably missing shows because she's having vocal troubles. I knew the moment I heard her sing that there was no way that little voice could handle the score 8 times a week. She has lousy technique, lousy support and no natural power. That's a recipe for vocal trouble.

Lea's done Broadway runs before--at least she has an idea of what's involved. (And, no Beanie doing Minnie Fae doesn't count--that is *not* a vocally demanding role.)

Starring in a Broadway show must be so exhausting. I was thinking the other day about little Patty Duke doing that physically strenuous role in The Miracle Worker for 700 performances, what does that do to a kid? At least she didn't have to remember lines.

You have to have the right voice for it. Like Glenn Close, for example, who sounded the same on her best and worst days.

I think Lea Michele will be doing six shows a week, and Julie Benko the remaining two

I can't wait for the # once Lea's justly famous charm works its magic on the company.

Still not 100% certain but getting very close

So what does Lea think of the unending horrors stories about her behavior with just about everyone that appear on the internet? I knew nothing about her until hearing about her as a replacement for Beanie. Jesus christ. It's amazing she gets hired for anything. They should go with Benko and give her a big media build up. Seems like people want to see Funny Girl. It is a great score.

There's a clip of a child Lea Michele complaining about working and going to school while he harpless mother looks on. I doubt Lea sees herself as anything other than the center of the universe.

*her hapless

[Quote] They should go with Benko and give her a big media build up.

If she coulda been, she woulda been. And that's show business.

Lea is too old to be a "girl." Don't you think?

[quote]Though she had the reputation of a cold imperious diva I don't think she had the mean nasty reputation Lea has.

You'd be wrong.

Please, Barbra forgot more than Lea knows when it comes to cuntiness. More subtle too- she would never tell someone she would shit in their wig.

She reminds me Idina Menzel. They could be sisters, with Sandra Bernhardt as their cousin.

Bernhard, r219. Didn’t Idina play Lea’s birth mother on Glee…or some such similar nonsense?

I'd never noticed that Lea has such a prominent underbite.

Yeah, she did--the biological mother

Idina's the one who should have had the FG revival.

Why not. An unbearable cunt like Patti Lupone is given 2nd, 3rd, 129th chances, after acting like a total vulgarian cunt 24/7. So why not Lea?

Patti has the talent to back it up.

Patty Lapone is a different generation. She does not have the please the Tumblr generation.

Some say talent, I say screaming hyena or the screaming prey's screams behind my house, when being hunted and killed by coyotes.

Who knew Linda Eder posted on Data Lounge? Do you think she sprung for the subscription?

OP, Are you Lea Michele? Advertizing for yourself? Day after day, week after week? Tirelessly?

Pathetic. Underhanded. Cheap.

Lea Michele is no girl. She's 35 years old! There are plenty of talented young women out there, age-appropriate performers just looking for a break.

35 is fine for playing Fanny Brice in stage. The character ages through the show. Yeah, 35 is on the upper end, but it's fine.

Where were you when Barbra was 21 and premiering in Funny Girl on March 26, 1964?

In my third trimester.

Beanie is 29, reads a little younger. I saw FG the other day. This girl tries VERY HARD but is just not up to the task. Her vocal fry does not help matters when singing and speaking. She couldn’t land the jokes and for a Jewish girl, she wasn’t as Jewish as she needed to be to play Fanny Brice. The less said about Jane Lynch the better and I’ve liked her in other things. Ramin and his abs though…

[quote]Advertizing

Oh, dear.

Will Rosie replace Jane?

R228 this topic is actually news that some people care about, even if just in a rubbernecking way.

And since LM has been auditioning for 10 years, it’s interesting to anticipate its conclusion.

Randy Graff for Mrs. Brice?

Rosie is living in LA. She might not want to move, since her kid is in school. Does the mother character wear a wig?

Would Tovah accept the role of Mrs. Brice?

Andrea Martin would do it in a heartbeat.

She’d wring every ounce of comedy and pathos in the role, excellent idea.

I'm available. My shoplifting days are over.

I guess it isn't shoplifting if you do it in a theater.

There’s a purse snatcher in the theater!

But scarcely a pussy grabber.

Linda Eder's voice and technique are (were? haven't heard her in a while) every bit as impressive as the gushing above indicates. I wouldn't say, however, that she wins many points for subtlety or nuance. And all indications are that there's minimal acting talent there. Between those facts and the much greater $ she's raked in as a concert artist, it's not so surprising that she's avoided the "legitimate" stage.

