Beanie Feldstein Starring as Fanny Brice in Broadway Revival of ‘Funny Girl’-
“No one is going to rain on Beanie Feldstein’s parade.”
The following written content by Brent Lang
No one is going to rain on Beanie Feldstein’s parade.
The “Booksmart” star will play Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” giving the actress an opportunity to put her own spin on the role that launched Barbra Streisand’s career and became synonymous with the acting legend. It’s also the first time that the musical has been revived on Broadway since it wrapped its run nearly six decades ago. It comes after an earlier attempt to revive “Funny Girl” in 2012, with Lauren Ambrose playing Fanny Brice and Bobby Cannavale as her husband Nicky Arnstein, collapsed when investors pulled out.
The new production will be directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”) with performances set to begin in spring 2022 at a Broadway theater yet to be announced. Feldstein sounds excited by the prospect of getting to sing such classic songs as “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “People” and “My Man.”
“The first time I played Fanny Brice was at my third birthday party, in a head-to-toe leopard print outfit my mom made for me,” she said in a statement. “So, it’s safe to say that stepping into this iconic role, on Broadway and not in my family’s backyard, is truly my lifelong dream come true. I am immensely grateful to be able to do so alongside such a remarkable creative team, and cannot wait for audiences to get back in theaters again!”
Choreography will be overseen by Ellenore Scott (“Head Over Heels”), tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, and the show will feature a revised book by Harvey Fierstein, of “La Cage aux Folles” and “Hairspray” renown. David Zinn will be in charge of scenic design. “Funny Girl” features music by Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winner Jule Styne, lyrics by Tony nominee and Grammy winner Bob Merrill, and a book by Isobel Lennart, from an original story by Lennart. Read more from Variety.
