RIALTO CHATTER: Benanti, O'Hara, Parker in the Running for FUNNY GIRL Revival?

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Broadway producer Bob Boyett is planning to revive FUNNY GIRL on Broadway with famed director Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, Awake and Sing, The Light in the Piazza) at the helm. Though no official comment has been made on production plans, it has been reported that the pair are currently planning a six week out-of-town tryout in late 2011 prior to a swift Broadway transfer thereafter. This would be the first revival of the show on Broadway. Boyett currently secures the rights.

This morning, Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post that casting is underway for the role of Fanny Brice, made famous by Barbra Streisand in 1964 (a role she later reprised in the 1968 film). Considerations include Laura Benanti, Nicole Parker (MADtv, Wicked), Kelli O'Hara and Leslie Kritzer. Riedel reports that Lea Michele is also still in the mix. 

To read the full report in the Post, click here.

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.

Photo Credit: Kevin Thomas Garcia