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May 27, 2012

Lea Michele: 'Funny Girl'?

by Rich Keller, posted Jun 10th 2010 10:45AM

Lea MicheleIt seems that 'Glee's' Lea Michele could have an opportunity to channel Barbra Streisand on a more regular basis.

In a new interview with the NY Times, Bob Boyett, who is producing the 2012 Broadway revival of 'Funny Girl,' sang the praises of Michele, whose character, Rachel Barry, is obsessed with the Oscar-winning legend.

"I think Lea is wonderful, she's great, and she would certainly be on anybody's list. She's also got a pretty good gig going now," he said, when asked whether she'd be considered for the role.

No word yet on who might actually get the role, although Boyett did say, "There have been a few Hollywood types who have expressed interest, but we're also open to going with an unknown actress."

Streisand originated the role on Broadway in the original 1964 production, and subsequent film adaptation in 1968.



Lea is no stranger to either Broadway or Barbara. Prior to her role on 'Glee,' Michele starred in the musical 'Spring Awakening,' for which she won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. She also appeared in Broadway productions of 'Les Miserables' 'Ragtime' and 'Fiddler on the Roof.'

Michele's connection with Streisand came during the mid-season finale of 'Glee' when her character, Rachel Berry, belted out 'Don't Rain on my Parade' -- one of the showstoppers from 'Funny Girl' -- during the show choir Sectionals.

Tell us: Is Lea Michele the right 'Funny Girl'? Or should someone rain on Boyett's parade?

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Will

I'm sure they could work out something if she was that interested in the role. If I remember correctly, back in the '80s, Erica Gimpel took time off from playing Coco on "Fame" to do a Broadway show, too.

June 10 2010 at 10:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rich Keller

It would be tough, since she is one of the 'faces' of the show. Particularly the commute between L.A. and New York. Then again, this may be one of those things that she decides one role is better for her than another. Coming from Broadway she may go with 'Funny Girl' if selected.

June 10 2010 at 1:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Barbara

I adore Lea, but I think she's too young to play Fanny.

June 10 2010 at 12:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Barbara's comment
Rich Keller

Barbara played Fanny on Broadway when she was just 21. So, Lea is already two years older.

June 10 2010 at 1:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Barbara

Maybe, but Lea looks younger though. I don't know, to me she just doesn't seem right for it (yet, at least) just as she doesn't seem right to me to play Elphaba (why does everyone want her to play her so badly?) I think Lea should go on creating original roles. She's fantastic in her own right.

June 10 2010 at 2:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sigma982

If anything, she could probably do a guest run (a la American Idol contestants on Broadway) at some point during the running of the show.

She's obviously more than qualified to do it (her rendition of "Parade" is still my top Glee moment)...

Perhaps a re-make of the movie starring her would work as well......they've done so many movie remakes lately, why not another, more "modern" version of it?

June 10 2010 at 11:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jon Carpenter

She would be great in the role, but honestly, does she even have the time? Pretty sure Glee is going back to filming season 2 in the next month or so. And there will be no hiatus in the middle of this season. She hardly has the time to do Glee and a short run on Broadway.

June 10 2010 at 11:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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