According to Gawker who has 'inside info', Leah Michele is definitely replacing Beanie, starting September 30. She's contracted to do six shows a week, and Julie Benko will be taking over the other two shows per week.
https://www.gawker.com/celebrity/lea-michele-to-replace-beanie-feldstein-in-funny-girl?utm_campaign=gawker&utm_content=1656619064&utm_medium=owned&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1QYFx5QnxGtS5Ics-FicxmT0sdBq6-yVLlcWyPkvovXH122MeD91UzbCE
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/21
It's Lea, FWIW.
Because Gawker is such a reliable source...
Oh, Jordan, behave.
Lol. Look, if this is true she’s going to be great. I think no matter what one thinks of her personally, pretty much everyone agrees that the talent is there and she’s going to be great in the role.
If this is true, I will move mountains to try to get to NYC to see this. Too bad Company will be closed
Just showing her the respect she deserves by correcting the spelling of her name.
Highland Guy said: "Just showing her the respect she deserves by correcting the spelling of her name."
Well maybe the OP is NOT ONE OF HER FAAANNNNNNNNNNS.
I’m rather ambivalent to her. If she gets good reviews I will go to see her.
Did we really need to start another thread?
If this is true, they absolutely have to bring in Idina Menzel to replace Jane Lynch.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Sally Durant Plummer said: "If this is true, I will move mountains to try to get to NYC to see this. Too bad Company will be closed "
Lea Michele is not in COMPANY.
^ they’re aware
Popular said: "Did we really need to start another thread?"
It's the age-old question.
Call_me_jorge said: "If this is true, they absolutely have to bring in Idina Menzel to replace Jane Lynch."
Holy God, now that would be sold out often and be an EVENT.
Lea and Julie are perfect for this role and it would be awesome if they got to share it.
Idina’s “Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?” would definitely resonate deliciously.
Popular said: "Did we really need to start another thread?"
Did you really need to respond ?
Let’s be honest…
they really screwed the pooch the first go around with the casting. They need a hefty replacement, and the sheer drama of Lea being the one would move tickets.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/03
Gawker and "sources" means someone's publicist is working overtime. If she's going to do it, I should think there'll be an official statement rather than sources. Until then, why even talk about it?
Jordan Catalano said: "Lol. Look, if this is true she’s going to be great. I think no matter what one thinks of her personally, pretty much everyone agrees that the talent is there and she’s going to be great in the role."
She'll sing the hell out of the score, but I don't know that means she'll be a good Fanny Brice. She's frankly too traditionally pretty for the role.
This is adding insult to injury. Not only I paid to see a terrible show with a terrible lead, and then you hire someone better to do it? The producers should give us all a refund to buy a new ticket and see it with a qualified performer.
If you’ve done a sexy pinup for Maxim magazine, playing a homely girl is gonna feel like the old “put glasses on the supermodel and she’s suddenly an invisible nerd” trope.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/11
darquegk said: "If you’ve done a sexy pinup for Maxim magazine, playing a homely girl is gonna feel like the old “put glasses on the supermodel and she’s suddenly an invisible nerd” trope."
Yes, I’m sure all the audience members who go to see Lea in FG will be thinking, “That’s the sexy girl from Maxim? I want my money back!”
I've never found Lea Michele to be traditionally pretty. Much like Barbra, she has a distinctive nose that makes her beauty "quirky," so, physically, I think she's a great fit for Fanny.
It would be very interesting if they end up doing a cast recording with Lea Michelle.
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