Threaded Order Chronological Order
| Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: kieran 05:35 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Someone posted on Facebook that he’s been cast but I can’t find a confirmation. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: Snowgrace 01:05 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - kieran 05:35 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Years ago, back when he was dating Sutton Foster, Bobby C was supposed to play Nicky in a planned revival. He would be great! Just saw him singing & dancing in the superb ROMANCE & CIGARETTES. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: mlop 09:59 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - kieran 05:35 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Brent Barrett would be perfect | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: portenopete 10:57 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - mlop 09:59 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Brent Barrett is in his 60s. He would have been perfect casting 25 years ago. Cannavale is also a bit old at 51 (especially given Beanie Feldstein is 28), but he has a nice blend of suave and rough hewn. Tony Yazbeck might have been a more age-appropriate match but I imagine that they want more of a name, especially since Ms Feldstein is not really known to the vast majority of the theatre-going public. Curious to see Ms Feldstein. I have only seen her in Dolly and the odd screen appearance. She is charming and sweet and a good actress but I hadn't thought of her a comedienne particularly. Which is not to say she won't be wonderful. I think her likability will take her a long way in the role. |
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| in defense of an older Arnstein. . . | |
| Posted by: Berrygirl49 (motherstrawberry@hotmail.com) 11:25 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - portenopete 10:57 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| As I recall, there's no mention of Mr. Brice. Therefore, an older man has special appeal to Fanny because he's a de facto father figure. And how about Robert Creighton (Cagney) as Eddie? Frank Langella as Ziegfeld? Klea Blackhurst as Mrs. Brice? |
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| re: in defense of an older Arnstein. . . | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 01:26 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: in defense of an older Arnstein. . . - Berrygirl49 11:25 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| As I recall, there's no mention of Mr. Brice. Therefore, an older man has special appeal to Fanny because he's a de facto father figure. I know that the show is not a biography, but in real life, Arnstein was not quite 2 years older than Brice. Why make him a de facto father figure out of the blue? |
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| re: in defense of an older Arnstein. . . | |
| Posted by: larry13 03:51 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: in defense of an older Arnstein. . . - Chromolume 01:26 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Agreed, but I think the "de facto father figure" explanation only came up because Cannavale IS old enough to be Feldstein's father. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 01:07 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - mlop 09:59 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| He’s 64. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: Roman 01:31 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: Roman 01:30 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - KingSpeed 01:07 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| When did THAT happen? I’m feeling older by the minute! | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 04:43 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - Roman 01:30 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| I hear you. I’m 47 next week. What the heck! | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: champagnesalesman 01:04 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - mlop 09:59 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Brent Barrett is in his 60's...he could play Ziegfeld but not Nick opposite Beanie who is in her 20's. They could use a star in this role(and for the role of Mrs. Brice) to sell tickets and since this is based on the London production, Nick has a bit more to do though some of it is ill-conceived(like WHO ARE YOU NOW as a duet for Nick and Fanny)Here's hoping the threadbare production will be beefed up for Broadway. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: Circlevet 09:42 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - kieran 05:35 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| I had heard Ramin Karimloo which I think is a good choice. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: portenopete 11:03 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - Circlevet 09:42 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Ramin Karimloo as Nicky would be a bit of a nod to Omar Sharif and the infamous Egyptian kissing a Jewish girl "controversy". Of course as the name suggests, Nicky Arnstein was a German Jew in real life. Apart from his talent and charisma, why DID they cast Sharif? Who else was considered? What 40-ish, sexy male stars were there who would have been believable? Anthony Quinn? Burt Lancaster? Kirk Douglas? |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: larry13 03:57 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - portenopete 11:03 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Quinn, Lancaster and Douglas--and some of the other names mentioned elsewhere--were all in their 50s when the film was made. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 01:53 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - portenopete 11:03 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| From Wikipedia: Jule Styne wanted Frank Sinatra for the role of Nicky Arnstein, but the actor was willing to appear in the film only if the role was expanded and new songs were added for the character. Ray Stark thought Sinatra was too old and preferred someone with more class like Cary Grant, even though Grant was eleven years older than Sinatra. Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, Sean Connery, David Janssen, and James Garner were also considered. Egyptian Omar Sharif was cast to star opposite the Jewish Streisand after Wyler noticed him having lunch in the studio commissary. When the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt broke out, studio executives considered replacing Sharif, but both Wyler and Streisand threatened to quit if they did. Later, the publication of a still depicting a love scene between Fanny and Nicky in the Egyptian press prompted a movement to revoke Sharif's citizenship. When asked about the controversy, Streisand replied, "You think Cairo got upset? You should see the letter I got from my Aunt Rose!" |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: champagnesalesman 12:03 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - portenopete 11:03 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| David Janssen, fresh off THE FUGITIVE and half-Jewish as well, was close to being cast as Arnstein when Sharif entered the picture. I think many male stars were afraid of being blown off the screen by Streisand, though she had great chemistry with many of her leading men. | |
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| That loud whirring noise…. | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 12:19 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - champagnesalesman 12:03 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| ….is Walter Matthau, spinning in his grave. Laura, who knows champagnesalesman said “many,” but couldn’t resist anyway |
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| re: That loud whirring noise…. | |
| Posted by: PaulGrin 01:59 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: That loud whirring noise…. - showtunetrivia 12:19 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Barbra Streisand was 27 and Walter Matthau was 49 when they made the film version of "Hello, Dolly!" It's interesting that there's more of an age difference between Beanie & Bobby. | |
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| re: That loud whirring noise…. | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 02:42 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: That loud whirring noise…. - PaulGrin 01:59 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| "Dolly" is different though, in that Matthau almost always read as older, and Dolly is after his money from that start, not necessarily in a romantic way. Dolly is after security --- and maybe some company as well. She's not gaga in love or attracted to him the way Fanny is when she sees Nicky Arnstein and his fancy tuxedo shirt. | |
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| re: That loud whirring noise…. | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 09:00 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: That loud whirring noise…. - PlayWiz 02:42 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| No, but it is kinda hard to feel the impact of Dolly's story when she's only 27. Boy, it's such a magnificent return to the human race when you haven't been to Harmonia Gardens in, what - a month? :-) | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 11:00 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 10:59 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - Circlevet 09:42 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| I've seen Karimloo's name mentioned on the BroadwayWorld message board, too, but I'd rather see him in a leading role with much more to sing. Gleb, the expendable bad-guy role he was given in ''Anastasia,'' was a waste of this Tony nominee and Theatre World winner's time and talent. Trivia: Nicky Arnstein lived until 1965, so I assume he must've heard about his role in ''Funny Girl'' (1964). I wonder if he ever saw the show. |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: FleetStreetBarber 08:43 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - WaymanWong 10:59 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| It certainly is plausible that he saw the show, given that his daughter with Fanny, Frances, was married to the show's producer, Ray Stark. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 02:12 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 02:11 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - FleetStreetBarber 08:43 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| That's fascinating. I never knew of that tie-in. But I wonder what Arnstein thought of the show. I couldn't find any quotes from him. The Wikipedia entry for ''Funny Girl'' (musical) has so much backstory about how it was created. At one point, it was proposed as a vehicle for Mary Martin, with a score by Styne and Sondheim, but Sondheim said: ''I don't want to do the life of Fanny Brice with Mary Martin. She's not Jewish. You need someone ethnic for the part.'' So many names came up throughout its journey to Broadway: Jerome Robbins, Anne Bancroft, Eydie Gorme (who wanted Steve Lawrence to play Nicky), Carol Burnett and Garson Kanin (whose novel ''Smash'' is based loosely on directing ''Funny Girl''). |
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| Link | Wikipedia: 'Funny Girl' (musical) |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: larry13 04:17 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - WaymanWong 02:11 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| I looked too but also couldn't find anything about his reactions to the show, although I thought I had read something somewhere(maybe in an obit?). There are so many stories about how the show came to be and the various people proposed, hired, fired, etc. Obviously, some versions conflict. Not everything can be true. One example that differs from this Wikipedia entry is that Styne, certainly by the time he first saw and heard Streisand, didn't want Bancroft who was still in the picture. He then deliberately wrote music he knew Bancroft couldn't sing(and I've always wondered how much could she sing)and she THEN dropped out. But the connection between Ray Stark and Fanny and Nicky IS absolutely crucial to what emerged. Read elsewhere about the real Fanny and Nicky and you'll find a huge amount of fascinating info that shows just how much the play and film changed the facts. Probably most importantly is that the real Arnstein was MUCH more unsavory than the character onstage/in the film. His daughter may have looked down/askance on Streisand--and fortunately she didn't get her way with casting--but she sure guaranteed a whitewash of her parental origins. |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 05:20 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 05:11 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - larry13 04:17 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Anne Bancroft did some guest spots on television variety shows and had at least one well-regarded special of her own where she sang. I think she also sang in the Mel Brook remake of "To Be Or Not To Be". She had, if I recall, a very nice and pleasant singing voice, but not a thrilling powerhouse one like Streisand. Here she is with Perry Como. |
