What Happened to Funny Girl (musical)?

The musical 'Funny Girl' first captivated audiences with its Broadway premiere on March 26, 1964, at the Winter Garden Theatre, starring the then-rising sensation Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice. The original production, which chronicled the semi-biographical story of the Ziegfeld Follies star and her tumultuous relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein, ran for an impressive 1,348 performances before closing on July 1, 1967. Despite receiving eight Tony Award nominations, it famously won none, overshadowed by 'Hello, Dolly!' in the same season. Streisand's iconic performance was later immortalized in the 1968 film adaptation, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress.

For decades, 'Funny Girl' remained largely absent from major Broadway stages, though it saw a successful West End revival in 2016 starring Sheridan Smith, which garnered critical acclaim and a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Musical Revival. The musical's long-awaited first Broadway revival finally opened on April 24, 2022, at the August Wilson Theatre. Initially starring Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice, the production received mixed reviews, with some critics noting challenges with the lead's vocal performance.

A significant turning point for the revival came on September 6, 2022, when Lea Michele, known for her role as Rachel Berry in 'Glee' (a character who famously dreamed of playing Fanny Brice), took over the lead role. Michele's performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, leading to a substantial surge in ticket sales and critical re-evaluation of the production. Alongside Michele, Tovah Feldshuh joined the cast as Mrs. Brice. The revival, featuring a revised book by Harvey Fierstein, ultimately recouped its $16.5 million capitalization by August 2023.

The Broadway revival concluded its run on September 3, 2023, after 599 performances and 30 previews. Following its Broadway success, a US National Tour of 'Funny Girl' launched on September 9, 2023, with Katerina McCrimmon in the starring role of Fanny Brice. This tour brought the acclaimed production to cities across North America, concluding its run on April 13, 2025.

Currently, as of September 2026, 'Funny Girl' continues its presence on stage with a new UK tour. This production commenced on February 20, 2026, at Manchester Palace and is scheduled to visit numerous venues across the United Kingdom. The cast for this tour includes Sheridan Smith, who previously starred in the 2016 West End revival, among others. The musical's enduring appeal, driven by its memorable score and the compelling story of Fanny Brice, ensures its continued life in theatrical productions worldwide.