Kristin Chenoweth & Darren Criss on Lea Michele in FUNNY GIRL
By: Robert Diamond Feb. 13, 2011
As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Broadway producerBob Boyett is endeavoring to revive FUNNY GIRL on Broadway with famed director Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, Awake and Sing, The Light in the Piazza) at the helm. The pair are currently planning a six week out-of-town tryout in late 2011 in preparation for a swift Broadway transfer later that season, according to the report. This would be the first revival of the show on Broadway. Boyett currently secures the rights.
The Hollywood reporter talked to fellow Barbra Streisand MusiCares performers, Kristin Chenoweth and Darren Criss about whether they felt Lea Michele could handle the part. Their answers? Darren Criss said "Maybe one day, Lea has many years ahead of her. She's very young and has all the time in the world."
Kristin Chenoweth said "I think that girl can do anything she wants to do, not only is Lea a delightful person, but she's a good singer and that's what's required. Anything she wants in life she should have because she deserves it."
Back in January, it was reported that No additional details are in place yet for the project, however, the pair can count on one Lea Michele to be in line for a 'Fanny Brice' audition, in the hopes of recreating the role made famous byBarbra Streisand in the 1964 original production. Michele has made little secret of her admiration for all things Streisand and her hope to one day fill the shoes of Ms. Brice. At a recent Television Critics Association Panel, Michele reiterated this passion when asked if she had been offered the role: "No -- where are the calls? Where are these calls? I mean if you don't know my obsession with Funny Girl ... of course, Fanny Brice is me. I feel very connected to that story."
Boyett has been noncommital about the Michele option, but has only had complimentary things to say of the songbird.
FUNNY GIRL has a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of Broadway, film star and comedienne Fanny Brice and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein. The musical was produced by Ray Stark, who was Brice's son-in-law via his marriage to her daughter Frances, and starred Barbra Streisand. The production was nominated for eight Tony Awards but, facing tough competition from Hello, Dolly!, it failed to win in any categories.
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