Patti for Mrs. Brice!

Patti Labelle as Mrs. Brice would be memorable.

Linda Eder manages to have huge overtones one octave up at the end of several of her numbers on her Broadway My Way recording. You have to listen for it because it's unusual to hear anyone pull it off because the pitch and vibrato have to be perfect. Once you hear it, though, you can't believe she can do it. It's crazy!

Bebe Neuwirth for Mrs. Brice

That’s a lot of good, smart choices for Mrs. Brice.

I think they definitely need a name, someone who could be as droll as Kay Medford and yet break your heart at the same time

Roger Friedman thought Michele Lee would be a good choice

Michele is too busy looking for her nose.

How did Michele's run of Wicked go?

Randy Graff has left the building.

[Quote] Randy Graff has left the building.

Has she joined Boyd Gaines and Malcolm Getz?

[quote]Roger Friedman thought Michele Lee would be a good choice

Michele Lee is 80 years old. Just no.

Lea Michele is perfect for the role of Fanny Brice and should've had it from the start. But, if the Tonys bend the rules to nominate her next year, I will be the one shitting in all their wigs...

Perfect? No one roots for Lea Michele.

R207 True she (Patty Duke) did not have any lines to memorize, but look at the choreography that she did every night 👍👍

[quote]If only she (Lea Michele) could tone it down and class it up.

Since when has the real thing - Streisand - EVER toned it down and classed it up?

What has she done to her face? It looks like it's melting.

Oops no, r255. I mixed her up with Hollis Resnik.

She looks like she's had some sort of eye lift. Is it called the Fox Eye Lift or something?

Can’t the producers buy out Bean Field’s contract? September must seem like a lifetime away to all concerned.

Some theater wags are saying no way that Beanie lasts out her contract

End of July. Bet.

If they wanted to they could’ve cast Jonah Hill in drag, and he would’ve probably been better than his sister from what I’ve seen online. I can’t think of another person to flop so hard in a star making vehicle as she has, at least in recent memory.

R232 Beanie reads YOUNGER to you?

Child, you need new glasses.

Beanie got old lady face...she looks perpetually 45.

Ephie Aardema is getting her big break today at 2pm. She’s in for Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” on Broadway.

Aardema ordinarily wouldn’t have this chance, but as dumb luck would have it, Beanie’s regular stand by, the popular Julie Benko, has COVID. She’s out til Tuesday.

Beanie misses a lot of shows. I love her, but she’s had the spottiest record on Broadway in some seasons. She should have been nominated for a Tony Award. Instead when she leaves in September she’ll have an award for most absences.

As I reported a couple of weeks ago, insiders at “Funny Girl” say “Glee” star Lea Michele is coming to replace Beanie.

We’re still waiting for announcement. Don’t rain on our parade!

[quote]She should have been nominated for a Tony Award.

To quote the inimitable Ouiser Boudreaux: "Are you high, Claree?"

Can the producers afford to buy insurance to cover the risk of Lea Michele's lips exploding?

How many stand bys does this show have? Is Ben Platt #4?

Is it unusual to have 2 stand bys?

There aren't two standbys. A standby doesn't appear in the show unless the lead is out.

I thought a standby was somebody who literally is in the building or very very close to it in case the star, say someone with morbid obesity and blood pressure issues, collapses unexpected or is injured when the floor collapses. An understudy has learned the part to cover during planned absence, like gastric band surgery or Restaurant Week.

Well whatever they are called, is it unusual to have 2 people that can do the lead role, if the "star" can't go on?

Lainie Kazan is Standby #8, so her big chance is getting closer to reality....

Lainie's voice didn't last long. There's audio on YT of her singing Rose's Turn poorly in late 1980s or early 1990s.

Well R278, that must be why she's not Standby #7.

There are standbys for specific lead roles. And there are swings who are expected to fill in for a number of roles.

R280 thank you

Beanie is officially leaving July 31.

Bingo!

She's doing Moose Murders as her next project.

Beanie baby.

“Once the production decided to take the show in a different direction, I made the extremely difficult decision to step away sooner than anticipated.”

Meaning: The Feldstein family pushed back against the Lea Michele casting and they lost.

[quote] However, Sandra Bernhard has always wanted to play this part. Yes, she's 70, but she would be a draw. Bette Midler played Dolly Levi at the age of at least 70, didn't she?

They could re-title it FUNNY CRONE!

I can’t think of another person to flop so hard in a star making vehicle as she has, at least in recent memory.

