Lea Michele tests positive for COVID; out of 'Funny Girl' until Sept. 20

Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Glee alumna Lea Michele has tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss numerous performances of her Broadway musical, Funny Girl.

"I'm devastated to say that due to early signs and symptoms of Covid and an inconclusive test result - due to the production's safety protocols I'm not allowed to perform today's shows," Michele, 36, wrote on her Instagram Story Saturday.

"I will be testing again and will know more about tomorrow's performance soon," she added. "Julie is going to crush it today as Fanny - as are all of our amazing understudies who have stepped up so incredibly this week while we battle a very intense Covid outbreak in our theater."

The actress took over the role of Fanny Brice in the revival Tuesday.

She is expected to return to the show on Sept. 20, according to the musical's Twitter feed.

Julie Benko will play the role until then. Tovah Feldshuh, Ramin Karimloo and Jared Grimes co-star.

The revival opened in late April to mixed reviews with Beanie Feldstein playing Fanny. She left the role in July and Benko played the character until Lea Michele took over.

Lea Michele, who made a spectacular debut as Fanny Brice on Tuesday, has just tested positive for COVID and due to current Broadway protocols, will return on Tuesday, September 20th. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Suo9prG47n— Funny Girl on Broadway (@FunnyGirlBwy) September 11, 2022

 

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