Lea Michele to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL Starting 9/6; Beanie Feldstein Departing 7/31 — Page 12

ACL2006 said: "Is there an official press release? I see Benko will play the role until Michele starts."

Julie Benko will be the official Fanny Brice from August 1 to September 4 then is back as Fanny standby and regular Julie/Elphie scenario.  

Schmergo2 said: "I am not a Lea Michele fan, but I do think it was very shrewd to have her prominently feature in all that Spring Awakening Anniversary stuff/ Tony performance when Funny Girl didn't feature in the Tonys-- it was very well-timed."

She paid for that. Buying a slot on the show when Beanie wasn't nominated was her audition as replacement. It worked.

Laughing so hard I can’t even breathe

Jordan Catalano said: "When was Jane supposed to leave originally?"

When she was on 'The View' back in April, she said she was leaving the end of September, and Beanie was contracted through October (but never said if BF was leaving when her contract was up). 

Bette's Turban said: "joevitus said: "Schmergo2 said: "I am not a Lea Michele fan, but I do think it was very shrewd to have her prominently feature in all that Spring Awakening Anniversary stuff/ Tony performance when Funny Girl didn't feature in the Tonys-- it was very well-timed."

She paid for that. Buying a slot on the show when Beanie wasn't nominated was her audition as replacement. It's worked."

Nonsense."

Any number of people here have said she paid for that spot herself. It was her "See how I can work well with people? Remember how talented I am? And don't you need a new Fanny?" moment. It worked. 

joevitus said: "Bette's Turban said: "joevitus said: "Schmergo2 said: "I am not a Lea Michele fan, but I do think it was very shrewd to have her prominently feature in all that Spring Awakening Anniversary stuff/ Tony performance when Funny Girl didn't feature in the Tonys-- it was very well-timed."

She paid for that. Buying a slot on the show when Beanie wasn't nominated was her audition as replacement. It's worked."

Nonsense."

Any number of people here have said she paid for that spot herself. It was her "See how I can work well with people? Remember how talented I am? And don't you need a new Fanny?" moment. It worked."

If this is true, I forgive her of all past transgressions for being such a baller. She is my spirit animal.

If by any chance they go the way of making any other changes to the production.. to put new wind in its sails...  these are changes I would like to see.  Put a real darn curtain in there.  New wardrobe from top to bottom for Fanny.  At least give that ugly brick wall thing another color.  Have Harvey give it another go to that awful second act scene between Fanny and her mother.  And for goodness sake ; RE-STAGE THAT AWFUL CURTAIN CALL!

Welp, 9/6 is sold out except for resales.

We'll be getting a cast album with Lea and Tovah now, right?

Let's not forget - some of the first rumors we heard of a FUNNY GIRL revival was from Rosie O'Donnell, at the end of 2018 after Lady Gaga won rave reviews in 'A Star Is Born'. It was then that RO first said there would be a revival, with LG as 'Fanny' and Rosie herself would play 'Mrs. Brice'. 

"It is the truth," said O'Donnell. "Michael Mayer is doing it. He's already got the rights from the estate. I'm going to play Rose Brice." - October 23, 2018

 

After a while, Rosie no longer mentioned Lady Gaga, but insisted the musical was happening and she would be playing 'Mrs Brice' - she mentioned this as late as the end of summer, 2020 and claimed the show would be taking the stage sometime in 2021, once COVID was over. 

CATSNYrevival said: "We'll be getting a cast album with Lea and Tovahnow, right?"

With THAT cast including Ramin? HELL YEAH!

 

DAME said: "If by any chance they go the way of making any other changes to the production.. to put new wind in its sails... these are changes I would like to see. Put a real darn curtain in there. New wardrobe from top to bottom for Fanny. At least give that ugly brick wall thing another color. Have Harvey give it another go to that awful second act scene between Fanny and her mother. And for goodness sake ; RE-STAGE THAT AWFUL CURTAIN CALL!"

Yes to most of this.  But I imagine that Harvey is over it and out.  That curtain call is really boring and doesn't work.  Such a easy fix.