She's been in the role long enough now that she's truly makes the interpretation of the role and the music her own, not just a carbon copy of Streisand. Her voice show such a range in the songs, she can sing it personal and she can shake the rafters. She is the actress the revival needed from the start. So glad that she eventually got the role and look forward to an eventual cast recording.
@day Go to hell. This topic is not about religion. Ok, so many prayers were answered when Lea Michele took over the role, it was the Boxoffice God they were praying to.
I'm glad she's publicly apologized for her previous bad/diva behaviour. That said, she is absolutely stunning as Fanny. They should have cast her in the first place.
A gorgeous, rich performance. Full of emotion, and the chemistry with Ramin feels like old school Hollywood. This is the production that always should've been. Bravo, Lea!!!
Years ago an acting coach said it was important to know how to listen in a scene. Ramin does this beautifully. My eyes kept going to him watching her. This is a lovely set-up for this song. Perfectly acted and sung. Never got tears when watching the movie. Brava and bravo.
He’a a master at it! I act as well and genuinely listening to your fellow actor in a scene is often one of the hardest things to do. Ramin is absolutely brilliant! He does it perfectly here and in everything I’ve ever seen him in.
@@fullmetalandtheflame438 I know, the tendency is trying to remember your next line! LOL. My teacher said to watch Katherine Hepburn - best listener in film. You are drawn by her silence and wondering what she's thinking about what the other character(s) are saying. In one of the recent interviews he asked if he could respond to Lea because she would throw in funny bits that weren't scripted. The director told him - absolutely. He is such a generous actor and singer, and this pairing is just amazing. So grateful for these videos since I am unable to see the show.
@@angelodimichino3620 I wish I could see the show, this is the closest thing to it I have, but I agree. Live theater always offers more than film because the audience is a part of the show. They took out The Music That Makes Me Dance in the film and inserted My Man. Granted that was a Fanny song, but when she first sang it, it wasn't in the context of her relationship with Nicky. A lot of people don't like Act II, but the marriage fell apart - what do people expect. As you say - with the score intact is a better experience because it flows and makes sense - each song is relevant to the time line.
This is not the “Glee” Lea. Her voice has matured so much! She’s no Babs duh! We all know that. But Lea is her own Fanny Brice! Definitely Tony worthy!!!
They could give her the *Tony Honors for Excellence in Theater* which "recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that do not fit into any of the competitive categories."
After this, im sure she'll get another shot at a Tony Edit: I know she's not eligible for a competitive Tony for this role. I meant that she'll get another chance to star in a Broadway show where she is Tony-eligible.
@@bonniefeldman9444 The show was eligible for this past year as a revival along with Music Man and Company (which won) and another show I can't recall. Beanie was eligible, but not nominated. Lea is a replacement, which is why she isn't eligible.
She is truly remarkable. One of the best voices in a long time to reveal itself and be shared on the stage. Just WOW! Her acting is so lovely, gentle and graceful. Brava!!! 🧡🧡🧡
I don't to be mean but the last actress was really miscast. I'm not a huge fan of Lea but I think she is much better with better chemistry and singing. Nobody will ever be Barbra.
I notice Leah kind of squeaks on her big dramatic notes at the end of the song. That was written up, and now I can’t not notice it in her Vocals. She can clean that up.
jeffrey a: Beanie was a dumpling disaster. “Like melted butter.” BUT the problem is trying to cast the role of Fanny and not have her imitate Streisand. But Streisand’s interpretation isn’t the only way to play the role. Although I don’t believe she would play Rosie Brice BUT the potential for FUNNY GHOST is possible: Streisand plays Fanny Brice after the plot of the film FUNNY LADY but, plays herself playing Fanny in the Broadway musical FUNNY GIRL. Huh, what ya think? Will it go, would you invest. Since you believe your friend ‘Barbra’ can do no wrong-except for HELLO, DOLLY!”-it won’t!!
@JonathanH she has always done that. Almost a trademark squeak of hers. Doubt she will ever change even if it annoys a few, most look past it because of how nearly flawless the rest of her vocals are
At the risk of being called a heretic, I like this version better than the film, which I watched the other night. In the movie, Fanny and Nick are physically far apart and he is just standing and watching her - all the camera action is on her. I also like the way Lea sings this - it isn't the Streisand belt - but is more appropriate to the scene. The film clip was cut, so didn't include the bit of dialogue with Nick or the kiss or the cute little dance move, it went directly to the closing reprise. Overall, I think Barbra was overdressed in the film (the dress, the hair, too much). This just seems more natural and real. JMO. Still love Barbra, there is no one like her, but seeing the movie now, after having seen scenes from the show, I prefer the show.
@@marquamfurniture She has a maturity Streisand didn't have when she did the show or the film. Life experience. Acting can only take you so far. Everyone keeps saying Act II still doesn't work entirely. It's a sucky story, but most grudgingly admit to all of it coming together. This is because a mature woman is in the role. As for the vocals - I was an original Streisand fan, but got tired of her machinations when she sings. Her voice is still unique, but I preferred her earlier stuff. Lea is new to me and I don't know how big a fan I am of her voice, per se. She has a lovely quality and gives her all when she sings, it's not controlled schtick.
Why is it that each note, all lyrics are so crystal to listen to in Lea's version? I can imagine that even the last patron at the last row of the theatre can hear and feel her sing this song by Lea. She IS FUNNY GIRL!!
I am not trying to shade anyone, but this role was waaaay too much for Beanie. Lea really makes beanie's performance look amateur. Like highschool amateur.
