Lea Michele Takes Final Broadway Bow As Funny Girl

Lea Michele, once known mainly for her role as Rachel Berry on Glee, has become a Broadway legend through Funny Girl.

And now the actress, 37, has taken time to share her emotions about her final appearance on Broadway in that role.

Find out what Lea shared about her passion for the role. And learn what the actress revealed on social media. Get all the details below.

Lea Michele – Gives Encore In Funny Girl

For all her years on Glee, Lea Michele’s character (and the actress herself) adored Funny Girl. And then Lea’s dream came true with the lead role in the Broadway show.

But the actress just took her final bow in Funny Girl on Broadway, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

However, when the show began, Beanie Feldstein starred as Fanny Brice. But after Feldstein exited, Lea turned Funny Girl into a hit.

And at the final show, Michele earned seven standing ovations.

But at the end, Lea offered an encore. And, just like Barbra Streisand in the film version of Funny Girl, the actress crooned “My Man” to shrieks of applause.

After her performance, Michele gave a speech to the audience about what the role meant to her.

Lea Michele pens letter to fans ahead of her final performance as Fanny Brice in Broadway’s 'Funny Girl':

"Thank you for all the love and support. This was truly the most extraordinary year and chapter of my life. I cannot wait for what's next. ❤️" pic.twitter.com/tRfYRx12F0

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 3, 2023

Lea Michele – Shares Her ‘Dream Come True’

After her last song, Lea talked to the audience about what it all meant to her. And she shared, “That was my dream come true.” But then Michele added, “I was truly given the greatest gift that surpassed this dream. And that was the unconditional true love and support from this cast, who has worked so, so, so hard.”

The actress expressed appreciation to the cast and crew for embracing her “with open arms the minute I came in.” And on social media, Lea reflected on her joy in achieving “the role of a lifetime. Thank you for all the love and support. This was truly the most extraordinary year and chapter of my life. I cannot wait for what’s next.”

The actress, 37, revealed how she felt about “the honor and privilege of playing the iconic Fanny Brice on the August Wilson stage. An opportunity my younger self could have only dreamed of. And did,” shared Lea on social media via People.

Lea Michele – Reveals Her Next Project

But the actress also paid tribute to the tale of Funny Girl as well as to Fanny herself. And she admitted, “I’ve always felt a deep love and connection to this story, and to Fanny, a remarkable woman who relentlessly blazed a trail in the entertainment industry.”

Looking back on her career, the actress referred to Fanny as “continuously there serving as inspiration and motivation throughout the most pivotal corners of my life.” For example, Lea revealed that she first viewed the film adaptation of Funny Girl during her time on Spring Awakening. 

And Michele then received the opportunity to sing the songs on Glee as Rachel Berry. But the actress also recalled the thrill of “performing in front of Barbra Streisand at Music Cares.” And she remembered “holding my newborn son in my arms when I learned this spectacular show would be returning to Broadway.” Lea also recalled “sitting in the audience for the first time, completely unsure of what the next few months of my life would become.”

But Lea has not yet revealed what the future holds. However, the Funny Girl star did hint that her fans will recognize it. But her next show will represent something “very different musically,” added the Glee alum. 

Tell us what you think. What role would you like to see Lea Michele play? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more celebrity news.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com