Beanie Feldstein eviscerated in Funny Girl reviews

[LilyLark 10,066]

 

  This is one of the kinder reviews....honestly felt like some crossed the line from being critical into straight up cruelty (a few took digs at Beanie's looks/body). I mostly stay off entertainment twitter because it's become such a cesspool, but I was curious....they used to love Beanie (she was a twitter darling) and now she's being slandered like crazy (even by some blue checks).

 Anyway, it sounds like she just doesn't have the vocal range...though it's tough to believe (nepotism or not) that she would be cast without being able to sing the songs so I'm wondering if it's less that she doesn't have the range and more that her vocals just aren't as good as the usual Broadway star (Sutton Foster, etc.). Then again, no shade to Sondheim (and I'm fully aware he has nothing to do with Funny Girl) but he used to mildly snark on some pop girls with serious pipes while being fine with less than stellar, more "serious" actors (like Meryl) singing his songs. So I could perhaps see the casting people being enamored with Beanie being a critical darling and overlooking her less than stellar singing...Some of the critics also seem to be dinging her for just not having the vocal chops of a young Barbra.

Ironically, some of the critics/film twitter types who slandered Gaga circa Gucci were like "this should have been Gaga". But the reaction makes me think any non Broadway actor taking on an iconic role like this on Broadway-short of Cabaret, which has been done by a million people-would have been given a difficult time by the critics. IF Gaga ever does Broadway, I hope it's something original.

[CheapGin 558]

I saw the West End revival in 2016, and I remember thinking the show itself is flawed but worth watching with a killer lead.

I saw Sheridan Smith, and she was captivating. I was in the complete back row of the theatre and loved every minute.

I am still curious to see Beanie because I love her in Crime Story and enjoyed the musical last time I saw it; bad reviews don't typically stray me because I like to size things up myself but I hope I can do that for this one! Very critical reception….

And PS after the 2016 West End revival I thought it would come to Broadway sooner and I did think Gaga would be doing it but I think when her Broadway moment comes she will write original musical ala Cyndi and Elton for Kinky Boots and Lion King 

[The Shallow 86]

I saw Beanie and I honestly thought she was great  Whatever she lacked in vocals she made up for with her acting and perfect physical comedy. There's no point in comparing her to Barbra because they're just so different. I think it's a shame that people are so bitter that they had to completely destroy her because they didn't want to see a new take on the role. I think she deserves a lot of credit for taking it on!

[LilyLark 10,066]

36 minutes ago, CheapGin said:

I saw the West End revival in 2016, and I remember thinking the show itself is flawed but worth watching with a killer lead.

I saw Sheridan Smith, and she was captivating. I was in the complete back row of the theatre and loved every minute.

I am still curious to see Beanie because I love her in Crime Story and enjoyed the musical last time I saw it; bad reviews don't typically stray me because I like to size things up myself but I hope I can do that for this one! Very critical reception….

And PS after the 2016 West End revival I thought it would come to Broadway sooner and I did think Gaga would be doing it but I think when her Broadway moment comes she will write original musical ala Cyndi and Elton for Kinky Boots and Lion King 

A good point that the show is inherently flawed and needs a killer lead (vocally) to pull it off.  I usually ignore reviews myself if the project looks interesting enough, too.

I'm guessing you live near or in London? I'm jealous...I lived in Crouch End for around two years a while back and went to see shows whenever I could afford it in the West End. Now I'm back home in California and we don't have much of a (musical) theater scene...though shows sometimes come here.

[HIM820 1,788]

I have a friend who was able to see it, and he actually said she was the highlight of the show for him and heavily carried it. The show itself is only well known because it’s original lead became a star while it was running and the songs became pop hits. When you look at the bare bones, it’s severely lacking in many areas and would have to be overhauled and changed to really work. I don’t know if it’s really worth it though. 
 

I don’t think people consider that certain things worked in the past because things all fell into place and were circumstantial. The original production and the movie are heavily influenced by the 1960s (even though it’s set in the early 1900s) and by Barbra herself. When you take both of those out, the story problems will become more noticeable. 

[Petrichor 4,640]

1 hour ago, The Shallow said:

I saw Beanie and I honestly thought she was great  Whatever she lacked in vocals she made up for with her acting and perfect physical comedy. There's no point in comparing her to Barbra because they're just so different. I think it's a shame that people are so bitter that they had to completely destroy her because they didn't want to see a new take on the role. I think she deserves a lot of credit for taking it on!

THIS! Saw Funny Girl today and I absolutely loved it... yes, Beanie was *barely* nasally when she sang, but she was hysterical and she carried the show, though her cast-mates were awesome too. She actually did a great job on "Don't Rain on my Parade". I want to see it again.

[Charmz 4,129]

I loved her so much in impeachment 

[Bling 31,288]

I don't really get the hype around her, she was very underwhelming in Impeachment imo, but she must be doing something right 

[RAMROD 107,493]

Just now, WheresMy911Alice said:

I don't really get the hype around her, she was very underwhelming in Impeachment imo, but she must be doing something right 

She is Jonah Hill's sister, and their parents are Hollywood wealthy, that's your answer for this question.  

[Bling 31,288]

3 minutes ago, RAMROD said:

She is Jonah Hill's sister, and their parents are Hollywood wealthy, that's your answer for this question.  

Ohhhh, now it makes sense

[Meat 18,962]

4 minutes ago, RAMROD said:

She is Jonah Hill's sister, and their parents are Hollywood wealthy, that's your answer for this question.  

I love her but her father is the show’s producer right?

[CheapGin 558]

13 hours ago, LilyLark said:

A good point that the show is inherently flawed and needs a killer lead (vocally) to pull it off.  I usually ignore reviews myself if the project looks interesting enough, too.

I'm guessing you live near or in London? I'm jealous...I lived in Crouch End for around two years a while back and went to see shows whenever I could afford it in the West End. Now I'm back home in California and we don't have much of a (musical) theater scene...though shows sometimes come here.

I was studying abroad in London in 2016–I love theatre but the real London theatre scene is in the fringe/avant- guard scene. I saw as much as I could on the West End though!

I am in NY now, but have only made it to Broadway once since the pandemic (to see Company!), but Funny Girl has been on my list since Beanie was announced!! I have some friends who might want to go too, we shall see….

[flyaway 15,350]