Oh gosh she sounds amazing there are literally tears in my eyes. Also, Ramin is dreamy as always. Thanks for this! I really hope you could upload more for folks like me who have no way of ever watching this show but want to experience it even a little bit ❤
I need a bootleg cause her performance in this show which is one of my all time favorite shows and a show I never expected to get back on Broadway! Lea is a force and I wish I could watch her living this dream cause I can feel her joy and love for this role through the camera!
Wow. Funny Girl no longer belongs solely to Streisand. After seeing this rendition, I finally understand how the song advances the plot. Truly a star turn.
The lyrics to People really never made sense, in fact, the original producers were going to cut it, but Streisand "knew" it would be a hit for her and sang it at a concert or something, so people got to know it and they had to leave it in.
@@Makeji Yeah, even though I absolutely adore "People" and consider it pure magic, I feel like its message doesn't fit with Fanny. Her character journey isn't that she needs to learn to appreciate people. In fact, her journey is the opposite. She seeks validation too much from people and doesn't see her self-worth until the end (which, when you think about it, also means "I'm the Greatest Star" doesn't quite make sense either). "People" makes more sense when it's sung to a bitter loner like Ebenezer Scrooge, and that's exactly the context it was written for in Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol before it got cut from that special and moved to Funny Girl.
@@Aiwkid I will give them credit, and the actors, for making it work. In real life, Fanny actually totally believed in herself and worked from her early teens on being recognized - so, I'm the Greatest Star is actually like the real Fanny. She was obsessed with Nicky though. She had been married for 3 years, I think, to another older man, but was divorced. I suspect she met Nicky at a burlesque house and a lot of that is true. They got together, even though he was married (his wife sued her for alienation of affection). When he was incarcerated in SingSing, she went to visit him as often as she could. He was her weak spot, if you want to call it that. In that sense, the song works - she wanted him.
@@Makeji Great points! I think in a weird way, Fanny gets three "I Want" songs in this show which serve different purposes. "I'm the Greatest Star" is what she's sure she wants and because of that and how upbeat it is, we know it's what's right for her. "People" is what she only thinks she wants, but it's toxic, so the more emotional nature of it is signaling her downfall. Then "Don't Rain on My Parade" has its foot in both doors with the main song being the wrong path for her but then the finale reprise showing her course-correcting back to what she wanted in "Greatest Star." When looked at that way, the songs do make more sense than I initially thought.
This is the second song I've seen and she sings great but what did they spend on staging? 2 bucks? I've never seen a musical this sparse. Aren't musicals usually over the top staging or is that only Andy?
I am so happy to have found your channel...your videos are terrific! I've heard so much about this show revival and change in the lead role....wonderful!! Loved seeing these 2 Broadway stars together!! Again, thank you for taking the time to post this series of Funny Girl videos...much appreciated!!
If there's any takeaway from this show, it's that just because you love someone, it doesn't mean you should be with them. In real life, Arnstein was all wrong for Fanny, and their divorce (due to his infidelity) scarred her for life.
I found it but it is disguised under a random heading. I assume it is illegal and might be removed if I posted the link but I was able to watch Lea’s entire performance.
Beautiful performance. Beautiful song. But the lyrics still don't make sense. I can understand why they thought of taking it out of the show originally. But I'm glad they didn't because I just listened to the music and try to ignore the lyrics. But that's me
Given the money the show seems to be raking in now, you'd think they could reinvest some in better sets because you are right the sets look very low budget and low effort for Broadway. Like, they picked up a table and a few chairs off the curb or something
Leah Michele sang superbly in the show but didnt connect emotionally with me. And that tap dance move at the end was corny. In 2024 look up Katerina McCrimmon in the touring co. please. The voice, the emotion, pierced my soul. Katerina will win the Tony for this.
I got to see her Thursday at Segerstrom Threatre in Costa Mesa ❤ I love love her acting in the musical, her singing is very VERY beautiful as well. But I have to admit, I love Leas rendition of People a little more. But man, that McCrimmon girl absolutely devoured the role of Fanny Brice. You could hear everyone talking about it after the show.
And will say, the "funny bit" at the end where she dances while Nick looks at her 😂😂 Kate did it a lot better, made the entire theater laugh hard as hell
Thank you so much for posting this, Michele Costa. I am absolutely thrilled for Lea!! It's been a rough couple of years for her, so I'm glad she's able to show everyone who she really is. And maybe she was controlling and belligerent during her time on Glee (which I never missed an episode during my 60s. They were all like my grandchildren to me. Just super talented!) But I would like to know why her co-stars never said anything until 6 years later ... WHILE SHE WAS PREGNANT!! Anyone who has ever experienced being pregnant and giving birth (Heather Morris!) should know what an emotional journey that is. If they had negative things to say, they could have said them after she had the baby. Or most definitely in the years before. My heart went out to her as all those nasty things were said during her pregnancy. Those would have been hard enough to endure at any time. But it was absolutely CRUEL to do it while she was pregnant. I'm happy that she has her beautiful little boy, and now a career doing the one show that has been in her heart since she was a child. And audiences love her!!! No matter what you think of her, you can't deny that she is one of the most talented young performers we've ever seen! So you keep knocking it out of the park, Lea!!! 💗
@Michele Costa - would you consider adding Ramin Karimloo's Temporary Arrangement to this list? He has a lot of fans on RU-vid who are following this show. We'd love to see his only solo. Thanks!
Thanks 😊 it is so beautifully done I'm hoping to go!! She is so impeccably good! I love my Barbra ! and Now we have Lea! We are blessed and so are they!!!!!
Thank you so much for these!!!!! If you have You are Woman, I am Man, I beeeeeg you to upload it, I can’t find it anywhere and i am dying to see Ramin is driving me insane lol
