FUNNY GIRL to Launch National Tour

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 10:53am

BroadwayWorld has learned that Funny Girl will be launching a national tour, with dates already confirmed for 2024 as part of Atlanta's 2023/2024 Broadway touring season, which also features the pre-Broadway national tour of The Wiz.

Funny Girl's national tour will perform at Atlanta's Fox Theatre July 30 through August 4, 2024. While no casting has been announced for the tour, the production is using promotional materials featuring Broadway alternate Julie Benko.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-FUNNY-GIRL-to-Launch-National-Tour-20230110

Updated On: 1/10/23 at 10:53 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 11:20am

Think this might be their subtle way of hinting it will close when Michele’s contact expires so they can use the set/costumes on the road 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 12:02pm

http://funnygirlonbroadway.com/tour/

[Phillyguy]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 12:13pm

That’s so exciting. I’m assuming Julie will be the lead here and I can’t wait to see her on tour. 
 

 

[amiyagi]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 12:18pm

Safe to assume this is closing May 28 on Broadway with Lea then? The tour starts in September.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 12:18pm

Phillyguy said: "That’s so exciting. I’m assuming Julie will be the lead here and I can’t wait to see her on tour."

I would hope so, but if Barry Manilow's HARMONY decides to transfer in the fall, then I would think Benko or Jessie Davidson (who played the role before Benko joined the show) could be moving forward with that.

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 12:39pm

I hope whoever they cast is able to really carry the show... This production itself is inert, lifeless, and drab beyond belief. Lea Michele singlehandedly turned this production into a must-see event with her incredible performance. She managed to completely eclipse the ugly and dark set, tawdry costumes, tacky lighting design, and amateur direction.

[Phillyguy]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 12:42pm

bwayphreak234 said: "I hope whoever they cast is able to really carry the show... This production itself is inert, lifeless, and drab beyond belief. Lea Michele singlehandedly turned this production into a must-see event with her incredible performance. She managed to completely eclipse the ugly and dark set, tawdry costumes, tacky lighting design, and amateur direction."

I don’t think anyone could be as good as Lea in this role but audience tends to be more forgiving on tour. Julie would be wonderful in this. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 12:50pm

bwayphreak234 said: "I hope whoever they cast is able to really carry the show... This production itself is inert, lifeless, and drab beyond belief. Lea Michele singlehandedly turned this production into a must-see event with her incredible performance. She managed to completely eclipse the ugly and dark set, tawdry costumes, tacky lighting design, and amateur direction."

Couldn't agree more. They should at least get Lea to do the stops in California.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 1:04pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "bwayphreak234 said: "I hope whoever they cast is able to really carry the show... This production itself is inert, lifeless, and drab beyond belief. Lea Michele singlehandedly turned this production into a must-see event with her incredible performance. She managed to completely eclipse the ugly and dark set, tawdry costumes, tacky lighting design, and amateur direction."

Couldn't agree more. They should at least get Lea to do the stops in California."

If anything, I’m sure she’d do a multi-week run at the Pantages. But probably nothing more than that. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 1:17pm

Not a shocker, glad more people are getting to see this.

The Broadway production will probably close a financial hit in late May at the end of Michele’s contract. Benko will likely be Fanny for most of the tour, but maybe Michele might pop in for a stop or two.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 5:27pm

I highly doubt Lea or Julie will lead the tour. I hope they try to get an unknown or something, but I really don't think either of them will lead it. Especially with Julie potentially being involved with Harmony, I'd be surprised if she does end up leading the tour. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 11:59am

The odds of them hiring an “above the title” name for this is low. I’m curious if this goes out on a production contact. If they use a SETA contract they’ll probably just rehire Ephie Aardema for the tour.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 12:27pm

I am very curious as to why no one is giving a newcomer a chance. I know, I know-Lea helped save the Broadway revival. But the name of the show will also bring in subscribers and people to see the show. Whether or not she is in it, it's the chance for someone else to be "the greatest star". Not every tour needs to have someone from the Broadway production lead it, no matter how good they are. Many, many examples to pick from. And those tours have been successful without them. I just really doubt Lea or Julie would want to go from almost a year run on Broadway (over a year?) to then immediately going out on tour. I KNOW Into The Woods is doing it-that doesn't mean Lea or Julie will want to. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 1:19pm

Yes, as you’ve already posted in this thread about it. No one was “not giving a newcomer a chance” or thinking that “every tour needs to have someone from Broadway to lead it”. These things are common sense.

