Beanie Feldstein to star in ‘Funny Girl’ Broadway revival in 2022

After years of rumors and a few failed attempts, the very first cover of “Funny Girl” hits Broadway, starring Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice.

Set in New York shortly before World War I, “Funny Girl” tells the story of Brice, the real star of “Ziegfeld Follies”, and his tumultuous romance with gamer Nicky Arnstein. The musical features the classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and “People”.

The 2022 revival will be directed by Michael Mayer and will feature a script edited by Harvey Fierstein.

“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,” Feldstein said in a statement. sent Wednesday to HuffPost. “So it’s safe to say that playing this iconic role, on Broadway and not in my family’s backyard, is truly my life’s dream come true. I’m immensely grateful to be able to do so alongside a creative team. also remarkable, and I can’t wait for audiences to come back to theaters!

The original production of “Funny Girl” debuted on Broadway in 1964 and was nominated for eight Tony Awards. The musical was a breakthrough for Barbra Streisand, who reprized the role of Fanny Brice in the film version four years later and won an Oscar.

Since then, there have been many efforts to bring the musical back to Broadway to no avail. A 2011 production starring “Six Feet Under” actress Lauren Ambrose was reportedly in the works before the producers stepped down.

Three years later, Ryan Murphy reportedly planned to direct the show with Lea Michele whose “Glee” character Rachel Berry idolized Streisand and starred in a version of “Funny Girl” on the show. Star. And just weeks before COVID-19 closed Broadway last year, Idina Menzel reportedly considered the role of Fanny.

Feldstein is appreciated for her roles in “Lady Bird” and “Booksmart”, the latter of which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She made her Broadway debut in the 2017 revival of “Hello, Dolly!” with Bette Midler.

In the fall, she starred in “Impeachment: American Crime Story” as Monica Lewinsky and will return to the big screen in “The Humans,” which is set to premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in September.