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Hello, gorgeous, take two.
Now, in a death blow to those of us hopingGleecouldnt predict the future, Michele has followed suit.
The handling of Feldsteins departure has reportedly been …contentious.
Michele has been accused of alleged mistreatment of Black cast members onGlee.
Theres been subtle Instagram shade, expected and unexpected backlash, and behind-the-scenes drama thats still unfolding.
Its all kind of a mess.
So how did we get here?
Well, the story iskind of long and full of suspense.
Strap in because were doing a full-fledged timeline.
Because of it, Streisand goes on to a long and illustrious career.
As she latertells Seth Meyers, it wasFunny Girlthemed.
It is the firstFunny Girlproduction of note since the show closed on Broadway.
Director Sammy BayestellsPlaybill, A lot of actresses venture to do Fanny Brice by going through Barbra Streisand.
But this is Miss Deborah Gibson, and its got to beherFanny Brice, from her point of view.
Gibson herself says, I love and admire Barbra Streisand enormously, but Im not intimidated.
I know Im right for this role.
November 26, 1996Two months later, the show is hemorrhaging.Playbillreportsthat there is a seven-week span without booked shows.
Broadway is no longer in the picture.
The message is clear: This part still belongs to Streisand.
December 11, 2006Spring Awakeningpremieres on Broadway.
The show is a rock musical based on Frank Wedekinds original play about the sexual repression of German teens.
Her notices are good.
The show goes on to win Best Musical at the Tony Awards, though Michele is not nominated.
The popularity of the show catapults Michele to new stardom.
The show is almostinstantly a successwhen it debuts the next fall.
A mini-Streisand is born.
The revival is announced to be opening in 2011, and Michele is on the list of potential leads.
June 13, 2010At the 64th Annual Tony Awards, Micheleperforms Dont Rain on My Paradeas part of aGleesegment.
The audience includes Beyonce and Jay-Z, whom Michele directly sings to and who are only slightly amused.
August 2, 2011It is reported byPlaybillthatSix Feet Understar Lauren Ambrose is in talks to be in the production.
November 7, 2011The Ambrose production is canceled.
(But dont feel too bad for her shell get her golden-age starring momentbefore the decade is up.)
October 3, 2013Rachel is cast inFunny Girl.
April 22, 2014Over inGlee-land, Rachel opensFunny Girlon Broadwayto rave reviews.
Right now, were just sort of testing the waters with different people, says Murphy.
October 26, 2015Murphy says its not gonna happen.
We had talked about it for sure, Murphy says at aGleepanelwithEntertainment Weekly.
But we never got to see Lea Michelefumbling on roller skates,Ryan Murphy!
November 20, 2015A production ofFunny Girlstarring Sheridan Smithopens in Londonand goes to the West End.
It notably has a revised book by Harvey Fierstein.
March 20, 2015TheGleeseries finale airs.
The once-mighty Queen of Buzz is now put out to pasture without much second thought.
It is considered almost universally true thatGleegot bad.
April 26, 2017Two years later, Michele goesonWatch What Happens Livetopromote her album.
Feldstein is also starring inHello, Dolly!with Bette Midler on Broadway.
June 2, 2020Glee-era controversycomes to the surfacefor Michele.
June 3, 2020Micheleresponds to the controversywith a strong non-apology apology.
What matters is that I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people.
August 11, 2021Feldstein is officially cast inFunny Girl.
Even after the controversy, Michele is so strongly associated with the role that shetrends on Twitter.
I didnt know that any of this was happening, by the way, she tells Cohen.
All of a sudden people started explaining it to me, and I was like, What?Like … Then Feldstein says, I dont know the woman whatsoever.
It is universally panned, and Feldstein receives the harshest critiques.
In song after song, Feldsteins voice lets her down.
Many wonder whatMichelethinks ofthe reviews.
Reasons why are not given, but it is not uncommon for stars on Broadway to have limited runs.
Rumorsbegin to circulatethat Michele will be the replacement, though the official company does not confirm.
July 10, 2022Feldstein announceson social mediashe will be leavingFunny Girlearly; her final performance will be July 31.
Before Feldshuh joins Michele on September 6, Mrs. Brice will be played by Lynchs current standby Liz McCartney.
Im so glad shes getting the opportunity in real life to do the show and not just onGlee.
Why is she leaving early?
September 6, 2022Micheledebuts as Fanny inFunny Girlon Broadway.
Still, Michele has fulfilled not only her own dream but Rachels as well.
Dont Rain on My Parade has made it from the Glee clubs sectionals to the Broadway stage.
Due to productions safety protocols Im not allowed to perform for todays shows, Michele writes.
Julie is going to crush it today as Fanny.
She dueted a parodyvideoof her performance for Dont Rain On My Parade in her first-ever Tik Tok.
With the extension, Michele will have been playing the role for just three days short of a year.
But even once its closed, we will still have thecavalcadeoftalk-showappearancesMichele has madein her yearin the role.
This post has been updated.
