Beanie Feldstein is departing the 2022 Broadway revival of "Funny Girl" in September after receiving mainly negative reviews from critics.
Aside from Feldstein, her onstage mother, Jane Lynch, will also depart from the show at the same time she does. Lynch plays Mrs. Brice in the 2022 production.
With the lead exiting, fans on Twitter have been putting forward a name not new to the role ever since - will she ever make the cut to play Fanny Brice?
Beanie Feldstein, Jane Lynch Exits Broadway's 'Funny Girl' Revival
Not more than five months since she was cast, Beanie Feldstein will be performing her swan song at the August Wilson Theatre in September as Fanny Brice.
Feldstein casting as a successor to Barbra Streisand has raised eyebrows at the start, noting how she was not fit for the role at all.
While the production started rolling, the hype for the revival was huge, considering the last time it was shown on Broadway, Barbra Streisand was 22 at the time; she is now 80 years old.
On the Opening Day of "Funny Girl" in Broadway, critics are in unison in their reviews - Feldstein only "drizzled" on her performance, not as much as "rained" as Streisand did.
"her character - and Feldstein's performance - never goes far beyond the sentimental, tiresome, and not-exactly-of-the-moment cliche of the woman who can't stop loving her man, even after nearly every character on stage (not to mention the audience) knows it's doomed," Variety reviewed at the time.
Aside from Feldstein departing, Jane Lynch will also have her final bow in September. This is the second stage cred for the "Glee" alum, her first one being in "Annie" for a limited time in 2013.
With the announcement of their exits, Twitter fans have put a familiar name forward who they think would be the best fit to play Fanny Brice - Lea Michele.
Lea Michele as Fanny Brice in 'Funny Girl'?
Michele is no stranger to the role, as she made it apparent in the six years of "Glee" that she is Fanny Brice, and she got the role for it.
Unlike Feldstein, Michele had much more stage and singing cred, and she has proved that in the commercial and cultural success of "Glee" on television.
Although no news of a replacement has been announced yet, eagle-eyed fans have pointed out that "Funny Girl" is directed by Michael Mayer, the same person who directed "Spring Awakening," where Michele had her first lead role.
Lea Michele better get that role. She may be difficult, but boy can she sing !
— Lucas - Adele is here ³⁰ 💋 (@boteggna1) June 15, 2022
Lea Michele for Funny where do I sign the petition
— ari (@aricastros) June 15, 2022
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