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| Link | Anne Bancroft-Perry Como singing "Volare" |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: larry13 05:26 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - PlayWiz 05:11 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| I was going to say in my post earlier that I'm in awe of Bancroft's acting AND, in particular, her fabulous TV special. I don't recall how much she sang in that but I'm sure it was decent. I think we're in agreement, however, that the role of Fanny, as written, would not have suited her. I don't know if others who have succeeded well in the role--such as Mimi Hines, Carol Lawrence and Barbara Cook--would ever have been characterized as "a thrilling powerhouse" but they had the vocal(and acting)chops apparently for the part. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 05:48 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 05:41 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - larry13 05:26 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Hines had a very fine voice and was funny and seemed to have the whole package. The show ran for quite a while with her after Streisand left; my Mom told me that she thought Hines was great and hilarious when she saw her. I saw Carol Lawrence a couple of times in her club act, a very talented lady, although she tried a bit too hard to be funny at spots. I'm not sure how she might have been as Fanny. Regarding Barbara Cook, I'll make an analogy to some great tenors. I don't know if you know opera well, but I once made the distinction between two top tenors of the mid-to-end of the 20th Century -- Franco Corelli and Carlo Bergonzi. Corelli's voice was beautiful because it was so thrilling. (Ok, he was also movie star handsome!) Bergonzi's voice was so thrilling because it was so beautiful. I would bet Barbara Cook's "Glitter and Be Gay " was both thrilling and beautiful! Leonard Bernstein told her before a performance of "Candide" that Maria Callas was attending to not be alarmed; Callas wishes that she had Cook's high E notes! Her Fanny Brice I can mainly judge on her recording of "Who Are You Now" which is exquisitely beautiful -- thrillingly so. Plus she's funny in her "Ice Cream", "Where's My Shoe" in "She Loves Me", "I Wouldn't Marry You" and "The Label on the Bottle" from "The Gay Life", and had major Broadway credit in comedies. So I'm sure she was a whole different but complete package as Fanny Brice, and one I and others would probably pounce on with great anticipation if there were recordings of her doing it. |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 02:52 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 02:50 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - WaymanWong 02:11 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| It would have been great with Steve and Eydie! They both did comedy later on "Carol Burnett Show", and Eydie sure had the voice for the role. The director would have worked with Gorme on acting the dramatic scenes as much as they needed to with Streisand to get the performance needed. Lawrence was short, but I think the real Arnstein was as well, plus Lawrence around that time did "What Makes Sammy Run" on Broadway which proved he could really act as well. Plus they were both Jewish. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: larry13 03:38 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - PlayWiz 02:50 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Whether or not Lawrence being "short" and Jewish and having played Sammy Glick would have made him a decent Nicky Arnstein is one thing. Do you really think that the director--whether it was Kanin or Robbins or Stanislavski--working with Gorme, as WAS done with Streisand, would have resulted in an adequate Fanny Brice? Do you really think Gorme had it in her to be the actress the role calls for? | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 05:16 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 05:06 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - larry13 03:38 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Most of Fanny's non-comedic scenes are melodrama, not Greek tragedy, not Restoration comedy or Shakespeare. Gorme was a wonderful singer who could really capture the mood in her songs whether in Spanish with her famous recordings with the Trio Los Panchos, or English (her "If He Walked Into My LIfe" is superb) or in a novelty song like "Blame It On the Bossa Nova". She may have done some comedy sketches as well as songs on the Steve Allen "Tonight Show", so she certainly knew the pressures of performing live. I maintain if she had been chosen, the people involved would have drilled her like they did with Streisand to get a more than "adequate" performance out of her. Acting, if turns out, wasn't as important to her in the long run, as was keeping her singing career with Steve Lawrence. "Golden Rainbow" I think was her only Broadway appearance, and it was apparently something on the order of a Las Vegas show with a story. The opening number on the Tonys is so out there in its enjoyable tackiness. But Miss Marmelstein wasn't particularly a big stretch character-wise for Streisand, and Gorme was quite funny on "Carol Burnett". If Gorme had gotten the role, it's possible Streisand might been known more for her recordings and/or for playing a kooky tv character. