Lea Michele, known for her roles in Broadway and the TV series Glee, recently ended her run as the star in Broadway’s Funny Girl. Michele took over the role from Beanie Feldstein, who had debuted as Fanny Brice earlier in the year. The revival of Funny Girl had premiered in April 2022, receiving mixed reviews. Many argued that Feldstein failed to fill the big shoes left by Barbra Streisand, who originated the role on Broadway in 1964 and won an Oscar for her performance in the 1968 film adaptation. Feldstein announced her departure from the show in July 2022, and Tovah Feldshuh took over Jane Lynch’s role as Fanny’s mom.
When Michele joined the cast, producers reportedly managed to recoup their capitalization costs, with the show running for almost 600 performances at the August Wilson Theatre in New York. On the final performance, Michele received seven standing ovations from the audience. She also surprised them with a bonus performance of the song “My Man,” which Streisand had sung in the film adaptation. Notably, Michele had also performed the song during her time on the TV series Glee.
Expressing her gratitude to the cast and audience, Michele said, “That was my dream come true. I was truly given the greatest gift that surpassed this dream and that was the unconditional true love and support from this cast, who has worked so, so, so hard. I was embraced with open arms the minute I came in.” She further shared a heartfelt statement on Instagram, thanking everyone for the love and support. Michele stated that her time in Funny Girl was the “role of a lifetime” and expressed excitement for what’s to come.
While she didn’t reveal specific details, Michele mentioned that she already has her next show lined up. She hinted that it would be something familiar to audiences but different musically. In an interview with Variety, she teased about her future projects, leaving fans eager to know what she has in store.
As Lea Michele’s run in Funny Girl came to an end, another production of the musical is set to start. The Funny Girl tour, starring Katerina McCrimmon, will kick off in Providence, R.I., on Saturday. Fans of the show can look forward to experiencing the beloved story brought to life in a different venue and with a new lead.
Lea Michele’s departure from Funny Girl marks the end of a remarkable year for her and her fans. Her portrayal as Fanny Brice was well-received, and she received immense support and love from the audience. Michele’s journey in the role was deeply cherished, and she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity on multiple occasions. With her next project on the horizon, fans eagerly await the announcement, anticipating yet another captivating performance from this talented actress.
