Reader TTS

Jane Lynch is looking forward to Lea Michele's version of _Funny Girl_. After star Beanie Feldstein revealed Sunday that she'd be leaving the Broadway musical revival earlier than

expected, the _Funny Girl_ production announced Monday that her replacement as Fanny Brice would be Michele. Additionally, Lynch's role as Brice's mom will soon be filled by Tovah

Feldshuh. Michele has a previous connection to _Funny Girl_. Not only has she been outspoken about her love for Barbra Streisand — who originated the role in 1964 — but her _Glee_ character

Rachel Berry played the role of Brice in a fictional revival of the show, singing many of the musical's iconic songs on the Fox series including "Don't Rain on My

Parade." In an interview with Deadline Tuesday about her outstanding guest actress in a comedy Emmy nomination for _Only Murders in the Building_, Lynch, 61, addressed the casting news.

She said she and her former _Glee_ costar "have been in touch about it." "You know, it was just a really strong idea to have Feldshuh and Lea premiere together. That's

the only reason [we won't appear together]. I adore her," she said of Michele. "She's just going to take this show and make it her own." Added Lynch, "I'm

so glad she's getting the opportunity in real life to do the show and not just on _Glee._" _NEVER MISS A STORY — SIGN UP FOR _PEOPLE_'S FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER__ TO STAY

UP-TO-DATE ON THE BEST OF WHAT PEOPLE HAS TO OFFER, FROM JUICY CELEBRITY NEWS TO COMPELLING HUMAN INTEREST STORIES._ On Instagram, Michele, 35, shared her excitement in joining the musical

this fall: "A dream come true is an understatement. I'm so incredibly honored to join this amazing cast and production and return to the stage playing Fanny Brice on Broadway. See

you September 6th." Additionally, Feldshuh wrote, "Thrilled to be with the brilliant deserving Lea Michele in this new journey!" Feldstein, 29, opened the revival back in

April and announced in June that she would be leaving the show on Sept. 25, but revealed on Instagram Sunday night that she would be departing early after "the production decided to

take the show in a different direction." Her final performance will now be on July 31. "Playing Fanny Brice on Broadway has been a lifelong dream of mine, and doing so for the last

few months has been a great joy and true honor," wrote Feldstein. "Once the production decided to take the show in a different direction, I made the extremely difficult decision

to step away sooner than anticipated. I will never forget this experience and from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every single person who came to the August Wilson for the love and

support you have shown me and our amazing cast and crew." "The people I have had the great joy of bringing _Funny Girl_ to life with every night, both on and off the stage, are all

remarkably talented and exceptional humans and I hope you continue to join them on Henry Street after I depart on July 31st."