Nolan Gerard Funk "stops" Birdie- Page 2
Nolan Gerard Funk "stops" Birdie
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#25re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 5:30pm
Let me once agin defend Funk:
His singing is on-target, he completely believes the moves he's making, and he dances quite well.
A REAL director would have gotten him to make an effective entrance to have his breakfast beer, would have gotten him to create a character and look convincing when he's with Kim. Believe me, these things could have been accomplished if Flatbottom knew what he was doing. I've directed dozens of high school plays and musicals and was able to accomplish these things with less talented casts.
I stand by my statement that Stamos, Gershon, Funk--and let me add Irwin--were the victims of a director who didn't work with them properly.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#26re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 5:34pmOh, I totally agree: the biggest issue with this show was DEFINTELY directorial. I think they all had the potential to being quite good in this and they were failed.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#27re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 5:35pmIf the scene was the underwear scene, at least everyone got a longer view of him. God knows, he doesn't have anything else going for him.
BroadwayEd
Wayman_Wong
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#28re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 7:25pmI think Dantes is right; it's more than likely that someone in the wings told Funk to say whatever he said. It wasn't any diva attitude. And I'll defend Funk, too. I've seen 'Birdie' twice (the second time to catch a friend who was going on); both times, Funk was the spark of electricity the show needed, and his numbers, 'Honestly Sincere' and 'Got a Lotta Livin'' were the best-received, fun and energetic. I've been told he and Stamos have been great and easygoing backstage, and very friendly to fans at the stage door. Finally, if you read the reviews, Funk (who's making his Broadway debut) got the best notices among the principals. Even the critics that panned the show said Funk looked like he was having fun.
#29re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 7:36pmI have not seen the show and am having trouble following the original message. Was Funk off-stage, then entered the stage and "stopped" the show? If so, he almost certainly did that because someone told him to. I can't imagine that an actor would walk on stage just because.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
#30re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 7:42pm
If the scene was the underwear scene, at least everyone got a longer view of him. God knows, he doesn't have anything else going for him.
Just let me regain my composure...
There is an underwear scene?
Swoon...
I hear that Nolan is packing!
#31re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 7:50pm
Of course "Honestly Sincere" and "Got A Lotta Livin'" were the best received. They're the two most energetic numbers in the show alongside "Telephone Hour." I don't necessarily think Funk was the sole reason behind those numbers being well received.
And what the reviews mainly said was that Funk was the one who sucked the least. I'd hardly call that praise.
I saw the show three times and not once was I overly impressed with Funk. The first time I saw the show was its final dress rehearsal and Funk was awful. It was obvious he was new to the stage. I will say he got better when I saw the show again on opening night, but I still wasn't impressed. He is not a strong vocalist and while he gets the choreography, I didn't think he had natural rhythm. And his acting...well...please refer to my community theatre acting comment.
Bill Irwin is too over the top. John Stamos is just dull. And Gina Gershon is alright. Like I said, I think she had the most potential to be good.
And of course this is just my opinion.
"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"
Updated On: 12/28/09 at 07:50 PM
#32re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 8:04pmWax philosophical all you want, but you don't know how you're going to react in a situation like this until it happens. Being a stage novice (and considering that the set for this show HAS malfunctioned before, causing a performance to halt), Nolan probably thought that the performance would be momentarily stopped in order to fix the set problem. Seriously, people...grow up and stop mythologizing the nature of theatre.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#33re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 8:12pm
All this is based on secondhand hearsay.
I have no opinion on the show or Funk, but I just don't believe anyone who can't type their "a"s.
....but the world goes 'round
#34re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 8:13pm
I'm with Dollypop on this one.
And to add to Wayman, I feel that Honestly Sincere is the first moment in the show that any hint of life and excitement appears.
"I don't necessarily think Funk was the sole reason behind those numbers being well received." I would argue that he is. "Telephone Hour" should be energetic, but falls almost completely flat and is met with a tepid reaction. Aside from the banal choreography, the kids in the ensemble don't have the spark to make the number soar. I think Funk has that spark.
Updated On: 12/28/09 at 08:13 PM
#36re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 8:42pm
TheatreFan4, they're tightie whities too.