If it’s not Julie (or Leah - let’s not forget she was touring the country with her own concerts up until Funny Girl, so it’s possible) then it will need a name SOMEWHERE for paying audiences, or stuff it in a Subscription package. The show itself is not good or popular enough to make real money on the road - and they are making tons of money off of her alone, it would be foolish to not at least attempt it. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 1:31pm

Lea was doing sporadic single concert dates which is not the same as doing a multi-city national tour with an 8 performances a week schedule and staying in each city for 1-2 weeks AND with a toddler.  A Broadway schedule is completely different as she’s able to live a regular home life. If she were to join any portion of the tour, it would be the Los Angeles stop as many other Broadway actors have done.  

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 2:16pm

Lol. Why do people keep bringing up Harmony? Wasn't it just a workshop lol. 

[smidge2]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 2:21pm

broadwayboy223 said: "Lol. Why do people keep bringing up Harmony? Wasn't it just a workshop lol."

No, lol

[BETTY22]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 2:35pm

There is no way Julie would turn down originating a role in a new musical on Broadway to do a tour.

Especially a new musical that is already a New York Times critic pix. 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 3:23pm

I don't know if ever see Harmony making it to a Broadway stage. We'll see though. 

Either way, I don't think it's Julie Benko who leads this tour. 

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 3:30pm

The producers of Funny Girl have 3 sets of photos - with Beanie, Julie and Lea. They're not using promo materials with Beanie (obviously) and can't use Lea as it could make patrons think she's leading the tour. The photos of Julie are just that.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 5:23pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Yes, as you’ve already posted in this thread about it. No one was “not giving a newcomer a chance” or thinking that “every tour needs to have someone from Broadway to lead it”. These things are common sense.

If it’s not Julie (or Leah - let’s not forget she was touring the country with her own concerts up until Funny Girl, so it’s possible) then it will need a name SOMEWHERE for paying audiences, or stuff it in a Subscription package. The show itself is not good or popular enough to make real money on the road - and they are making tons of money off of her alone, it would be foolish to not at least attempt it."

Every other comment about the tour is "JULIEEEEE" or "LEAAAAA" or something along those lines. So no, not everyone has common sense. And even if it's not on here, you will see that in other locations where the tour is being discussed. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 5:32pm

BETTY22 said: "There is no way Julie would turn down originating a role in a new musical on Broadway to do a tour.

Especially a new musical that is already a New York Times critic pix."

 

Don't be ridiculous -- she's not turning down the chance to star in FUNNY GIRL all across the country in order to play "2nd girl from the left" in a 2nd rate show that's been "in the works" for 30+ years and doesn't have a theatre, a schedule or much chance of running more than 4-6 months (even if the off Broadway run was a "NY Times Critics Pix"!

That being said, I'd be amazed if they even offer her the Tour.

 

 

 

[MNNiceorIce]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 12:16am

They should get Debbie (call me Deborah) Gibson to play Mrs. Brice and give her a full-circle Funny Girl tour moment.

[David10086]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 12:16pm

I'm really surprised that this national tour is kicking off in Atlanta (A) the first week of August and (B) for only one week. 

Wonder why they don't save this for the Fall, and book it in a big city like Atlanta for at least three weeks ? It's a long-awaited revival, and now has a solid reputation behind it.  Could it be they chose to do August and only one week because they can't get a headliner who is noteworthy ?