Another Hollywood starlet will be starring in a Broadway musical next season, but Los Angeles will get the first look when Lauren Ambrose plays legendary comedienne and singer Fanny Brice in the upcoming revival of "Funny Girl." Before the beloved musical, which made an international star out of Barbra Streisand close to 50 years ago, hits the Great White Way, it will play at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles from January 15 to February 26, 2012. No theater has been announced for the New York run.
The New York Times has a nice interview with director Bartlett Sher, and points out that Ambrose was chosen over Tony winner Laura Benanti (from the 2008 “Gypsy”), Kelli O’Hara (“South Pacific”), Stephanie J. Block (“9 to 5”), Leslie Kritzer (“A Catered Affair”), and Lea Michele (“Spring Awakening,” the Fox series “Glee”). Ambrose, for her part, has received two Emmy Award nominations for her work on “Six Feet Under,” and on Broadway she also co-starred in the 2009 revival of “Exit the King.” She played Juliet and Ophelia a few years ago in Shakespeare in the Park productions of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Hamlet,” respectively. She also performs with her band, the Leisure Class.
Tickets to the Los Angeles run can be purchased at www.centertheatregroup.org, and agents will most likely be able to purchase Broadway tickets via telecharge.com.