Lea Michele as Fanny Brice inFunny Girl.Photo: Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Lea Michelereceived a standing ovation Tuesday night — before she even said a word — at her highly-anticipated first performance in Broadway’sFunny Girl.
The actress, 36, made her triumphant return to the boards after a 13-year absence, stepping into the role of Fanny Brice in the musical revival, now playing New York City’s August Wilson Theatre.
Cheering her on was an electric crowd of friends and fans alike — from her best friendJonathan Groff, to their fellowSpring Awakeningcostars John Gallagher Jr. and Gideon Glick. Drew Barrymore was also in attendance, as wasZachary Quinto,Lee Pace, Tony winnerHarvey Fierstein, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and prolific producerRyan Murphy, who worked with Michele inGleeandScream Queens.
In fact, the crowd went so wild for Michele, she received a total of four standing ovations before the end of Act 1, including one after the show’s signature tune, “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” Another two followed in the show’s second act.
At intermission, the aisles were packed with audiences members gushing about Michele’s vocals, her comedic timing, and the all-around excitement in the house. “I haven’t had a night like this in the theater in years,” Fierstein, who punched up the musical’s book, told a friend as he made his way back to his seat.
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Michele — and Tovah Feldshuh, who was also debuting in the production on Tuesday, as Fanny’s mother — were showered with praise again during the musical’s curtain call, each getting a bouquet of roses from their company members. Taking one another’s hands, the two actresses shared a group bow before Michele stepped center stage on her own. She made eye contact with a sobbing Groff in the audience, pointing at him and sending a smile his way before scurrying off backstage.
“She’s the greatest star alright,” one fan was overheard saying as they left the theater, a nod to one ofFunny Girl’s beloved tunes. “I’m going to need to come back this Friday and see it again.”
Ahead of her first performance, the actress told PEOPLE that she was excited to have some of her friends and family supporting her in the crowd.
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
“I know Jon [Groff] and John [Gallagher Jr.] are going to be there,” she said. “So I have all of my people. It’s wonderful.”
The actress said that herSpring Awakeninggroup chat was filled with nothing but well wishes upon the news that she’d be stepping into the revival following original starBeanie Feldstein’s exit in July.
“Everyone is so incredibly supportive,” she said of herSpring Awakeningcast members. “I mean, literally, it’s just a constant support for all of us.”
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“We just sat in the living room and toasted to that. But I also had a weekend where we went away together and we celebrated. So we’ve had these mini little celebrations,” she recalled.
However, it was formerSpring Awakeningcast member Gideon Glick who shared in a particularly special moment with the formerGleestar.
Jenny Anderson, 2022
“And he saw me crying. People had been asking me [about the role], but I didn’t really know what was going to happen,” she continued. “He was like, ‘Oh my God, did you just get the part?’ And I was nodding. So he took a picture of me on the street hysterically crying, getting the part of Fanny Brice.
“Gideon used to be my old roommate. And he was actually there with me when I got the call that I would be inLes Mizas well. So it was just a very full-circle moment for me.”
For more information, visitFunnyGirlonBroadway.com.
source: people.com
