The Only Way to Describe the Beanie Feldstein/Funny Girl Dustup is a Dumpster Fire

In Hollywood, one of the methods that producers use to fill seats is to hire performers who are well known to the audience. The problem is that this method does not always work. Just because an actor is famous does not guarantee that they are right for the role or that fans will respond in a positive manner.

For the last few months, Beanie Feldstein has been headling in the new revival of Funny Girl. Though most of the reviews were not entirely bad, they were not entirely good either. Though I haven’t seen it, close family members have. What they told me echoed what has been written about the production.

Feldstein was supposed the role of Fanny Brice until the end of September. She is now leaving at the end of this month.

To be fair, this is the first revival of the musical since its premiere in 1964. Given that the only person who has played the title role is Barbra Streisand, the expectations perhaps need to be a little more realistic..

Lea Michele of Glee fame will be taking over from Feldstein in the fall. Though it has only been a few days, the rumor mill in regards to Michele’s supposed diva behavior has not stopped churning.

I’m obviously not in showbusiness. But I have been in the working world for nearly two decades. From my perspective, this is a dumpster fire than can only go one of two ways: Michele can prove her critics wrong and the show will last. Or, it will all go down in flames and the reputation of this beloved Broadway musical will have a tarnish on it that will remain on it forever.

Advertisement

RIP Kelly Preston and Naya Rivera

Life is unpredictable. We may be here the next day and gone the next day.

This morning, we woke up to the news of Kelly Preston‘s passing. After a two year battle with breast cancer, she passed away at the young age of 57.

Her husband and now widower, John Travolta, released the following statement:

“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer,” Preston’s husband, actor John Travolta, wrote on Instagram. “She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.”

Breast cancer, like all cancers is a b*tch. It indiscriminately kills, leaving only memories and grieving loved ones. I know all too well the pain this disease causes. My heart goes out to her husband, her children and all those who loved her.

Last weekend, Glee star Naya Rivera went out for a day on the lake with her son. She never returned home. After nearly a week of searching, her body was found today. Rivera was 33.

I’m not a huge Glee fan, but what hurts is that she was so young. We all know that life is all too precious and too short. But to die so young and leave her son with only the barest of memories is emotionally gutting. If I could hug him, I would do so.

May their memories be a blessing to us all. Z”l.

Throwback Thursday-Glee (2009-2015)

For many, high school is difficult, to say the least. But, if you can find a group of friends, the experience is just a tiny bit easier.

Glee aired from 2009-2015. The show followed a glee club as they perform while balancing everything that is high school. Led by teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and egged on Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), this musical take on high school was and still is unique within the genre of teen based television shows.

I was not a huge fan of Glee. I may have watched an episode or two, but it was not one of the programs that I regularly tuned in for. That being said, I can understand the appeal of this show and I appreciated the diversity of the characters.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.