Beanie Feldstein and Jane Lynch have conspired to conquer Broadway in a new revival of the classic musical Funny Girl. The show opens at the August Wilson Theatre this spring.
Deadline reports actors Ramin Karimloo and Jared Grimes will join the pair in the new production, directed by veteran director Michael Mayer. Feldstein will step into the iconic role of comedienne Fanny Brice–a role that propelled Barbra Streisand to stardom–while Lynch will take on the role of her mother, Rose Bryce. Karimloo will play Fanny’s lover Nicky Arnstein, while Grimes has been cast as Eddie Ryan, a dancer that offers Fanny some career guidance.
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“I grew up to the Broadway cast album of Funny Girl,” Lynch said in a statement. “My mother and I knew every breath of that record and would sing it together at the top of our lungs. I am thrilled beyond words to be playing Fanny’s mother on Broadway. And somewhere in Heaven, my Mom is asking, ‘Who taught her everything she knows?’”
The new production marks the first revival of Funny Girl on Broadway since the original 1964 version. Harvey Firestein is also overseeing updates to the original script.
Since its original opening, many of the songs from Funny Girl have become standards including “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” The new production opens Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Man About Town
And of course it’s scheduled to open on Barbra’s 80th birthday! Now I’m faklempt…
Joshooeerr
Nothing against Beanie, but taking on Funny Girl seems like a suicide mission. There’s a reason it hasn’t been done in 60 years. There is Barbra… and there is no-one.
LumpyPillows
Yeah, I love Jane, but I don’t see her in the role either.
throwslikeagirl
Barbra, of course, was iconic as “Barbra does Fanny”. There are many other ways to play the role. Will Beanie be compared to her? Natch’, but I hope critics and the public will feel she brings her own uniqueness to the role. Not necessarily an improvement, but a difference. Think of Bette Midler’s recent take on Dolly. Not Carol Channing, but different, perhaps more soulful, a touch of bittersweet. I say, let’s give the girl a chance!
Cam
I didn’t realize Feldstein could sing. But after seeing her in “Booksmart” I thin she has acting chops, so I will be curious to see the reviews for this. I am cautiously optimistic.
throwslikeagirl
Beanie sang in the recent smash revival of “Hello Dolly” and was terrific. Can she sing? “Ye Gods!”