 |
| Photo Credit: AP. |
Lea Michele would lead the Broadway revival of the troubled “Funny Girl” this fall following the decision of current star Beanie Feldstein to quit the musical sooner than anticipated due to what she called the show talking a “different direction,” The Associated Press reports.
Michele who is
now coming back to the spotlight was accused by former “Glee” castmates in 2021
of behavior that could be interpreted as racist and bullying.
Michele
started her career on Broadway starring in the original “Spring Awakening,”
according to The Associated Press. She would play Ziegfeld Follies comedian
Fanny Brice after she recently returned to the work with the documentary
“Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known.”
Michele
hailed the announcement saying “a dream come true is an understatement” on
Instagram.
On Instagram
Michele hailed the formal announcement saying
“A dream
come true is an understatement. I’m so incredibly honored to join this amazing
cast and production and return to the stage playing Fanny Brice on Broadway,”
she said.
On Sunday
Feldstein wrote on Instagram saying that “playing Fanny Brice on Broadway has
been a lifelong dream of mine”, adding that doing so for the last few months
have been a great joy and true honor”. She lamented that the production
decision to “take the show in a different direction” necessitated the
“extremely difficult decision to step away sooner than anticipated”. Felstein
said she was departing by July 31st.
Fanny Brice Standby Julie Benko will perform
in the title role from August 2 – September 4, The Associated Press reported.
Michele will join the show starting September 6.