Beanie Feldstein will star in a revival of “Funny Girl” on Broadway this spring.
This is the first Broadway revival of the 1964 musical and it will feature direction by Michael Mayer and a revised book by Harvey Fierstein. Feldstein, who starred in the film “Booksmart” and the recent Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” takes on the role originated by Barbra Streisand.
Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis and Chocolate Factory Productions are producing the musical, which is slated to run on Broadway in spring 2022. The theater has not yet been announced.
In addition to Mayer (“Spring Awakening”) and Fierstein (“Torch Song Trilogy”), the revival will feature choreography by Ellenore Scott (“Head Over Heels”), tap choreography by Ayodele Casel and scenic design by David Zinn (“Fun Home”).
While this is the first time the musical has been revived on Broadway, Mayer directed a 2015 London revival of the musical starring Sheridan Smith. This is not a transfer of that production.
“Funny Girl” features original music by Jules Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and a book by Isobel Lennart.
According to a casting notice posted earlier this week, the role of Nick Arstein has also been cast.
Feldstein comes to the role after starring in “Lady Bird” and with upcoming roles including Monica Lewinsky in the television series “Impeachment: American Crime Story,” the film adaptation of “The Humans” and the screen adaptation of “Merrily We Roll Along,” which will film over the next 20 years.
“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 press release. “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.”
