Idina Menzel a 'Go' for Funny Girl?

[macbeth]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 6:54pm

I'm not that familiar with the Broadway Journal, but friends in the business say that he's had a pretty high accuracy late for scoops over the last year...

http://broadwayjournal.com/idina-menzel-looks-like-a-go-for-funny-girl-exclusive/

Idina Menzel is in talks to play Fanny Brice this fall in the first Broadway revival of Funny Girl, the hit 1964 Jule Styne-Bob Merrill-Isobel Lennart musical that starred Barbra Streisand.

The show would be directed by Michael Mayer and overseen by the U.K. producers Sonia Friedman and David Babani, according to two people familiar with the project. In 2015, Mayer staged a Funny Girl revival at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory (where Babani serves as artistic director) starring Sheridan Smith. The production had a revised book by Harvey Fierstein and transferred to the West End.

 

 

[Stephen75]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:03pm

Bring back Lauren Ambrose.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:07pm

Weird.

Boroff has a decent track record for scoops, but nothing this big recently; usually his supposed "scoops" are more about ticket prices and behind-the-scene business things. However, his headline ("looks like a go" is quite different from his lede ("is in talks"...so let's see what happens.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:10pm

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:12pm

I love Idina, but isn't she way too old for the part? She's about twice Barbra's age when she played the role, no?

[KitKatBoy24]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:22pm

As big of a fan as I am... isn’t she a little old for the role? Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t Fanny start at late teens or early twenties? I’m also a little wary about her comedy skills with this role.

[Show2n]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:23pm

Wow, If this is true, oh PLEASE let Shoshana Bean be the alternate Fanny. 
 

https://youtu.be/H1SJHjVFhTk
 

Updated On: 1/14/20 at 07:23 PM

[Owen22]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:29pm

The only star who comes close to being an ideal Fanny is Lea Michelle. She needs to come home. Hallmark movies are unworthy of her extreme talent.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:37pm

Owen22 said: "The only star who comes close to being an ideal Fanny is Lea Michelle. She needs to come home. Hallmark movies are unworthy of her extreme talent."

I don’t know why but short of Babs returning to the role (yes I know) Lea Michele is really the only one that I’ve ever been interested seeing in the role. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:47pm

Streisand was 22 when she played the role on Broadway.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 7:51pm

This is such a bore

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 8:06pm

Show2n said: "Wow, Ifthis is true, oh PLEASE let Shoshana Bean be the alternate Fanny.


https://youtu.be/H1SJHjVFhTk
"

That would be career suicide.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 8:21pm

KitKatBoy24 said: "There’s no way Lea Michele will be used. From what I hear, her reputation has caught up with her."

 

O no not her!? It needs a STAR Lea is not one...Idina is too old she'll be 49 in May!

Updated On: 1/14/20 at 08:21 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 8:56pm

Owen22 said: "The only star who comes close to being an ideal Fanny is Lea Michelle. She needs to come home. Hallmark movies are unworthy of her extreme talent."

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Star. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 9:10pm

I hope it’s a different production oof

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 9:37pm

Is this crazy? Yes. Will I buy a premium ticket? Absolutely.

If there is a FUNNY GIRL revival it would be a crime to not have Jessie Mueller or Micaela Diamond play Fanny.

[sng]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 9:39pm

Lea Michele fuming rn

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 9:40pm

Not a Star—-but maybe Lindsay Mendez?

[magictodo123]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 9:52pm

JSquared2 said: "Not a Star—-but maybe Lindsay Mendez? "

Interesting....I’m trying to picture everyone who has been mentioned singing a song from the show. I have to see if they have when I get home. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 10:46pm

Her profile continues to rise with great exposure from Frozen, continued success of Wicked, and her recent role in Uncut Gems. I wouldn't be surprised if that got a producer interested in casting her.

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 10:48pm

I thought reports were Ryan Murphy had the rights. They could have expired or been sold, but odd that the report does not address Murphy

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 11:06pm

I mean I’m into the idea of a Mendel Funny Girl. Never really seen her do much “schtick.”

But the Greif production was cheap and boring.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 11:13pm

SouthernCakes said: "I mean I’m into the idea of a Mendel Funny Girl. Never really seen her do much “schtick.”

But the Greif production was cheap and boring. "

 

Mendel from FALSETTOS?  That could be interesting.  Also  what Greif production?  When has Michael Greif ever directed FUNNY GIRL? 

 

[inception]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 11:13pm

If Idina Menzel does a new show, I'd rather see her in an actual new show, written for her.

Did anyone complain about Sutton Foster being too old for Music Man?

...well yes they probably did on here

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 11:40pm

I agree in thinking she's too old and that they're are much better choices (mine would be Mueller or Bonnie Milligan), but it seems that this won't be produced without someone that has star power, which after Frozen, Idina has.