Lea Michele as Fanny Brice inFunny Girl.Photo: Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Lea Michele’sacclaimed turn as Fannie Brice in the Broadway’s revival ofFunny Girlis being preserved in a big way.
The actress, along with her fellow castmates, stepped away from the stage and into the studio to recorded a new album of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill’s legendary score on Sony Masterworks Broadway — the first new Broadway cast recording since the original cast album that featured Barbra Streisand back in 1964.
Dropping on digital just after midnight Friday, theFunny Girl New Broadway Cast Recordingwill feature hits like “People,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” “The Music That Makes Me Dance” and of course, “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
A physical CD is set for release on Jan. 20, 2023 andavailable for preorder beginning Friday.
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.
Michele first revealed the news of the album afterFunny Girl’s evening performance on Wednesday, telling the audience at the August Wilson Theatre how excited she was for them to hear it.
“We have a little secret that we want to let you all in on. We’re all so so proud to announce that we are going to be releasing our original cast Broadway album,” said Michele, in a speech that was also streamed on Instagram Live. “Everyone here who is working so incredibly hard every single night also worked so hard in the studio to make such an incredible album that I heard. And as the biggestFunny Girlfan my entire life, I’m so proud of it. It is so, so, so great.”
TheTodayshow later dropped the news of the Friday release date, as well as a First Look video of Michele recording the show-stopping “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
Aside from Michele,Funny Girlalso stars Ramin Karimloo (as Nick Arnstein), Jared Grimes (as Eddie Ryan), and Tovah Feldshuh (as Mrs. Rosie Brice).
MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Michele debuted as Fanny Brice in September following a 13-year absence from the Broadway stage. She notablyreceived four standing ovationsbefore the end of act 1 and another two in the second act.
Cheering her on was an electric crowd of friends and fans alike — from her best friendJonathan Groff, to their fellowSpring Awakeningcostars John Gallagher Jr. and Gideon Glick. Drew Barrymore was also in attendance, as wasZachary Quinto,Lee Pace, Tony winnerHarvey Fierstein, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and prolific producerRyan Murphy, who worked with Michele inGleeandScream Queens.
Ahead of her first performance, the actress told PEOPLE that she was excited to have some of her friends and family supporting her in the crowd. “I know Jon [Groff] and John [Gallagher Jr.] are going to be there,” she said. “So I have all of my people. It’s wonderful.”
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
The actress went on to note that herSpring Awakeninggroup chat was filled with nothing but well wishes upon the news thatshe’d be stepping into the revivalfollowing original starBeanie Feldstein’s exit in July.
“Everyone is so incredibly supportive,” she said of herSpring Awakeningcast members. “I mean, literally, it’s just a constant support for all of us.”
As for any speculation ofbehind-the-scenes dramaaround the casting decision between Michele and Feldstein, Michele insisted to PEOPLE it’s not true. “I saw the show. I wrote her and told her what an incredible job I thought that she did,” Michele said. “I think that everybody just thinks everything is so drama-filled. I also think that people really love the excitement of pitting women against each other, which I think is really sad and unfortunate.”
For tickets toFunny Girl, visitFunnyGirlonBroadway.com.
source: people.com
