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Beanie Feldstein will play Fanny Brice, the role that helped make Barbra Streisand a star, in a production of “Funny Girl,” which returns to Broadway for the first time in 58 years.
The revival of the 1964 musical will be directed by Michael Mayer, who oversaw a 2015 revival of the show in London. The producers said performances would begin in the spring, but did not specify a date – although a recent Equity casting call gave April 2 as the first performance. The theater where the musical will take place will be announced at a later date.
“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. . “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 am extremely grateful to be able to do this alongside such a remarkable creative team,” she added, “and I can’t wait for audiences to come back to theaters!”
Feldstein made her Broadway debut in 2017 as Minnie Fay in “Hello, Dolly!”, Which starred Bette Midler, and had memorable roles in the films “Booksmart” and “Lady Bird”. She will play Monica Lewinsky next month in the new FX series “Impeachment: American Crime Story”.
“Funny Girl” traces the rise of self-deprecating comedian and actress Fanny Brice, and her relationship with professional gamer Nick Arnstein. The original production was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Streisand won the Oscar for Best Actress for the 1968 film, and her performance cast a shadow over the title role – a multidimensional character who must sing, make people laugh, and succeed through thick and thin at the same time.
An attempt to revive the series in 2012, with Bartlett Sher directing TV actress Lauren Ambrose in the lead role, fell apart. So, for many theatergoers, the long-awaited return of “Funny Girl” makes it one of the most anticipated covers in years.
Jule Styne and Bob Merrill’s sheet music includes classic songs such as “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”. Isobel Lennart’s original book is currently being edited by Harvey Fierstein. And Mayer has a solid track record, although some of his greatest directing successes have been with rock-accented material, most notably “Spring Awakening” in 2006 (for which he won a Tony) and the 2014 revival of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”. “
The new production will also feature choreography by Ellenore Scott and set design by David Zinn. Little Island Artist-in-Residence Ayodele Casel will oversee the show’s tap dance choreography.
The producers said additional casting announcements will be released shortly.
“Funny Girl” is the second unscheduled musical to announce its Broadway opening since the start of the pandemic. Previews of the new musical “Paradise Square” premieres February 22 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater.
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