Julie Benko Amazes Audiences with Talented Performance in Funny Girl

Julie Benko overshadows backstage drama with her amazing performance as Fanny Brice in the first revival of Funny Girl on Broadway.

If you’re familiar with the film adaptation of Funny Girl, starring powerhouse Barbara Streisand, you will be thrilled to hear about its revitalization on Broadway. 

When production began Beanie Feldstein (Booksmart) first starred in the iconic lead role, Fanny Brice. Due to behind-the-scenes conflict, Feldstein declared she would be leaving the production earlier than expected. As the role of Fanny Brice opened, Lea Michele (Glee) was announced to replace Feldstein. More drama ensued as complaints of her past on-set behavior resurfaced. 

In the face of all conflict, former standby Julie Benko stepped into the lead in Feldstein’s absence. She was expected to perform as Fanny Brice for five weeks before Michele takes her place on September 6. 

Benko took to Instagram to celebrate achieving the lead role. In her post, She dedicated her achievement to aspiring performers who were going through the same struggles and rejections she went through. She declares that “To me, this is a moment to celebrate all the folks out there sweating off their lil tuchuses in summer stock for EMC points, or trying to nail down their partner to rehearse for scene study, or filming their gazillionth EPA self-tape wondering if anybody is ever even going to see it… sometimes, all that work aligns in surprising ways, and you get to do the thing you love most in the world on a scale you hadn’t really imagined.”

Benko compares herself to the narrative of A Star is Born. Just as Brice went from being virtually unknown to rising in stardom, Julie Benko has received notoriety and praise for her vocal performance and interpretation of the lead role. 

julie benko is about to live the dream. playing the leading role in a broadway show once every week? without feeling completely and utterly exhausted? that’s what everyone should strive for!

— Grace Walker (@GraceWalkerrr) September 3, 2022

#FunnyGirl. Hello Gorgeous. Julie Benko and the entire cast are extremely talented. I highly recommend the show. #ShabbatShalom pic.twitter.com/aaFNkjUfv2

— Beth Phillips (@bethsphillips) August 26, 2022

There were no doubts about Benko’s abilities as a performer when a Facebook post went viral revealing her experienced singing ability. She belted the musical number “Don’t Rain On My Parade” showcasing her bombastic and joyous vocals.

Even though audiences believe she’s perfect for the role, Benko had doubted herself before getting the gig. When auditioning, Benko remembers believing, “ ‘There’s no way I’m going to get this role.’ “ Luckily, she was able to relax into her comedic self and gave an impressive audition.

What’s interesting about Benko’s audition was that she wasn’t very familiar with the popular musical Funny Girl. Huffington Post reports she had only seen the 1986 film adaptation once. Instead, her research on the character came from Brice’s real-life journals to enhance the believability of her performance. Thus, Julie Benko gives a refreshing take on the character without imitating previous actresses.

Benko’s skill in performance arts is unmatched, as seen in her long resume of achievements. She has been awarded the Wilde Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance as Girl in Once. She has won many more accolades related to her powerful vocal performances such as the Gold Medal and Johnny Mercer Award in the national American Traditions Vocal Competition. The list goes on.

The broadway star has also used her skillset when collaborating with her husband in duet musical projects. During the pandemic, she raised money for various charities from her “Quarantunes musical” with her jazz pianist spouse, Jason Yeager.

In the couple’s latest project, they have released a new album called Hand In Hand revealing soothing jazz vocals and instrumental arrangements.

As Lea Michele takes over as the next Fanny Brice, Benko will begin playing the lead role on Thursday evenings starting on September 8.

Fans of Funny Girl shouldn’t miss the chance of a lifetime to see Julie Benko’s golden performance as Fanny Brice. Click here to get tickets to her latest performance now. In the meantime, fans can check out Benko and Yeager’s single “Louisiana Fairy Tale” from the Hand In Hand album below.