Funny Girl, the musical currently running on Broadway, has officially recouped its capitalization costs of $16.5 million, according to producers on Monday. The show, which originally opened at the August Wilson Theatre in April 2022, is set to close on September 3. However, fans of the musical need not be disappointed, as a North American tour starring Katerina McCrimmon is planned to follow.
The production of Funny Girl faced some challenges early on when it started with Beanie Feldstein in the leading role. Unfortunately, Feldstein received mixed reviews, and this began to impact the show’s box office grosses and attendance. In response, the decision was made to replace Feldstein with Lea Michele, who had previously performed several of the show’s songs on the hit TV show Glee. Michele’s casting proved to be a draw for audience members, with her familiarity and talent bringing in more ticket sales. She joined the production on September 6, 2022, and the box office figures immediately began trending upward.
Since Michele joined the cast, Funny Girl has broken several box office records at the August Wilson Theatre. The most recent record was set in the week ending January 8, 2023, when the show recorded an impressive $8.07 million for an eight-show week. As the production nears its closing date, the musical has continued to maintain fairly strong grosses, totaling $1.7 million in the week ending July 30.
The revival of Funny Girl is produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis, and David Babani. It features an original book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The revival also includes a revised book by Harvey Fierstein, direction by Michael Mayer, choreography by Ellenore Scott, and tap choreography by Ayodele Casel.
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In addition to Lea Michele’s impressive portrayal of Fanny Brice, the musical also stars Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein, Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan, and Tovah Feldshuh as Mrs. Rosie Brice. Notably, Julie Benko serves as the Fanny Brice alternate and performs the role every Thursday.
The success of Funny Girl’s Broadway run can be attributed to the combination of a beloved musical, talented cast, and strategic casting decisions. Lea Michele’s star power and previous experience with the show’s songs helped attract audiences, leading to strong box office numbers. The revised production and creative team also played a crucial role in refreshing and revitalizing this iconic musical.
As Funny Girl prepares to close on Broadway, fans can anticipate the upcoming North American tour featuring Katerina McCrimmon in the lead role. With its proven success and continued popularity, this production of Funny Girl is sure to bring joy to audiences across the country.
In conclusion, Funny Girl has not only recouped its capitalization costs on Broadway but also set numerous box office records during its run. The involvement of Lea Michele, the talented cast, and the revitalized production have all contributed to the musical’s success. Audiences can look forward to the North American tour as Funny Girl continues to captivate theatergoers beyond its Broadway closing date.
