Mara Sandroff, Author at FF2 Media

Mara Sandroff is a fiction writer, critic, and essayist based in Brooklyn, New York and Tucson, Arizona. She recently earned an MFA in fiction from NYU, and her work has appeared in the Emerging Writers Series of Roxane Gay's The Audacity. As a critic, Mara loves writing about books, theatre, and and Jewish women in pop culture and the media. She also writes book reviews and literary criticism for Newcity Lit.

Currently Browsing: Mara Sandroff

BW’s 2022 ‘Funny Girl’ Revival & the “Star is Born” Glow of Julie Benko

by Mara Sandroff

11 months ago

On May 4th (~ 2 months ago), FF2 posted my review of standby Julie Benko’s opening night performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.

Although I have seen many Broadway performances, Julie’s performance was a rare chance to actually see a star being born, and watching her debut is a memory I will always treasure. Since then, Julie has earned many more fans.… read more.

Julie Benko Triumphs as Standby Fanny Brice in ‘Funny Girl’

by Mara Sandroff

1 year ago

Since the official opening of the long-awaited Broadway revival of Funny Girl on April 24^th – the first Broadway revival of Funny Girl ever after over fifty years – the theatre community has spent significant energy debating Beanie Feldstein’s performance as Fanny Brice (the starring role).

Guest Post by Mara Sandroff

Beanie has the mixed blessing of following BARBRA STREISAND – one of the world’s most legendary performers – who shot into the entertainment stratosphere like a rocket when she was nominated for a Tony as Fanny in 1964 (Bab’s first starring role on Broadway), and then won an Oscar in the film adaptation of Funny Girl in 1969 (Bab’s very first Big Screen performance).… read more.