Why, you've forgotten her very best male friend:

I ready to step in!

Here we go. Official announcement coming tomorrow at 1PM EST…

It'll be Katherine Heigel Foster.

She's going early.

They are wrong to do this but people will flock to see Lea, many hoping that she bombs.

I will buy my ticket to Lea’s first performance after the announcement tomorrow at 1:01pm.

Only an insane person would miss her first performance.

When will Beanie return to the stage?

Lea Michelle ISN'T Fanny Brice! The show will close a few days after her debut due to her histrionics and shitty treatment of those around her. I give even money that someone in the chorus strangles her onstage.

The best thing that came out of the Beanie IS Fanny saga was the running pointless bitchery on DL.

Instead of strangulation I'd prefer to see someone someone slap her and everyone then getting in line to take a turn.

People might think it's part of the show, that's very vaudeville.

OP is Lea Michele! She is TOO OLD and MEAN. Nobody wants to work with the old bitch.

Is she leaving because she got shitty reviews? Why can't she just finish her run like a professional?

Beanie wisely turned off the comments on her IG post.

“Once the production decided to take the show in a different direction, I made the extremely difficult decision to step away sooner than anticipated.”

Translation: I was such a fucking disaster in the role and so incompetent and unreliable that for this production to have any credibility for Broadway legitimacy(not that I really give a fuck but my father is a producer and for him to lose more money I'd only be shooting myself in the foot) and for me to stop humiliating myself in front of the entire theatrical community I need to get my ample ass out of here now.

Shit draws more flies than Beanie.

And so she rolls along, but merrily?

Her own father couldn't see she has no talent? He deserves to lose his money.

I love that the producers response is STAY TUNED FOR AN EXCITING CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT COMING TOMORROW. Sounds like they talked Lea into coming in early. Benko will probably play a week or two until she’s ready.

Hopefully MIchele will sing the score well, but be mindful not to bring the HOSTILITY she brought to "Don't Rain on My Parade" when she sang in on the Tonys that year or to the rest of the score. Being funny would help, too. Hope someone works with her on her acting and timing in playing comedy.

Maybe that's the new direction the show will be going in. A hostile belligerent Fanny threatening to shit in everyone's wig.

R286 BINGO BANGO!

They should change the name of the show to Angry Girl.

I'm holding out for Oak.

"Out on Your Fanny Girl"

R311 Give up for your Elphaba for him first.

Lets face it: there are a lot of fat girls who are into theatre. This was not just Beanie's dream, deep down this was the dream of every fat theatre girl. And this is humiliating reality check for both. As stated above, Julie B will play most of August and then Lea Michele takes over. The FG Instagram post said "casting announcements" the question is if they are ready to announce Jane Lynch's replacement yet.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the producers did something original and unpredictable like not casting Lea Michele?

Helen Lawson is so unimpressed with Beanie's behaviour, not just the poor performance but not being a pro and showing up and doing her job. Broadway doesn't have time for that behaviour. What revival do you think Beanie will undertake to resuscitate her broadway reputation.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

I believe the different direction they want to go in is a professional Broadway production.

Sounds like the Beanie didn’t fit.

Hey Beanie

All she can expects is pity and a pat

different direction = different director?

There are rumors that Rosie O'Donnell will replace Jane Lynch. I've also heard they may be bringing in a new director.

Rosie's with her kid in LA. I doubt she take her out of school for this.

Rosie doesn't care about her kids ; she's totally self-centered.

Rosie could do a limited run and be home for Christmas. Or Halloween depending on the grosses.

Rosie will end up engaged to Lea!

I told you she wouldn’t make it to the end of July.

R324, Bullshit.

A new director in the show fixed/Mike Nichols sense?

*fixer

How do you go in a new direction in the middle of a show already running?

You bring in a tour with an All-Black cast.

Is anyone else getting the feeling it's not going to be Lea Michele?

Who could it be? The box office downturn suggest it will have to be a name. Would Idina Menzel accept the gig? Has she replaced since becoming a name?

It’s either Lea or they’re going to give Benko the star is born treatment.

Benko was never in the running, and they know now they have to have a real singer for this role. The producers not going to blow this chance. It’s Lea.

Don't overthink this, kids. It'll be Lea.

Only in NY, only in NY....

Honestly, the "new direction" should be to close this TURKEY!

If they were smart, they'd dump Ramin and book the "Blaine" guy from GLEE to play Nicky Arnstein.

