Lea Michele Cancels ‘Funny Girl’ Performances Only Days Into Run After Covid-Like Symptoms

Michele said she was “devastated” not to perform in her leading role as Fanny Brice, but did not rule out a possible return to the stage on Sunday, depending on the results of a Covid test.

Michele, who rose to stardom on the hit show Glee, debuted as Brice on Tuesday, receiving multiple rounds of applause and widespread praise.

She was cast in the role after Bernie Feldstein abruptly departed in July—two months earlier than planned, after her performance received less-than-favorable reviews and no Tony Award nominations—and wrote on Instagram the production had “decided to take the show in a different direction.”

Michele’s understudy Julie Benko, who had been playing the role once a week on Thursdays until last week, will take over as Brice on Saturday night.

Although Michele has stated publicly she had been dreaming for years of playing Brice in Funny Girl, her casting came with some controversy, following accusations from Glee cast members, including Samantha Ware, who said that Michele made working on the show “a living hell.” Michele has since apologized for her past behavior on the show.