Lea Michele’s acclaimed turn as Fannie Brice in the Broadway’s revival of_Funny Girl_ is being preserved in a big way.
The actress, along with her fellow castmates, stepped away from the stage andinto the studio to recorded a new album of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill’slegendary score on Sony Masterworks Broadway — the first new Broadway castrecording since the original cast album that featured Barbra Streisand back in1964.
Dropping on digital just after midnight Friday, the Funny Girl New BroadwayCast Recording will feature hits like “People,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” “TheMusic That Makes Me Dance” and of course, “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
A physical CD is set for release on Jan. 20, 2023 and available for preorderbeginning Friday.
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Michele first revealed the news of the album after Funny Girl ‘s evening> performance on Wednesday, telling the audience at the August Wilson Theater> how excited she was for them to hear it.
“We have a little secret that we want to let you all in on. We’re all so soproud to announce that we are going to be releasing our original cast Broadwayalbum,” said Michele, in a speech that was also streamed on InstagramLive.”Everyone here who is working so incredibly hard every single night alsoworked so hard in the studio to make such an incredible album that I heard.And as the biggest Funny Girl fan my entire life, I’m so proud of it. It’sso, so, so great.”
The Today show later dropped the news of the Friday release date, as well asa First Look video of Michele recording the show-stopping “Don’t Rain on MyParade.”
RELATED: Lea Michele and Darren Criss Have Glee Reunion at Broadways_Funny Girl_
Aside from Michele, Funny Girl also stars Ramin Karimloo (as Nick Arnstein),Jared Grimes (as Eddie Ryan), and Tovah Feldshuh (as Mrs. Rosie Brice).
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They are joined by Peter Francis James (as Florenz Ziegfeld), Ephie Aardma (asEmma/Mrs. Nadler), Debra Cardona (as Mrs. Meeker), Toni DiBuono (as Mrs.Strakosh), Martin Moran (as Tom Keeney), and an acting company that includesMiriam Ali, Amber Ardolino, Daniel Beeman, Colin Bradbury, Kurt Csolak, JohnMichael Fiumara, Leslie Donna Flesner, Afra Hines, Masumi Iwai, Aliah James,Jeremiah James, Danielle Kelsey, Stephen Mark Lukas, Alicia Lundgren , JohnManzari, Liz McCartney, Connor McRory Katie Mitchell, Justin Prescott, MariahReives, Barbara Tirrell, Leslie Blake Walker, and “Fanny Brice” alternateJulie Benko, who performs the role every Thursday.
The album is produced by David Caddick and David Lai, and co-produced by SoniaFriedman, Scott Landis, David Babani, Michael Mayer, Brian Gillet, HuckWalton, Sean Keller and Marc Levine.
Lea Michele and the cast of Broadway’s Funny Girl perform on Good MorningAmerica at Times Square in New York City ‘Good Morning America’ TV show, NewYork, USA – 07 Oct 2022
MediaPunch/Shutterstock
RELATED: Lea Michele Receives 4 Standing Ovations Before Intermission at HerFirst Performance of Funny Girl
Michele debuted as Fanny Brice in September following a 13-year absence fromthe Broadway stage. She notably received four standing ovations before the endof act 1 and another two in the second act.
Cheering her on was an electric crowd of friends and fans alike — from herbest friend Jonathan Groff, to their fellow Spring Awakening costars JohnGallagher Jr. and Gideon Glick. Drew Barrymore was also in attendance, as wasZachary Quinto, Lee Pace, Tony winner Harvey Fierstein, New York Gov. KathyHochul and prolific producer Ryan Murphy, who worked with Michele in Glee_and _Scream Queens.
Ahead of her first performance, the actress told PEOPLE that she was excitedto have some of her friends and family supporting her in the crowd. “I knowJon [Groff] and John [Gallagher Jr.] are going to be there,” she said. “So Ihave all of my people. It’s wonderful.”
Michele as “Fanny Brice” and Tovah Feldshuh as “Mrs. Brice” take their firstcurtain call in “Funny Girl” on Broadway at The August Wilson Theater onSeptember 6, 2022 in New York City.
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
The actress went on to note that her Spring Awakening group chat was filledwith nothing but well wishes upon the news that she’d be stepping into therevival following original star Beanie Feldstein’s exit in July.
“Everyone is so incredibly supportive,” she said of her _Spring Awakening_cast member. “I mean, literally, it’s just a constant support for all of us.”
As for any speculation of behind-the-scenes drama around the casting decisionbetween Michele and Feldstein, Michele insisted to PEOPLE it’s not true. “Isaw the show. I wrote her and told her what an incredible job I thought thatshe did,” Michele said. “I think that everybody just thinks everything is sodrama-filled. I also think that people really love the excitement of pittingwomen against each other, which I think is really sad and unfortunate.”