Lea Michele … Fanny Replacement.

Well that also brings up the question-who would replace Ramin? I think he's going to London to do...something. Maybe they'll bump up understudies for Nick? In regards to Lea...no idea. Her contract is through March, right? Maybe if they're still doing well they'd consider a replacement...I honestly have no clue who could replace her and keep the show going. What if Parade transfers and Michaela goes with it?

She's nowhere near as famous as Michele and I doubt she would be able to pull the same numbers but Annelise Van Der Pol? She has a stunning, and powerful voice, with Broadway experience and relative star power.

I agree that I don’t think they end up casting anyone after Lea. She has become the show. Almost as much as Hugh is to The Music Man. Who knows how much money the production lost during the Beanie fiasco… they’re probably hoping they can recover that amount and at least break even while Lea is still there.

I wonder if they might send it out on tour and who they would get for that.

Updated On: 11/7/22 at 01:36 PM

It's too bad Christina Bianco doesn't have a "biigger name" because she apparently was wonderful when she did the role in Paris a couple years ago.

There is not a doubt in my mind that they will close it. It is a crummy production of a flawed musical, but it has a set of songs for the leading lady and a dramatic arc that provides the right actor a chance to really show her chops. Lea came in with a built-in fan base AND she is spectacular in the role. I cannot think of anyone with the chops, the right age, who is Jewish or capable of playing a Jewish character convincingly, and the name recognition, of which are required to have a chance.

IMO the producers should thank God if LM extends long enough for them to return the investors' funds, and stay in their good graces.

But imagine how much it'd lose per week, if it tried to run with a mere mortal who's not well known. Better to close in March than risk losing some of the money that was made when Lea joined.

I can't help thinking that, as long as she is selling out or at least still doing really impressive business, Lea would probably extend unless she has a seriously better offer with a tight time window. After all those years of saying that all she ever wanted to do was to play Fanny Brice on Broadway, I would think she'd want to play it longer, (a) to get it out of her system), (b) to continue to add new fans for future Broadway and film appearances, and to have ANY chance, however remote, of getting a special Tony.

Re the latter, I only mention that because others have posed that question on this site. I personally think that is a super-up-hill battle. They really haven't given one of those in years and years (at least, that I can think of...I remember Pearl Bailey and Mary Tyler Moore getting special Tony's for roles they did not originate, but at least both of them were in shows in which the original leads previously received Tonys for their performances). The fact that Streisand never got a Tony for playing Fanny could present an issue. Even there, however, I guess one could argue that she did get a Tony for Funny Girl since there was no other reason to give her a special Tony, since the last time she was on a Broadway stage was when she left Funny Girl, and no one was going to give her one for I Can Get It for You Wholesale.

ACL2006 said: "There's no way this continues into the Winter without a big name."

Well it’s playing through the winter with Michele, so…I guess that’s not a problem?

EDSOSLO858 said: "Nobody. The show will probably close on a high at the end of Michele's contract."

Heard from an industry friend that she may extend after her 6 month contract ends in March for another 3 months

I could see this wrapping up in late June. Let Lea stay on the scene a bit longer, present at the Tonys, let ensure the show marks a year long run, etc.

Talia Suskauer is incredible and Jewish, but not a real name. If they can find someone to replace Michele, I’d love to see her replace Julie.

Per a friend who works in the production, Lea's contract is actually open-ended. She has first right of refusal for any extension dates, and things look very positive for a Lea-led extension.

After her success, I don't see the production continuing after her run.