The first Broadway revival of “Funny Girl” has recouped its investment. The production, which opened on April 24, 2022, at the August Wilson Theatre, was capitalized at $16.5 million. As previously announced, “Funny Girl” will close on Sept. 3.
The production opened with Beanie Feldstein starring as Fanny Brice and Jane Lynch as Mrs. Rosie Brice. On Sept. 6, 2022, Lea Michele took over the role of Fanny while Tovah Feldshuh stepped in as Mrs. Brice.
With the casting change, “Funny Girl” set a new box office record for an eight-performance week at the August Wilson for the week ending Jan. 8, hitting a gross total of $2,062,739. The production received just one Tony Award nomination: for Jared Grimes’ featured turn as Eddie Ryan.
In addition to Michele, Feldshuh and Grimes, the principal cast currently includes Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein and Julie Benko as the Fanny alternate (performing the role on Thursdays).
The mounting also features Ephie Aardema, Debra Cardona, Martin Moran, Paolo Montalban, Anne L. Nathan, Miriam Ali, Daniel Beeman, Colin Bradbury, Kurt Csolak, Leslie Donna Flesner, Kaitlyn Frank, Candice Hatakeyama, Curtis Holland, Masumi Iwai, Aliah James, Jeremiah James, Danielle Kelsey, Amy Laviolette, Stephen Mark Lukas, Alicia Lundgren, John Manzari, Michael Mastro, Liz McCartney, Connor McRory, Katie Mitchell, Mariah Reives, Derek Jordan Taylor and Leslie Blake Walker.
Directed by Michael Mayer, “Funny Girl” features the original score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. The original book by Isobel Lennart (based on a story by Lennart) was revised for this production by Harvey Fierstein.
The mounting features choreography by Ellenore Scott, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel and music direction/supervision by Michael Rafter. “Funny Girl” also includes scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Brian Ronan, hair and wig design by Campbell Young Associates, orchestrations by Chris Walker, arrangements by Alan Williams and additional arrangements by David Dabbon and Carmel Dean. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger.
A cast album was released on physical CD in January and is available for purchase and streaming. A national tour of this staging was also previously announced.
“Funny Girl” is produced on Broadway by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis and David Babani.
