Jane Lynch On the Special Connection Between Her Own Mother and Rosie Brice

Jane Lynch was the picture of a proud mother on Today April 17 when she came on to discuss the current revival of Funny Girl, set to open April 24 at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre.

When Lynch, playing Rosie Brice in the Michael Mayer-directed revival, is asked about her onstage daughter, Beanie Feldstein, and the pressure placed upon her to step into original Fanny Barbra Streisand's shoes, she was characteristically effusive. "She's the real deal. Beanie is the most confident human being I have ever met. She's magnanimous, kind, and funny. Every time she hits the stage she flickers and flares up, and it's such a delight to hear the crowd, and to peek out and look at her so firmly ensconced in the moment. She's amazing... they're Beanie Feldstein's shoes now, they're hers."

For Lynch, appearing in Funny Girl was never a goal she had set for herself, but a treasured full circle moment all the same. Her mother used to sing one of Rosie Brice's songs, "Who Taught Her Everything?," into Lynch's answering machine whenever she booked a job in her early days in show business.

"My mother and I bonded on this, and it's really the only thing we bonded on, that we saw eye to eye on. Anytime I would do well in show business, like I would get a job or guest star on a sitcom, she would leave a message on my answering machine saying 'who taught her everything she knows?.' And now I'm singing that song!"

Broadway's first-ever revival of Funny Girl began performances at the August Wilson Theatre March 26. Opening night is set for April 24. Directed by Michael Mayer, the production features a revised book by Harvey Fierstein, adapting the original book by Isobel Lennart.

Beanie Feldstein leads the cast as Fanny Brice, appearing alongside Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein, Emmy winner Jane Lynch as Mrs. Rosie Brice, and Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan.

Mayer leads a creative team that includes choreography by Ellenore Scott, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, music supervision and direction by Michael Rafter, scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Brian Ronan, and hair design by Campbell Young Associates. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger.