After a shaky start, producers announced on Monday that the Broadway musical Funny Girl has successfully recouped its capitalization costs. The production was funded with a capitalization of $16.5 million. One month ahead of closing night, the Funny Girl musical has paid back its investors.
Funny Girl will have its final Broadway performance on September 3. Following its Broadway run, a North American tour will commence with Katerina McCrimmon taking on the lead role.
What are you waiting for, gorgeous? Only 4 weeks left to see us march our band out on Broadway
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— Funny Girl on Broadway (@FunnyGirlBwy) August 7, 2023
Celebrating the Life and Times of Fanny Brice
Funny Girl, the celebrated musical, chronicles the story of the legendary Follies comedienne Fanny Brice. The semi-biographical musical opened on Broadway in 1964 starring Barbra Streisand.
Funny Girl tells the story of Fanny Brice, who grew up always dreaming of a life on stage. With humble beginnings as a vaudeville player, she works her way up to stardom. However, despite her beginning to thrive as a beloved comedienne, her stormy relationship with her imprisoned businessman husband, Nick Arnstein is another story entirely.
Isobel Lennart wrote the original book for Funny Girl, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The 2022 revival features a book revised by Harvey Fierstein and direction by Michael Mayer.
The Revival’s Shaky Start and The Future of Funny Girl
In a recent revival, Beanie Feldstein initially played the lead role. Sadly, after facing a series of solidly mixed reviews and struggling box office numbers, she was released from her contract six months early. The producers then chose Lea Michele, known for her role in Glee as Feldstein’s replacement.
The current cast of Funny Girl includes Lea Michele as Fanny Brice, Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein, Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan, and Tovah Feldshuh as Mrs. Brice. Supporting roles are filled by Ephie Aardema, Debra Cardona, Martin Moran, Pablo Montalban, Anne L. Nathan, and others, with Julie Benko performing as theFanny Brice alternate every Thursday.
A national tour will soon begin, starring Melissa Manchester and Katerina McCrimmon.
I was fully determined to catch funny girl on broadway cause I missed it last year and I just found out it’s closing next month damn
— cruella joe (@cruellasfurcoat) August 5, 2023
“People who need people are the luckiest people in the world!” What a terrific performance of “Funny Girl” last night on Broadway!
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— Ted Abel (@TedAbelneuro) July 30, 2023
