Former Understudy Lainie Kazan Says It Took ‘60 Years to Understand’ Why Barbra Streisand Didn’t Want Her Performing “Funny Girl ”Role

Lainie Kazan has recently shared insights into her time as an understudy for Barbra Streisand in the iconic Broadway musical “Funny Girl.” Speaking on the podcast “That’s Classic!” hosted by John Cato, the actress recalled the unique challenges she faced during her tenure in the production, which premiered in 1964.

At the age of 24, Kazan stepped into the role of Streisand’s understudy for the character of Fanny Brice. Despite being in the show for a year and a half, she did not perform on stage until much later. “Believe it or not, I didn’t go on for a year and a half,” she revealed. When she did finally take to the stage, it was for two performances in a single day. Reflecting on the experience, Kazan noted it was a “really, really difficult job.”

Throughout this period, Kazan found herself in a steep learning curve. “First of all, I learned so much,” she explained, citing her experiences as an extraordinary opportunity filled with valuable lessons. She highlighted important takeaways such as singing techniques, the dynamics of control within performances, and effective communication with producers and directors.

When discussing her relationship with Streisand, now 83, Kazan candidly stated, “Not very warm or good.” However, she has since gained a deeper understanding of the complexities underlying their interactions. “We were both so young and so inexperienced,” she reflected. “We were struggling for our self-knowledge… We wanted to be the best at it and we’re both very much perfectionists.”

Interestingly, both Kazan and Streisand are alumni of Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School, although their paths had not really crossed during those formative years. Kazan reminisced, suggesting she may have encountered Streisand on occasion but did not know her personally.

The question of why she waited so long to perform in the iconic role was addressed as well. Kazan attributed it to Streisand’s professionalism and her commitment to perform regardless of her own circumstances. “It was her role, her costumes, her part, and she didn’t want to share it,” Kazan said. “I understand. I do. It took me 60 years to understand it, but I do.”

“Funny Girl” has long been associated with Streisand, who received significant acclaim for her performance. After its Broadway run, she starred in the film adaptation of the show in 1968, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. The success of “Funny Girl” was both a blessing and a source of anxiety for Streisand, as she expressed in a 2025 interview with New York Magazine, where she discussed feeling “trapped” by her role and the pressure of performing the same role nightly.

Kazan’s own career trajectory was distinct, having made her Broadway debut with productions like “The Happiest Girl in the World” in 1961 and “Bravo Giovanni” in 1962. Despite her early successes, she did not return to the Broadway stage until 1992 with “My Favorite Year,” which earned her a nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Kazan’s subsequent performances included “The Government Inspector” in 1994.

The narrative of “Funny Girl” revolves around the life of Fanny Brice, particularly her relationship with Nicky Arnstein, and the musical has experienced revivals over the years, including a successful production in 2022 featuring Beanie Feldstein and later Lea Michele.

Kazan is widely recognised for her role as Maria Portokalos in the beloved film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and has reprised this character in both sequels, further solidifying her standing in the industry. As she continues to reflect on her career and experiences within the theatre world, Kazan offers valuable perspectives that shed light on the intense pressures and profound learning opportunities that come from performing on Broadway.