"Funny Girl" revival recoups its $16.5 M investment

[Ali Gator]

To think just 13 months ago, the highly anticipated Broadway revival of "Funny Girl" - its first Broadway revival since its original run in 1964 starring Barbra Streisand - was on shaky ground, many predicting it would be closing within days.  Since its April 24, 2022 opening (Streisand's 80th birthday) the box office was tanking, the show got poor reviews (with its star Beanie Feldstein shouldering the weight of those bad reviews, as critics found her 'lackluster' and 'wrong' for the role), and the show was ignored by the Tonys that June (except for a supporting actor nod for actor Jared Grimes).  That same month, the news was leaking out that 'Glee' star Lea Michele was negotiating to be taking over the role in the Fall, along with Tovah Feldshuh (as her mother) replacing original Feldstein and actress Jane Lynch (LM's costar on 'GLEE').

At the end of July, Feldstein announced on social media that she was leaving at the end of the month (supposedly taking producers by surprise, as she was contracted through November). Her understudy was due to take over. Lynch announced she was leaving in November, when her contract was up. Lea Michelle announced she was taking over the role after Labor Day weekend, and then Jane Lynch announced she was leaving before LM was to arrive. With the announcement of LM joining the show, the box office surged...and surged...and surged.

Lea Michelle and Tovah Feldshuh took over their respective roles the night after Labor Day last year. The critics came out in full force, and gave the 'new stars' and the show itself 'rave reviews'. They wondered why these two didn't open the show back in April - they would've been sure bets for Tonys (as would the revival itself). They brought new life and a new spin to the show. 

Insiders wondered how long the box office surge would continue - would it last past the Thanksgiving - Christmas - New Years holidays ? While other new shows were opening and closing in weeks, and others were struggling to stay afloat - 'Funny Girl' continued to soar through the winter months and through the spring, grossing over $1M each week. The only time the box office dipped was when LM was on vacation. The "Funny Girl" revival with LM was setting box office records at The August Wilson Theater. The week ending January 1, 2023 the box office pulled in its best numbers for an 8 performance week - $2.4 M, breaking previous records LM was setting.  

It was announced in the Spring the show would be closing on September 3, when LM's contract expires. (They weren't looking to replace her). This week, the producers announced the revival - once on the brink of an early closing - had recouped its investment of $16.5 Million dollars, making investors very happy. For the next few weeks, the show will be pulling in profits for those investors. When the show closes, it would have put on 599 performances and 30 previews. A national tour (with singer Melissa Manchester as 'Mrs Bryce') kicks off in the fall.

 

What a difference an actress makes ! 

 

 

[Marc in Calif]

On 8/11/2023 at 5:32 PM, Ali Gator said:

What a difference an actress makes ! 

And most importantly, an accomplished SINGER! 👏

[Ali Gator]

They really should have recognized LM in some way at this year's Tonys for reviving this musical which was on life-support a year ago. She deserved some special award - along with Tovah.