Last week it was reported that actress Beanie Feldstein, 28, has been tapped to revive the lead role in the Broadway musical Funny Girl.
With the news came speculation that actress Lea Michele, 34, who once expressed interest in the role, might be feeling bitter about it being given to her peer.
But the former Glee star put that to rest when she publicly showed support for Feldstein on Instagram.
Speculation: With the news of Beanie Feldstein’s Funny Girl casting came speculation that actress Lea Michele, who once expressed interest in the role, might be feeling bitter about it being given to her peer; Lea on Instagram in August 2021
Under Feldstein’s social media announcement, Michele left an excited and encouraging note: ‘Yes! YOU are the greatest star! This is going to be epic!!!!’
When the mother-of-one was on the hit show Glee, her character Rachel Berry, performed in the famed musical’s lead role.
Rumors of a Funny Girl revival have swirled for years, with performers like Idina Menzel and Lady Gaga speculated to be connected to the show.
When producer Ryan Murphy obtained the rights to bring the Broadway show to life once again, Lea commented to BroadwayWorld.com: ‘When the time is right and I have had the chance to get some good rest for a while after Glee and I feel ready to do it then definitely we will do it.’
Showing support: Under Feldstein’s social media announcement, Michele left an excited and encouraging note: ‘YOU are the greatest star!’
Exciting news: Producers announced Wednesday that Feldstein, the Booksmart and Lady Bird actor, will star as Ziegfeld Follies comedian Fanny Brice in spring 2022 at a Broadway theater to be announced
That was back in 2014, and things have changed in seven years. Glee ended in 2015. Lea married Zandy Reich in 2019, and they welcomed son Ever in August 2020.
Last year the brunette performer endured claims from her Glee co-stars that she was a bully during the production of the TV show.
In June 2020 she took to Instagram to publicly take responsibility and apologize. ‘I am a couple of months from becoming a mother and I know I need to keep working to better myself and take responsibility for my actions, so that I can be a real role model for my child and so I can pass along my lessons and mistakes, so that they can learn from me.’
She added, ‘I listened to these criticisms and I am learning and while I am very sorry, I will be better in the future from this experience.’
Ready for the role: ‘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
Producers announced Wednesday that Feldstein, the Booksmart and Lady Bird actor, will star as Ziegfeld Follies comedian Fanny Brice in spring 2022 at a Broadway theater to be announced.
‘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 on Instagram.
‘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,’ the star noted in a statement.
The role was made famous by Barbra Streisand, who originated the part on Broadway and then went on to star in the film version, which earned her an Academy Award.
Who did it first: The role was made famous by Barbra Streisand, who originated the part on Broadway and then went on to star in the film version, which earned her an Academy Award
This will be the first Broadway revival of the 1964 musical. This will not be the first time Feldstein – whose brother is actor Jonah Hill – has tackled the part.
Feldstein made her Broadway debut in 2017 in the Bette Midler-led revival of Hello, Dolly!
The new production of Funny Girl will be directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer, who also helmed ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and ‘Spring Awakening.’ It will have a revised book by Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein.