Photo: Jenny Anderson, 2022
Lea Micheleis back on Broadway!
Ahead of the actress’sfirst performanceas Fanny Brice in the revival ofFunny Girlon Tuesday, Michele told PEOPLE about the moment she learned that she’d be returning toBroadwayfor her first time in over a decade.
At that moment, Michele said that she looked up and saw formerSpring AwakeningcostarGideon Glick.
“He saw me crying. People had been asking me [about the role], but I didn’t really know what was going to happen,” she continued. “He was like, ‘Oh my God, did you just get the part?’ And I was nodding. And so he took a picture of me on the street hysterically crying, getting the part of Fanny Brice,” she continued.
Jenny Anderson, 2022
“Gideon used to be my old roommate. And he was actually there with me when I got the call that I would be inLes Mizas well. So it was just a very full-circle moment for me.”
TheGleealum said she had multiple “mini” celebrations since she learned she’d be taking over the role of Fanny Brice, a part she played before as Rachel Berry on the Fox musical series. She also sang the musical’s show-stopping “Don’t Rain on My Parade” at the 64th Annual Tony Awards in 2010.
For more on Lea Michele, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Everyone is so incredibly supportive,” she said of her former Broadway costars. “I mean, literally, it’s just a constant support for all of us.
“When I finally signed my contract and that was done, [best friendJonathan Groff] came over, and we just popped open a bottle of champagne, and we just sat in the living room and toasted to that. But I also had a weekend where we went away together, and we celebrated.”
Groff and Glick were among the many friends who attended Michele’s first performance Tuesday night.
Also in attendance were John Gallagher Jr.,Zachary Quinto, Tony winnerHarvey Fierstein, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and prolific producerRyan Murphy, who worked with Michele inGleeandScream Queens.
The actress received four standing ovations before intermission.
Michele — and Tovah Feldshuh, who was also debuting in the production on Tuesday, as Fanny’s mother — were showered with praise again during the musical’s curtain call, each getting a bouquet of roses from their company members. Taking one another’s hands, the two actresses shared a group bow before Michele stepped center stage on her own. She made eye contact with a sobbing Groff in the audience, pointing at him and sending a smile his way before scurrying off backstage.
For more information, visitFunnyGirlonBroadway.com.
source: people.com
