Martin Moran, Peter Francis James, Ephie Aardema, Toni DiBuono and Debra Cardona have joined the Broadway cast of “Funny Girl,” producers announced Monday.
They join Beanie Feldstein, Ramin Karimloo, Jane Lynch and Jared Grimes in the first Broadway revival of the 1964 musical by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. Harvey Fierstein has revised the book, originally written by Isobel Lennart, for the production.
Moran, who will play Tom Keeney, has appeared in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “Cabaret,” and “Wicked,” among other productions. James, most recently seen in “Hillary and Clinton,” will take on the role of Florenz Ziegfeld. Aardema, who has been cast as Emma and Mrs. Nadler, previously appeared in “The Bridges of Madison County.” DiBuono has been on Broadway in “Wonderful Town” and “The Boys from Syracuse,” and will play Mrs. Strakosh. Cardona, a member of several national tour companies in the past, will make her Broadway debut in the production as Mrs. Meeker.
Rehearsals for “Funny Girl” begin Monday, ahead of a first preview at the August Wilson Theatre on March 26. The revival is scheduled to open April 24. The show is produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani.
The company will also feature Amber Ardolino, Daniel Beeman, Colin Bradbury, Kurt Thomas Csolak, Leslie Donna Flesner, Afra Hines, Masumi Iwai, Aliah James, Jeremiah James, Danielle Kelsey, Stephen Mark Lukas, Alicia Hadiya Lundgren, John Thomas Manzari, Liz McCartney, Katie Mitchell, Justin Prescott, Mariah Reives and Leslie Blake Walker. Julie Benko will serve as Feldstein’s standby for the role of Fanny Brice.
The production, directed by Michael Mayer, announced additional creative team members Monday, including Susan Hilferty as costume designer, Kevin Adams as lighting designer and Brian Ronan as sound designer. They join previously announced choreographer Ellenore Scott, tap choreographer Ayodele Casel and scenic designer David Zinn.
