Beanie Feldstein is stepping down from playing Fanny Brice on Broadway, but does this mean Lea Michele will finally get a chance at the role?
Despite only having played Fanny Brice on Broadway for 10 months, Feldstein will be stepping down from the show. This change will also see Mrs Brice, currently played by Jane Lynch, being recast.
The logical replacement for Fanny Brice is Feldstein’s current understudy, Julie Benko, however, it has been reported that Funny Girl producers are looking to Glee’s Lea Michele.
What is Funny Girl?
Funny Girl is a semi-biographical show that follows the life and career of actress, comedian and Broadway legend Fanny Brice. It also describes the tumultuous relationship she had with Nick Arnstein.
Legendary actress Barbra Streisand made the role famous in the 1964 Broadway cast of the show. Streisand also won an Academy Award for Best Actress after reprising the role of Fanny Brice in the 1968 film version.
Is it Michele’s time?
Michele is no stranger to Broadway. She originated the role of Wendla Bergmann in Spring Awakening from 2006 to 2008. This production was the first time Michele met Michael Mayer, who is currently the director of Funny Girl.
Michele is also known for her role as a tightly-wound teen, Rachel Berry on Glee. During her six-season career on that show, Rachel Berry made it clear her ultimate dream was to play Fanny Brice on Broadway. Ultimately, she made her dream a reality, but now fiction is coming true, and Michele holds that same dream.
Michele is an esteemed singer, proving she still has what it takes after reprising her Spring Awakening character on stage at the 2022 Tony Awards.
Feldstein’s departure
Feldstein will complete her run at the August Wilson Theatre on September 25, 2022.
On an Instagram post, she wrote, ‘I’ll never be able to find the words that could begin to explain what the experience has been to me… I am immensely proud to be a bagel on a plate full of onion rolls. I am so deeply grateful for every other bagel that comes to Henry Street with us every night. Can’t wait to see you all there through September.’
Lea Michele the next Fanny Brice?
Currently, neither Feldstein nor Lynch have been officially recast yet, but the Daily Mail reported Michele was in the running for the role.
The publication reported an insider told Showbiz 411 that producers for the show have their eyes set on the former Glee actor, but none of this has been confirmed and Michele hasn’t commented on the rumour.