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 08:29 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - PlayWiz 05:06 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| I agree that Eydie Gorme was one of the greatest pop singers of all time. Her renditions of such Broadway songs as "Too Close for Comfort", "If He Walked into My Life", "What Did I Have That I Don't Have", and countless others are thrilling to hear. I also believe she was genuinely loved and respected by countless entertainment giants like Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, and Carol Burnett, who showcased her talent on their TV shows. However, the assessment of Gorme's acting skills by various theatre writers and historians is pretty dismal. William Goldman devotes an entire chapter to Golden Rainbow in The Season. In it he details her inability to deliver basic dramatic and comic dialogue effectively. Instead she occasionally employed phony little tricks and gimmicks to get through certain scenes in order to satisfy an undemanding audience. I think Stark, Robbins, Styne, and Kanin made the right decision in casting Streisand and Chaplin as Fanny and Nick in Funny Girl. Of course, just IMO. |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 08:57 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 08:47 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - BroadwayTonyJ 08:29 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| The Wikipedia entry for "Golden Rainbow" says: "Author William Goldman wrote a gossipy and unflattering chapter about Golden Rainbow in his book The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway, which was written while the show was preparing for Broadway. The chapter, entitled "Washing Garbage," claimed that the material was weak to begin with and suffered from strenuous attempts to bring everything up to the level expected for a show starring the hugely popular Steve and Eydie." So Goldman apparently saw it during rehearsals. Arthur Storch, the director, had directed mostly comedies, though I think later he did a lot of work at regionals, chiefly Syracuse Stage. It's possible by that "in order to satisfy an undemanding audience" the director didn't demand much of Gorme either. Moss Hart might have whipped her acting ass into shape like he did Julie Andrews on "My Fair Lady"; so would Robbins, not known for pussyfooting around or suffering fools gladly. Listen, I love Gorme as a singer -- she's really superb, and I don't know if Streisand ever acknowledged her or other female singers who were among her contemporaries or rivals around the time she was emerging or thereabouts. It is possible that had Gorme done the show, Streisand might have had a different career, same as if Julie Andrews were fired from "My Fair Lady", Sally Ann Howes might have had Julie's career. Things aligned as they did. Both Streisand and Andrews were Broadway stars at age 21! |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 10:54 am EDT 08/16/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - PlayWiz 08:47 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| I think I love and admire Eydie Gorme just as much as you do. I always enjoyed her appearances on programs hosted by Steve Allen and Johnny Carson because she sang show tunes. As a pop or nightclub singer, absolutely no one ever performed numbers like "If He Walked into My Life" and "What Did I Have That I Don't Have" better on TV talk and variety shows than Gorme. I agree that she was superb, and her renditions were thrilling. Nevertheless, IMO there is nothing that can equal the insight and effectiveness (especially in the context of their stories) that Angela Lansbury and Barbara Harris brought to these same numbers on their respective cast recordings. To me it's like comparing apples to oranges. I think from the get-go Andrews and Streisand had serious acting ambitions in addition to wanting singing careers. When Gorme was considered for Funny Girl, she apparently told Stark, Styne, and Robbins that her acceptance of the role was contingent on her husband playing Nick. I cannot imagine Julie Andrews saying to Lerner, Loewe, and Moss Hart, "Okay, guys, I'll play Guinevere but only if Tony is the costume and scenic designer for Camelot." Or Streisand telling Stark, Styne, and Robbins, "Sure I'll play Fanny, but only if Elliott is Arnstein." That's the difference I see between Gorme and the two actresses you named. Just to be clear, I respect your opinions immensely and enjoy reading and (occasionally) responding to your posts. |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 11:26 am EDT 08/16/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 11:18 am EDT 08/16/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - BroadwayTonyJ 10:54 am EDT 08/16/21 | |
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| Feel free to keep on keeping on, Tony. I enjoy your posts, too. Now Steve and Eydie were both big names back then, and Lawrence actually probably resembled Nick more than Sydney Chaplin, so it's not too extraordinary for her to have wanted him to play opposite her. They had a very long-lasting marriage (until she died), and besides her own recordings, usually more than not appeared with Lawrence as a team. Streisand didn't (most likely) suggest Elliot, but she did, after she was cast, realize how essential her casting was, and she began to tell people if she felt necessary (big names) to fuck off, etc. and assert herself strongly. She and Gould and likewise Andrews and Tony Walton weren't known by their first names as a team like Steve and Eydie either. Steve ended up on Broadway at the same time as "Funny Girl" anyway, in 'What Makes Sammy Run", getting a Tony nomination! Of course, Gwen Verdon did get Bob Fosse his first directing gig on Broadway in "Redhead" by insisting on him. He had previously solely done the choreography. So those kind of things do happen, but she already had 3 Tony Awards by then, soon to add a 4th. Yes, I love Angela Lansbury and Barbara Harris as well! You can almost perfectly visualize Harris on the "Apple Tree" recording, so strong is her vocal acting performance throughout, in particular. |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: donnyboy 06:03 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - kieran 05:35 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Wasn't he announced for the Bart Sher directed/Lauren Ambrose starring version 10 years ago? | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: seeseveryshow 06:28 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - donnyboy 06:03 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Yes, I believe that he was announced for the revival with Ms. Ambrose ten years ago. He looks good for 51, probably sings well enough, and could still play the role. |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: stevemr 07:47 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - seeseveryshow 06:28 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Nicky is definitely a subservient part to Fanny. I'd be surprised if an actor of Mr. Cannavale's stature was willing to take what is at best a supporting role. And although it may not matter, to the general public isn't he a bigger name than Beanie Feldstein? | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: larry13 04:25 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - stevemr 07:47 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| I think he is but whether or not he is, if the PRODUCERS think he is a bigger name to the general public then that might explain why they want him for what IS a supporting role. And actors of much greater stature have taken even smaller roles if they find the role interesting enough and/or the salary attractive and/or the timing right. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 05:24 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - larry13 04:25 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| The role gets billing over the title, and in very big letters on the marquee when Sydney Chaplin did it! | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 08:29 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - stevemr 07:47 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| I like "Beanie and Bobby" actually. Beanie and Bobby as Fanny and Nicky. Catchy. :-) | |
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| Another song for Nicky? | |
| Posted by: kieran 08:00 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - stevemr 07:47 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| According to Wikipedia, at one point he was supposed to have a song called “A Temporary Arrangement.” | |
| Link | “Funny Girl” demo |
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| re: Another song for Nicky? | |
| Posted by: sf 08:40 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: Another song for Nicky? - kieran 08:00 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| 'A Temporary Arrangement' was in the production in London - and is on the London cast recording, and in the filmed version - so I assume it'll be used on Broadway as well. It's pleasant enough but it's hardly top-drawer Jule Styne, and it doesn't add a great deal to the show beyond giving the actor playing Nicky a bit more to do. |
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| re: Another song for Nicky? | |
| Posted by: kieran 09:21 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Another song for Nicky? - sf 08:40 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| And I see that both Fanny and Nicky sang “Who Are You Now” in the London production. | |
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| re: Another song for Nicky? | |
| Posted by: sf 11:00 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Another song for Nicky? - kieran 09:21 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Yes. The arrangement isn't horrible, but isn't great either, and there's no reason for him to be in the song other than to give the actor a bit more to do. | |
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| re: Another song for Nicky? | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 11:06 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Another song for Nicky? - sf 11:00 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Jule Styne reportedly wanted Frank Sinatra to play Nicky in the 1968 movie of ''Funny Girl,'' but Sinatra wanted the role expanded with more songs. | |
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| re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? | |
| Posted by: PaulGrin 05:58 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - kieran 05:35 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| I also saw a post on Facebook, and as you noted there was no conformation. Beanie Feldstein is 28 and Bobby Cannavale is 51 which is quite an age difference. | |
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| Jeremy Jordan! n/m. | |
| Posted by: 5MinuteCall 03:13 am EDT 08/16/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - PaulGrin 05:58 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| n/m. | |
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| Ok, Ben Platt, then. nmi | |
| Posted by: Ann 02:23 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - PaulGrin 05:58 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| I think Ben Platt would rather have Fanny's songs to sing. Much better showcase. | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 02:55 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 02:55 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: Ok, Ben Platt, then. nmi - Ann 02:23 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Nick usually just does "I Want to be Seen with You" and "You Are Woman", and even with the recent additional song from the British production, it's a pretty small singing role. | |
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| That got a genuine L-O-L outta me! (NMI) | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 01:46 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: Ok, Ben Platt, then. nmi - Ann 02:23 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| :) | |
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| re: Ok, Ben Platt, then. nmi | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 01:22 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: Ok, Ben Platt, then. nmi - Ann 02:23 am EDT 08/15/21 | |
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| Starring in Dear Nicky Arnstein? ;-) | |
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| Zachary Levi as Nicky Arnstein | |
| Posted by: seeseveryshow 06:38 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Arnstein? - PaulGrin 05:58 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| Why not? | |
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| re: Zachary Levi as Nicky Arnstein....or If... | |
| Posted by: mamaleh 11:09 pm EDT 08/15/21 | |
| In reply to: Zachary Levi as Nicky Arnstein - seeseveryshow 06:38 pm EDT 08/14/21 | |
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| That's a great idea. He has the right look, and Levi has proved his versatility in both movies and on stage. He's likable and at the same time his physical stature could convey the necessary whiff of the underworld. I could see him opposite Beanie. And if things had turned out differently--and how, how I fervently wish they had--Nick Cordero would have been perfect. |
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