[quote]There are rumors that Rosie O'Donnell will replace Jane Lynch.

That will certainly fix the "she doesn't seem remotely Jewish" problem.

It’s official!!!

Lea and Tovah are taking over 9/6!

Wasn't Kay Medford Irish Catholic?

'The people I have had the great joy of bringing Funny Girl to life with every night, both on and off the stage, are all remarkably talented and exceptional humans and I hope you continue to join them on Henry Street after I depart on July 31st.'

Every night? Ha ha ha.

They better triple their wig budget

I hate Beanie so much that I pray they give Lea a special Tony, just to spite her.

They are going to do away with wigs all together. Everyone will just have to appear on stage with their own hair and if they don't have any those are the breaks.

It is the only way they can force Lea to use a toilet.

I actually kind of want to see Funny Girl with Lea. She has been vying for that role for so long. Let's see what she can do with it.

I'll leave this stinking show ... WITH dignity!

Washington Post covers the Lea Michele news and also mentions stuff about Beanie, including some of the reviews of her performance.

[quote] “Funny Girl” received largely negative reviews. Variety’s Frank Rizzo referred to it as “underpowered.” The New York Times’s Jesse Green argued that the revival “shows why it took so long.” While making note of her zealous nature, critics panned Feldstein’s vocal abilities, particularly in contrast with Streisand’s.

[quote] The Washington Post’s Peter Marks stated that “while, for instance, you believed outright that Streisand was a star, with Feldstein, your foremost belief is that she believes she’s a star.”

‘Funny Girl’ producers ‘blindsided’ by Beanie Feldstein’s exit announcement

[quote] Producers of the Broadway revival “Funny Girl” were “blindsided” by Beanie Feldstein’s shocking exit announcement on social media, Page Six has learned.

[quote] A Broadway insider tells us that producers were planning on making the announcement on Monday – but Feldstein, 29, beat them to the punch when she posted on Sunday evening.

[quote] “She clearly doesn’t give a s–t,” the insider said of Feldstein, noting that it wasn’t a savvy move to ambush the show’s producers.

She should have used those savvy moves onstage not off.

Uh oh. Now the stories of what a nightmare she is are going to start spilling out.

God, I fucking hate that fat pig.

[quote] “She clearly doesn’t give a s–t,” the insider said of Feldstein, noting that it wasn’t a savvy move to ambush the show’s producers.

Savvy for what exactly? To keep the job?

[Quote] Would Tovah accept the role of Mrs. Brice?

Yes. Yes, she would.

[Quote] a different direction

I guess paper plates was the last straw for the Beanster.

this is a triumph! Sure she's a bitch, but I'm sick and tired of the untalented nice people getting everything.

R364, she may have hurt her reputation for future projects.

She's an asshole.

Michael Mayer & Co's reputations should be in tatters too. Beanie wasn't up to the role. (She should have soldiered on till the show closed, though.)

When I googled Lea Michele, DataLounge showed up on the first page.

Waiting for her "fans" to push for her performance to be nominated for a Tony even though it can't. (can it??)

That's because you visit Datalounge.

Will PBS film Lea's Fanny?

Told you it wouldn't be Ro. She's enjoying her millions at a Malibu beachfront with her kid. Why involve yourself with this shit show? And the highlight of her life was Barbra staying at her house.

Nah. Rosie's in her art room, well house. She barely sees her family.

Amazing.

How many of the remaining 24 performances this month will Beanie actually do?

I’m betting zero R368

I suggest a tracheotomy and the death of a beloved mogul husband in a plane crash to distract from one's being a slutty, crazy cunt.

They always brought ME luck.

Whatever anyone thinks of Benko’s performance it’s clear that she loves doing the show and wants to be there and she’s literally saved the show while Beanie was off sulking. Her reward is one full month of performances and every Thursday after that. Good for her.

R362, There is no replacement Tony, but at times there has been a real push to have it. When Harvey stepped into Fiddler and Jonathan Pryce was doing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels it almost happened. There was another push when Reba did Annie Get Your Gun (and she deserved it, too!).

It would never happen for Lea, but her crazy fans will be pushing hard for it and Michele herself will probably leak rumors they want to nominate her.

Nancy Pelosi weighs in.

Who even knows if Lea will be any good? Obviously she's a better singer, but I wouldn't be banking on an Tony talk- even imaginary.

Again there isnt Tony talk cause she cant be nominated as a replacement.

Which is why I said imaginary.

