Producers have released the first look at Lea Michele rehearsing as Fanny Brice for the Broadway production ofFunny Girl. Michele got the part when Beanie Feldstein abruptly announced she would be leaving the musical at the end of July amid rumors that theGleealum had already been recruited to replace her. The role was made famous by Barbra Streisand on Broadway and in films.
Jane Lynch, who was a former player “Mrs. Brice,”Also, she announced that she would be leaving Glee early. She wished her former Glee co-star and “Fanny”All the best to Julie Benko”I offer a special thanks to my current scene partner Julie Benko and will be back to see my friend Lea Michele light up the lights,” Lynch wrote.
It’s the role of your dreams. Lea Michele is joining FUNNY GIRL to play Fanny Brice starting September 6. Come see us at the August Wilson! pic.twitter.com/nQatXGOzee
— Funny Girl on Broadway (@FunnyGirlBwy) August 19, 2022
After Beanie Feldstein’s casting as Fanny Brice in the late April show, the saga began. Mixed to negative reviews were received for the show. Michele expressed her desire to portray Fanny in Glee, both during and beyond the show. After Feldstein announced her resignation, there was no official announcement about Feldstein’s replacement.Gawkerpublished a piece on June 30 announcing that Michele would succeed her. Later, the producers confirmed this.
This story is complicated by Michele’s nonprofessional conduct on set by some of her associatesGleeco-stars, most notably Samantha Ware, who stated Michele’s “traumatic microaggressions”This led to her questioning her entire career. According to reports, she said that Michele would be cast in after hearing her words.Funny Girl, “Yes, Broadway upholds whiteness. Yes, Hollywood does the same.”
The Daily Beastpublished a story and commentary in July from a single anonymous “senior show source”The story behind the musical’s production. According to gossip, Feldstein was paired with Michele as a theatre agent. People were too concerned about Feldstein’s feelings and treated her with child gloves, to everyone’s dismay. Reports seemed to focus on who was responsible for Feldstein’s delay in replacing him, suggesting that her casting was the whole fault.
The New York Timesreviewer Jesse Green described Feldstein as “good,”Instead of “stupendous,”As the job demands. “You can’t blame Feldstein for the show’s problems; that would be like blaming the clown for the elephants,”He added. Green also criticized the show’s script, staging, and sets.
According toTime Out New YorkAdam Feldman, Feldstein could not carry the role, but the rest of the performances were poor, the direction weak, and the book was not engaging. Feldstein, as a performer, had to be Barbra Strreisand in order to take on the role of Fanny. She wasn’t.
But this doesn’t mean Michele can’t reach those heights. Michele has the singing voice Feldstein does not have and can sing.Funny GirlThe role requires live singing, but also comedy skills and a playful charm. Michele may not have these qualities.
Funny GirlThe Tony Awards were not given to ‘The Luminaries,’ but a number of its employees received a recognition.Significant drop in ticket salesjust before the Michele announcement. Michele will succeed Lynch on September 6. Tovah Feldshuh will replace Lynch.