Could Lea Michele Pull Off ‘Funny Girl’?

There’s been talk of that casting possibility, but one of Lea’s co-stars is on the fence about the subject. “Maybe someday,” Glee’s Darren Criss told The Hollywood Reporter when asked if Michele could take on the role that Streisand played in 1968. “Lea has many years ahead of her. She’s very young and has all the time in the world.”
Streisand was 26 years old when she played the lead in the film adaptation of the Broadway production, which she also starred in. She later won the Academy Award for the performance. Michele is 24.

Unlike Criss, Glee guest Chenoweth has faith that the Fox series star can tackle the role of comedienne Fannie Brice on a moment’s notice. “I think that girl can do anything she wants to do,” she said on the red carpet at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala Saturday. “Not only is Lea a delightful person, but she’s a good singer and that’s what’s required. Anything she wants in life she should have because she deserves it.”

Of course, the best comment on the Glee-Streisand connection came from Streisand herself. After being presented with the Person of the Year honor at Musicares, she remarked, “My niece recently watched a DVD of Funny Girl for the first time and asked why I was singing songs from Glee.”