Photo Source: AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
This will be the first Broadway revival of the show that catapulted Barbra Streisand's career into the stratosphere in 1964 and won her an Oscar for her film debut in the 1968 screen adaptation. Cast as the irrepressible Jewish superstar in the new production of the Jule Styne-Bob Merrill-Isobel Leonnart tuner is Lauren Ambrose, who earned two Emmy nominations and two SAG awards for her role in "Six Feet Under." Her Broadway credits include "Awake and Sing!" and " "Exit the King." She has played major roles in several films and television series.
There was huge curiosity as to who would be cast in this role, which is strongly associated with Streisand. For a period of time, hints circulated in the media that Lea Michele of "Glee" had a strong shot at earning the plum job, following her knockout rendition of its signature showstopper "Don't Rain on My Parade" at last year's Tony Awards. The Ahmanson posted open audition calls for the part after this pre-Broadway run was announced. This is among the most acclaimed Broadway blockbusters to have heretofore never been revived there, though it was eclipsed at the Tonys in 1965 by the 'Hello, Dolly!" juggernaut. Composer Styne's sublime work on "Funny Girl" seems second only to his masterwork, "Gypsy."
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