Idina Menzel a 'Go' for Funny Girl?

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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

Lea Michele fuming rn

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.

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?

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.