Give Beanie Feldstein Credit For Going First

Say what you will (and most of you have) about the first-ever revival of the musical Funny Girl, you have to acknowledge that whoever was going to play Fanny Brice was going to be subjected to more scrutiny than, perhaps, anyone in the history of musical theatre. As Beanie Feldstein found out from the very first preview. I’ll bet she knew what she was up against, but she went into Broadway’s breach nonetheless.

Barbra Streisand’s shoes are impossible to fill. Yet the expectation was that any actress who took on this part would be required to do just that. From that perspective alone this is a losing proposition. Streisand is a once-in-a-generation artist and the musical was tailored to her particular talents. No one before or after will ever be Streisand. But somehow we expect anyone playing this part to be as good as she was.

While some might argue that casting is of paramount importance in the success of any show, I’d offer that even more credit, in this case, has to go to Feldstein for agreeing to be the first person to face the collective firing squad of theater queens, social media and critics.

The success or failure of any first revival has fallen on her shoulders. Not on any other cast member and not on director Michael Mayer. I would have to believe that Feldstein knew the eyes of the musical-loving world were focused like laser beams on her every move. How many of us would make such a brave decision? In a world where playing it safe has become far too commonplace, Feldstein did just the opposite.

Her doing so will also make it easier for anyone – literally anyone – to do the show. Even her replacement once Feldstein leaves the show in September. Someone had to be first. Beanie Feldstein chose to be that person.

Rumors have it that Lea Michele will be taking over the part when Feldstein leaves. If she does she will owe her predecessor an enormous amount of gratitude and respect. She who goes second will have a much easier path.

Simply put, without Feldstein’s nerve it might have been even longer before there was a revival of Funny Girl. I’m willing to bet there will never be as long a time between Broadway productions of this musical.

I have seen Funny Girl and while I found some of it very satisfying, it didn’t fully succeed for me for a multitude of reasons. What I did leave feeling was a profound amount of respect for Feldstein for singing she’s the greatest star knowing how many people were going to rain on her parade.

Photo: Beanie Feldstein in Funny Girl (Photo by Matthew Murphy)