I've seen shows stop because of malfunctions before but I've never seen a performer do it. Usually the actors try to keep going and a voice comes over the loudspeaker and says "Due to technical difficulties we must stop" or something like that. The performance stops, the problem is fixed, and they start from the top of the scene. But if Nolan came from off stage then he may have been told to do it. We can't assume anything.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#37re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 8:50pmI think the ensemble kids are the best part of the show. They definitely have the spark. I think it's the ensemble kids joined by the ensemble adults that make "Honestly Sincere" as powerful as it is. I don't think it's all Funk at all.
"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"
#38re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 8:55pmI will agree with you about the ensemble adults. They have a rather thankless job, but have tremendous fun with their little stage time; specifically Suzanne Grodner as Mrs. Merkle.
#39re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 8:58pm
TheatreFan4, they're tightie whities too. 
#40re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 9:16pmTheatreFan4, and while he struts in his tightie whities he drinks a beer and lets it run down his chest. I will say...the boy is beautiful.
"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"
winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#41re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 9:17pm
Eris0303, I do agree with you that normally if there is a delay in the show or it has to stop for tech reasons, they announce it rather then have a cast member do so. So I doubt that Funk was told to stop the show.
I remember being at a performance of Billy Elliot where Billy's Father goes to talk to Mrs. Wilkinson at her home on Christmas. As soon as that scene was done there was an announcement that said that they had to stop the show for a few min due to the fact they had to clear off some of the residue from the dry ice that was used in the ballet scene just before. Jabara didn't announce anything. The only thing he did was entertain the audience for a little bit until a stage hand came on and told him to leave. But, it wasn't as if he announced that they were stopping the show.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
justafan2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/25/04
#42re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 9:17pmI also loved the ensemble kids---there was one in particular who stood out to me----I don't remember her name--she had dark hair and pigtails. Very good dancer and played her character so energetically (in a good way).
elphie4
Swing Joined: 5/30/05
#44re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 9:22pmid like to also defend nolan. seeing that this is his first broadway show, he may not have expected what happened that night. i saw the show while it was in previews and i loved the show, especially nolan's portrayal of Birdie. he is also one of the nicest stage door actors i ever met. he signed for everyone and posed for pictures. the issue from that night can also be a lesson for him in future performances. this is just my opinion. no hard feelings intended.
amoni2
Featured Actor Joined: 3/4/06
#45re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 9:28pm
"I saw the show three times and not once was I overly impressed with Funk. The first time I saw the show was its final dress rehearsal and Funk was awful...Bill Irwin is too over the top. John Stamos is just dull. And Gina Gershon is alright."
Gee, three times and you still didn't like it? Maybe you'll get lucky the fourth time. God, you guys make me chuckle.
Soliantu
Leading Actor Joined: 11/10/06
#46re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 9:45pm
"I was under the impression that you don't need a good actor for the role of Birdie. That the whole idea behind the character is that he is good looking and can sing and that is about it. That he has all his choices made for him and just does that which he is told to do and doesn't care one way or the other. "
Well.. the person should be an ACTOR, someone who can portray a performer who can just sing, and not need to do much else.. and just act like a waste of life.... it shouldnt be someone who LITERALLY isnt talented...
#47re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 10:01pm
Gee, three times and you still didn't like it? Maybe you'll get lucky the fourth time. God, you guys make me chuckle.
Considering the fact that two of the three times were the final dress rehearsal and opening night (according to the very post you were responding to), I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that the poster works for Roundabout or is somehow involved with the show and saw it for free all of those times. They may even have been required to see it.
Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent
"He's a tramp, but I love him."
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent
#48re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 10:07pm
TheatreFan4, and while he struts in his tightie whities he drinks a beer and lets it run down his chest. I will say...the boy is beautiful.
And when he rubs the beer all over his stomach and chest..
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
MusicSnob1
Broadway Star Joined: 10/19/09
#49re: Nolan Gerard Funk 'stops' Birdie
Posted: 12/28/09 at 10:25pm
"grow up and stop mythologizing the nature of theatre"
Are you f*cking kidding me?
When I think about you, I touch myself.
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