To paraphrase Oda Mae Brown in Ghost, Lauren Ambrose, girl, you in trouble.
Now that it’s official Ambrose (Six Feet Under) will be inheriting the mantle of Barbra in the Broadway-bound revival of Funny Girl, all we can think of is that Rachel Berry Lea Michele is gonna take out a hit on the poor girl. No, seriously—cut-brake-cables, toaster-in- the-bathtub-type shit.
When the revival was announced earlier this year Lea seemed like a shoo-in: She’s got the pipes, the Semitic good looks, the Broadway chops—heck, she practically auditioned for the role at the Tony Awards last year. When Ryan Murphy announced Michele would be leaving at the end of next season, it seemed like all but a done deal. Maybe Michele’s alleged diva antics soured producers on the Spring Awakening star?
Ambrose is no newcomer to the stage, though: She’s previously appeared on Broadway in Awake and Sing! and Exit the King and starred in the Shakespeare in the Park productions of Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet. She’s start the role at L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre on January 14 before the show heads east for a spring 2012 Broadway debut.
“Let’s face it, there is obviously more than a lot to live up to playing Fanny Brice, but I am humbled and thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of this revival,” says Ambrose. “The character is complex, the music beautiful and challenging. I can’t wait to get into that rehearsal room with the team [director] Bart [Scherr] is assembling. I wish we could start tomorrow!”
Lauren sweetie, might we suggest you hire someone to start your car for you?
Would you have chosen a different starlet to take on Fanny Brice? Tell us your pick in the comments!
