COVID-19: Lea Michele cancels ‘Funny Girl’ performances after testing positive

Lea Michele was forced to miss several performances of “Funny Girl” on Broadway after she tested positive for COVID-19.

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The “Glee” actress, 36, was forced to miss Saturday’s matinee and evening performances at New York City’s August Wilson Theatre, Deadline reported.

Michele, a New York native, took over the lead role of Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” on Tuesday, according to the website. She took over the role from standby Julie Benko, who had played the role since original star Beanie Feldstein left the production in July.

Benko, who stars as Fanny Brice on Thursdays, will return to the role until Michele returns, according to The Associated Press.

Michele must quarantine and is scheduled to return to the show on Sept. 20, the news organization reported.

Michele announced her cancellation on Instagram Live on Saturday, according to Deadline.

“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 wrote on her Instagram Story. “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 “Funny Girl” show confirmed the news in an Instagram statement, Entertainment Weekly reported.

“We are so thankful to the entire ‘Funny Girl’ company, including our standbys, understudies, swings and everyone working on the production for their remarkable commitment to keeping the show going and ensuring audiences have a great experience at every performance,” the show said in a statement.

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