After several decades off the stage, Funny Girl returned to Broadway in a 2022 revival starring Jewish actress Beanie Feldstein. On March 26, 2022, Feldstein mounted the stage of the August Wilson Theatre and stepped into the role of Fanny Brice, bringing her own comedic twist to the Jewish vaudeville character that left the theater roaring with laughter.  

Prior to her emergence on the Broadway scene, Feldstein was known for her role in movies such as Impeachment, Lady Bird, and Booksmart. Her move to the world of Broadway was, therefore, surprising to some. Feldstein, though, has attributed her decision to cross the boundary between the screen and stage to her ambition rooted in her long-time love of theater and her Jewish identity.  

The role of Fanny Brice was hardly foreign to Feldstein, a longtime Broadway fan. “The first time I played Fanny Brice was at my third birthday party, in a head-to-toe leopard print outfit my mom made for me,” Feldstein shared. “So, it’s safe to say that stepping into this iconic role, on Broadway and not in my family’s backyard, is truly my lifelong dream come true.” In her run in Funny Girl, Feldstein stepped into the shoes of Fanny Brice and her lifelong role model and iconic Jewish actress Barbra Streisand, who for decades has been the personification of the musical.  

Feldstein has shared the excitement she feels to play Jewish characters. Funny Girl tells the story of the career and tumultuous marriage of Fanny Brice, a vaudeville star of the early 20th century and the daughter of Jewish immigrants. Brice built a persona around her Jewishness, performing comedy in a Yiddish accent to entertain crowds. “The fact that I’m on Broadway stage dancing under a huge banner that says ‘Mazel Tov, Fanny!’ is for me, as a Jewish woman, very meaningful and fulfilling and emotional and special,” said Feldstein in an interview with the New York Jewish Week.  

Beanie Feldstein delighted audiences for four months in her run in Funny Girl. In June 2022, in a controversial move, it was announced that Feldstein would be leaving the show. Her last performance was July 31, 2022. 

SOURCES:  

Applebaum, Stephen. “Being Beanie.” Thejc.com, December 23, 2021. https://www.thejc.com/life-and-culture/all/being-beanie-5VjgZA5zV6CGz4vJyABw1l. 

Bjornson, Greta. “Beanie Feldstein Will Star in First-Ever ‘Funny Girl’ Broadway Revival: My 'Dream Come True.'” People.com, August 11, 2021. https://people.com/theater/beanie-feldstein-to-star-in-first-ever-funny-girl-broadway-revival/.  

Buchwald, Linda. “Beanie Feldstein opens up on ‘Funny Girl’ role: ‘Incredibly meaningful for me as a Jewish woman.’” JTA.org. https://www.jta.org/2022/04/18/ny/beanie-feldstein-opens-up-on-funny-girl-role-incredibly-meaningful-for-me-as-a-jewish-woman.