Funny Girl star Beanie Feldstein has come down with COVID and will be out of the show for "a little while," according to a June 6 Instagram post from the stage and screen star. Fanny standby Julie Benko confirmed on Twitter that she will be performing during Feldstein's absence.
The role will be played by standby Julie Benko in Feldstein's absence according to a tweet.
"I just found out that I tested positive for COVID, so unfortunately I'm gonna be out of the show for a little while to keep everybody safe," Feldstein shares in the video message. "I'm vaxxed and I am boosted, and I am very grateful to not be feeling too bad. I'm just really bummed to miss seeing you all at the theatre and I can't wait to get back onstage very soon."
Broadway's first-ever revival of Funny Girl officially opened at the August Wilson Theatre April 24. Directed by Michael Mayer, the production features a revised book by Harvey Fierstein, adapting the original book by Isobel Lennart.
Feldstein leads the cast as Fanny Brice, appearing alongside Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein, Emmy winner Jane Lynch as Mrs. Brice, and 2022 Tony nominee Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan.
The work, which premiered on Broadway in 1964, is a biomusical centered on Broadway and vaudeville star Fanny Brice. The original production propelled a young Barbra Streisand to international fame; she would reprise her stage performance in the 1968 film adaptation, winning an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in the process. The score, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, introduced such standards as "I'm the Greatest Star," "People," "Don't Rain On My Parade," and "The Music That Makes Me Dance."
Also in the cast are Peter Francis James as Florenz Ziegfeld, Ephie Aardema as Mrs. Nadler, Debra Cardona as Mrs. Meeker, Toni DiBuono as Mrs. Strakosh, Martin Moran as Tom Keeney, and Julie Benko as the standby for Fanny Brice.
The ensemble comprises Amber Ardolino, Daniel Beeman, Kurt Csolak, Leslie Donna Flesner, Afra Hines, Masumi Iwai, Aliah James, Stephen Mark Lukas, John Thomas Manzari, Katie Mitchell, Justin Prescott, Mariah Reives, and Leslie Blake Walker. Rounding out the company are standbys Liz McCartney and Jeremiah James, and swings Colin Bradbury, John Michael Fiumara, Danielle Kelsey, and Alicia Lundgren.
Mayer leads a creative team that includes choreography by Ellenore Scott, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, music supervision and direction by Michael Rafter, scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Brian Ronan, and hair design by Campbell Young Associates. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger.
The production also includes orchestrations by Chris Walker; dance, vocal, and incidental music arrangements by Alan Williams; additional arrangements by Carmel Dean and David Dabbon; music coordination by Seymour Red Press and Kimberlee Wertz; and vocal supervision by Liz Caplan.
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