The revival of the beloved Broadway musical Funny Girl is set to close on August 28, 2022 after just over 4 months on Broadway. The production, starring Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice, first opened at the August Wilson Theatre on April 24, 2022. However, despite the star power and brand name recognition, Funny Girl failed to find an audience and will be shuttering much earlier than expected.
There are a few key factors that led to the early closure of this high-profile revival:
Underwhelming ticket sales
Funny Girl struggled at the box office from the beginning. In its first week of previews, it only grossed $1.1 million, significantly less than is typically expected for a big-budget musical. Once reviews came in, sales did not notably improve. It became clear that audiences were not turning out in the numbers needed to financially sustain an expensive production with a large theatre to fill.
Mixed critical reviews
Reviews for Funny Girl were decidedly mixed. Though some critics praised elements of the production, the overall consensus was that this revival failed to live up to the magic of the original. Many reviews singled out lead actress Beanie Feldstein, opining that she was miscast as Fanny Brice. Without a star performance anchoring the show, the production floundered.
Limited buzz and marketing challenges
Part of the problem was that this revival failed to generate the kind of buzz and excitement producers were counting on. With mediocre reviews and no word of mouth momentum, the show did not become a hot ticket. Producers also likely miscalculated how much interest there was in a revival of this mid-20th century musical. The marketing did not successfully convey how and why this production of Funny Girl would resonate with modern audiences.
Beanie Feldstein’s Departure and Replacement
In July 2022, Beanie Feldstein announced that she would be leaving the production on September 25, 2022, much earlier than her initial contract. Her early departure exacerbated the challenges for the already struggling show.
Why Feldstein Exited Early
Feldstein said she was leaving to film a new project and had always intended to depart earlier. However, many speculated that harsh reviews and slowing ticket sales contributed to her early exit. With producers struggling to sell tickets, it made sense for Feldstein to move on rather than stay with a sinking ship.
Replacement with Lea Michele
In an unusual move, producers announced Feldstein’s replacement before she had even left the show. Glee star Lea Michele was named the new Fanny Brice, generating headlines but also controversy. Michele has been embroiled in allegations around bullying and racist microaggressions. However, producers likely saw her as their best shot at reviving interest.
Michele’s Box Office Impact
In the first full week after Michele took over the role, ticket sales did see an uptick. Funny Girl grossed $1.6 million, up from just $844,214 the week prior. However, it wasn’t enough to salvage the show long-term. Producers had hoped Michele would generate more sustained interest. With her 11-week run set to end on September 25th, there was not enough of a Michele boost to warrant keeping Funny Girl open.
Financial Losses
With low ticket sales week after week, it became financially untenable to continue running the show. Broadway shows have extremely high weekly operating costs, with expenses like theatre rentals, union labor, marketing and more. Investors were likely facing major losses, with no signs of turnaround on the horizon.
Week Ending | Gross | Attendance |
---|---|---|
April 24, 2022 (first preview) | $855,237 | 76% |
May 1, 2022 (opening night) | $1,289,881 | 81% |
July 10, 2022 | $844,214 | 62% |
July 17, 2022 (with Michele) | $1,626,335 | 87% |
As evidenced in this table, grosses remained below 50% of the show’s $1,586,614 potential most weeks. With losses piling up and no uptick in sight, closing became the prudent financial decision. Investors did not want to continue pouring money into the production without seeing a return.
What Closing Means for Broadway
The early closure of Funny Girl has some bigger implications for Broadway beyond just this one production:
Risks of Revivals
Funny Girl shows how difficult it can be to successfully revive older musicals, especially lesser-known ones. Audiences are not necessarily interested in just the name recognition. Quality and marketing matter more.
Challenges of Casting
This demonstrates the risks for shows that depend heavily on the star casting being a box office draw. When the lead performance falls flat, it can sink the whole show.
Importance of Reviews
The tepid critical response clearly dampened interest in Funny Girl. Hype and marketing alone cannot overcome bad word of mouth.
Broadway’s Post-COVID Recovery Ongoing
As Broadway struggles to rebound post-pandemic, risky ventures face an uphill battle. Audiences are being selective, and failures are magnified in the current climate.
Could Anything Have Saved Funny Girl?
In retrospect, a few factors may have made a difference in extending the run of Funny Girl:
Casting an Established Star as Fanny Brice
The show likely demanded a big celebrity name in the lead role. Producers took a risk with an up-and-comer like Beanie Feldstein, and it backfired.
Stellar Reviews
Unanimous rave reviews praising all aspects of the production may have generated the enthusiasm and sustained ticket sales the show needed. But mixed notices sunk it.
Capitalizing on Nostalgia and Familiarity
Producers leaned too heavily on name recognition alone. Better marketing focused on the emotional resonance and highlight songs audiences know and love may have brought in bigger crowds.
Stronger Social Media Buzz
Viral marketing and content that got audiences engaged and excited online was lacking. More digital word of mouth may have translated to tickets.
Conclusion
The 2022 revival of Funny Girl unfortunately failed to capture the magic that made the original 1964 production a hit. Disappointing reviews, low ticket sales, and a miscast lead sunk the ambitious production. While bringing in a big star like Lea Michele gave it a small boost, it was too little too late. The early closing represents the challenges Broadway faces attracting audiences post-pandemic. Ultimately Funny Girl serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of reviving lesser-known shows without the right elements in place to drive ticket sales and interest.