'Funny Girl,' starring Lea Michele, sets Broadway closing date

Ramin Karimloo and Tovah Feldshuh also star in the first revival of this musical classic, which has played the August Wilson Theatre since March 2022.

Gillian Russo
Gillian Russo

There's only a few months left to hear the music that makes you dance. The first Broadway revival of Funny Girl has set a closing date of September 3, 2023. At the time of closing, the show will have played 629 total performances at the August Wilson Theatre.

Funny Girl made Barbra Streisand a star upon its 1964 premiere, and Beanie Feldstein originated the role of Fanny in the revival nearly 60 years later, beginning performances in March 2022.

Feldstein departed the show in July, and Glee star Lea Michele joined in September.

All three of the musical's current stars will remain with Funny Girl for the rest of its run: Michele as Fanny, Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein, and Tovah Feldshuh as Mrs. Rosie Brice.

A five-star New York Theatre Guide review of Michele's performance reads, "Lea Michele in Funny Girl on Broadway is the theatre event of the season... Michele stands alone as a singular Broadway performer, one who can pack a house and command a crowd and also hit all the right notes and laughs."

Michele does not perform in Funny Girl on Thursdays. Her alternate, Julie Benko — who became a breakout star for her performance as Fanny — performs the role then.

Funny Girl is based on the life of real Ziegfeld Follies showgirl Fanny Brice, who risks her career and livelihood for a stormy romance with the gambler Nick Arnstein.

The score, which includes famous songs like "Don't Rain on My Parade," is by Jule Styne. Harvey Fierstein revised Isobel Lennart's original book for this revival.

Originally published on

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