[Quote] it’s clear that she loves doing the show

Who gives a shit. She sings better. So does Liz Callaway. I don't want to see either performer as Fanny Brice.

Ann, her sister wrote The Nanny theme song.

Liz Callaway as a jewess. She can cover Tovah during the high holidays. That about does it.

Will Lea be able to behave herself during the production or will her cuntiness break free and wreak havoc once again?

Wil the production pay for her emotional support Groff?

I'll be on my best behavior. Now fuck off!

Will Lea be giving female anatomy lessons to chorus boys?

Time Out theater critic is saying that a source in the show says things are very tense. And that Beanie is blaming Julie (her understudy) for her downfall, whereas the rest of the cast loves Julie. The cast can't wait until Beanie just goes the fuck away.

I don't believe that. As much as the anti Beansters would like it to be true, Julie Benko has not become a sensation. And she won't.

Who?

Just because this role isn't making her a "star", doesn't mean the rest can't be true about Beanie and Julie. Maybe the cast does love her.

What does loving Julie have to do with Beanie? Are the cast posting glowing comments about Julie to a bulletin board in the theatre?

Julie doesn't have to be brilliant, she just had to be better than Beanie and that's pretty much the consensus. But Beanie really has herself to blame--she missed a ton of performances, of course people were going to look at her stand-by--and since Julie isn't famous or connected, she was going to be competent.

Better than Beanie won't get Benko far.

Beanie stupidly got off on the wrong foot by missing the first weekend of performances no matter that it was arranged in advance. Her own father as a producer had to be the one to tell her in no way could she do this. But indulging his spoiled brat already started the ill will that people had feeling that her very rich father was paying for his little baby's dream rather than producing a show for creditable talent. Beanie's fiasco will be a memorable one in Broadway history like Kelly and Moose Murders.

Nowhere has it been confirmed that Papa Feldstein is behind the production.

Why did she miss so many performances?

What the hell was she doing?

So many actresses would die to play this part and wouldn't dream of skipping any of them.

She probably couldn't sing the score.

It's kind of pathetic that Lea's biggest dream is to be seen as the next Barbra... Doing a new version of Barbra's music, riding on her coattails.

Why can't your dream be to be the first to do something?

I hate this remake culture.

I'm surprised a Beanie Bootleg hasn't leaked.

Why would Beanie have any reason to hate on Benko? Just because Benko is capable of actually singing the score? Beanie needs to leave even EARLIER and never fucking come back to Broadway.

Beanie will come back in a play. Speed The Plow, maybe.

I play the piano but otherwise have no musical experience or talents. So I'm wondering if those who think Lea is bad can explain? I think she has a wonderful voice, but I have noticed that she's always loud, as if there is no other gear than flat-out. Is that part of the problem? Is she pitchy and I just can't hear it? I've just always been curious about what her issues are.

The issues are truly personal. She's a terrible person, look it up on the Internet or on the many DL threads.

[quote]Why would Beanie have any reason to hate on Benko?

Already wounded by the reviews and Tony snub, Beanie got even more insecure when she kept hearing that Benko was better than her. Apparently, Beanie is convinced that Benko was *trying* to undermine her by posting to social media when she would appear.

What Beanie fails to realize is that if she hadn't been an unreliable no-show, Benko never would have gone on to show her up.

Beansie will be up for a lead in the Hairspray revival.

What -- it could happen.

[quote]Beansie will be up for a lead in the Hairspray revival.

In Little Rock

Edna will eventually be played by a woman, I expect.

I'm not sure if it survived Covid, but there's a dinner theater in Tustin, right off the 5 freeway. Beanie could try that.

Wouldn't it be delicious if suddenly they announced that Lady Gaga would actually be playing Fanny Brice?

I saw Lea in Ragtime and couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was a natural. Years later, I was excited to see her as Anne Frank, but she turned in a very stilted and stagy performance. After that, I saw her in Spring Awakening and was struck by her interesting pop sound contrasting with a (still) stagy and stilted acting style.

As for her singing, she seems to have no organic impulses. She copies others very closely, but without the finesse or skill that comes from a truthful performance. She also has a good, but limited singing voice. She strains and lacks the kind of power that connects to an audience,

I think she even alienates the audience, as I've can see from her stomping down the aisle at the Tony's. She hasn't an ounce of humor, so why the fuck is she being considered for playing a comedian?

Click-click-click...

[quote]The cast can't wait until Beanie just goes the fuck away.

Gives them a chance at the crafts table.

The British theater queen with his you tube channel whose favorite musical which I believe is Cats and has never seen this production of the show ascribes the universal criticism of her performance to fatphobia. Which of course enrages him.

Yeah I saw that video of his too. Look he's not wrong - how many here crap on her weight? - but its really her voice that's the issue.

Lea has the voice...but not the charm and warmth and comedy chops required, so now they're just switching problems.

This revival will go down in infamy. I'm kinda weirdly loving it. Juicy.

Julie Benko, randomly, is the one bright spot.

Nepotism and lack of talent did her in, the weight was just added fodder. If she had a fabulous voice and was good in the part, no one would care.

No one gets to revive Funny Girl on Broadway because they're Jonah Hill's sister.

If Beanie had been a sensational singer, not a soul would have said a thing about her weight. Period.

Not true. Anyone following Streisand was gonna receive slings and arrows.

Is that what happened to Mimi Hines and Barbara Cook, R416?

R399, yes, Lea sings like a bulldozer--all out with no nuance. And, yes, she can be pitchy.

By the way, Beanie is fat

[quote]yes, Lea sings like a bulldozer--all out with no nuance

What's wrong with that, bitch?

[quote]If she had a fabulous voice and was good in the part, no one would care.

Oh yes we would. Her name wasn't Fatty Brice.

Yeah, if you knew enough theatre history to know what Fanny Brice looked like and sounded like, you'd care, but most would have given Beanie a pass if she'd had a big voice to go with the big body.

The real Fanny Brice was thin and small enough that one of her specialties was playing Baby Snooks--a superbratty child. Here she is with Judy. Judy was 4'11"--Brice looks about 5'2"

Physically, Lea Michelle's good casting.

If the signers of the Declaration of Independence can all be women, then Fanny can be fat. Why the hypocrisy?

Where are Cook's reviews, r417,Ortrud?

And Fanny was a clothes horse with a lovely figure...

[quote]Brice looks about 5'2"

How tall would that make Billy Rose, r422?

R423, it's not hypocritical if you think neither one is a good idea. Seriously, I'd rather have a fat Fanny than the all-female 1776, which just reads like stunt-casting for the sake of stunt-casting.

Keala Settle's Fanny!

[quote]all-female 1776, which just reads like stunt-casting for the sake of stunt-casting.

And still better than an all-tranny cast.

Lea was really good in "Uncut Diamonds" with Adam Sandler. She played his wife and I was surprised how good she was.

Good grief

Another opinion on Beenee.

That was posted already.

To which someone on ATC pondered, why is that writer so hung up that a swoon-worthy actor is playing Nick? Shouldn't they want Nick to be also plus-sized to make their world all right?

Beanie out all weekend again. Tonsillitis, ha!

Tonsillitis is not innately contagious--it can be caused by a virus or a bacteria that's contagious--but tonsillitis is a symptom that can be caused by any number of things. Her Instagram doesn't really make sense. Does she have strep? Then say strep.

She's got nothing. Too lazy to finish out her entire abbreviated run.

This whole Beanie fuckery has been more entertaining than anything in Funny Girl. A show biz saga worthy of Valley of the Dolls.

It's sure better than the book of the 2nd act, that's for sure.

Ever since a DL'er once posted that Lea will grow up to look like Lani Kazan at her heaviest, I haven't been able to see her as anything else.

Lainie was a bombshell when young. Lea, not so much.

Cancel culture advocate question hire of Lea.

There is a reason fat people aren't the stars of Broadway musicals. They can't do it. Her doctor told her she would drop dead from a heart attack during Rat a Tat Tat.

She's gross.

What did Lea (allegedly) do to the trans, per the accusations in the article linked at r442? Was that just tossed in to be au courant?

Here’s what is ironic, especially with how this saga unfurled, met Lea on a professional and personal basis several times, never a bitch, sometimes a little needy, and once shockingly affectionate. This was during and immediately after the Spring Awakening “hot” time. Had some time with both Beanie and her BFF Ben Platt, both were insufferable and one was outrageously insulting to a support staffer. Ok, that was Ben, but she still giggled!

I hear the Glee set was TOXIC and really brought out the worst in everybody. Cast members who joined after season one were forever being hazed by the original cast. Lea was not her best in those environs, obviously.

What's her excuse for Sprin Awakening?

Was that Ricky Ricardo's pronunciation of that show?

Does Beanie get paid when she doesn’t perform due to illness? Just curious if she still brings in the paychecks with all of her cancelled performances.