When Broadway’s “Funny Girl” revival was first announced, starring beloved actress Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice, many questioned how Lea Michele was feeling about it. After all, she did sing practically every song from the book on Glee — it was her character Rachel Berry’s dream to star in it on Broadway — and has spoken in interviews about how Barbra Streisand was an inspiration to her. (Remember her Tony Awards performance?)
Well now, she seems to finally be getting her wish! The show announced today (July 11) that Lea Michele would be replacing Feldstein in “Funny Girl” — who fell victim to some harsh reviews after she opened, particularly about the strength of her singing voice — starting this September.
Emmy Award-nominee LEA MICHELE and Tony Award-nominee TOVAH FELDSHUH join #FUNNYGIRL beginning September 6!
Don’t miss Beanie Feldstein until July 31 only, followed by @JujujulieBee through September 4.
See you at the August Wilson, gorgeous!⭐️ pic.twitter.com/bvqArWoMJa
— Funny Girl on Broadway (@FunnyGirlBwy) July 11, 2022
And, though Feldstein was originally set to finish through her six-month contract into the fall, she shared on Instagram last night that she decided to end her run early due to the “new direction” of the show and would only be performing through the end of July.
Between Feldstein ending and Michele beginning, so August 1 – September 5, the original understudy for the role Julie Benko will take over.
This also means there won’t be any “Glee” reunion between Michele and Jane Lynch, who is playing Mrs. Brice through September 4. When Michele begins on September 6, the role will be taken over by another iconic Jewish actress and Broadway star, Tovah Feldshuh.
It definitely has provided quite the drama for the theater community for the summer! Ready for all the hot takes…