Lea Michele Bids Farewell To 'Funny Girl' As Show Closes On Broadway

Lea Michele Announces Pregnancy — Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Lea Michele is stepping down on the role of a lifetime as she bid adieu to Fanny Brice on "Funny Girl" on Broadway after playing it for more than a year.

Notably, Michele was instrumental in the show's resurgence after a dismal commercial performance brought by Beanie Feldstein. Since Michele took on the role, the show experienced a massive turnout, resulting in critical acclaim and better box office sales.

Lea Michele Bids Farewell To Fanny Brice

In an emotional Instagram post, she shared online, Lea Michele reflected on the role of a lifetime she had been gunning for since "Glee."

"For the past year, I've had the honor and privilege of playing the iconic Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on the August Wilson Stage," she said. "An opportunity my younger self could have only dreamed of. And did."

According to Michele, she has always felt a "deep love and connection" to Fanny Brice, a role that her idol and music icon Barbra Streisand has originated on the big screen.

Somehow her essence has continuously been there serving as inspiration and motivation throughout the most pivotal corners of my life," she added.

Michele also took time to remember watching "Funny Girl" while she was on Broadway in 2007 for "Spring Awakening," to singing songs from the musical on Glee as Rachel Berry, who also got the role of Fanny on the fictional revival of the show on the series, and even performing in front of Streisand at the Grammy Music Cares.

Lea Michele as Fanny Brice

"Fanny Brice has been [a part] of my career from the very beginning and no words can describe what it has meant for me to play this role on Broadway and make it my own," she said in the lengthy post. "This experience has been filled with some of the most incredible accomplishments and challenging moments that I have such deep appreciation and gratitude for."

Since taking on the role in July 2022, Michele has garnered more attention - both good and bad. Notably, her past issues on the set of Glee, including her alleged diva behavior and racist tendencies have been unearthed and was talked about extensively. Rumors about her illiteracy which has become an online running joke were also unearthed.

However, acclaim for her talent and performance as Fanny Brice solidified Michele as one of Broadway's best performers of 2023. Although she wasn't eligible for a Tony nomination already as she did not originate the role at the start of the revival, she has been deemed by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people of 2023.