The Emmy-winning Glee star will make her Broadway debut taking on the role of evil orphanage matron Miss Hannigan this spring in the Broadway production of Annie, currently playing at the Palace. Jane Lynch is stepping in for Katie Finneran, the original actor in the role, who is taking time off to shoot NBC’s new Michael J. Fox comedy series, which has a 22-episode order for a fall 2013 launch.
It hasn’t been determined when Finneran is leaving; the Sony Pictures TV series already has shot its pilot and the show is being done out of NY but no schedule has been set. Lynch, whose stage experience includes a turn with Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Second City, is set in the role from May 16-July 14. Finneran, a two-time Tony winner, starred on Fox’s sitcom I Hate My Teenage Daughter and landed the co-starring role in the Michael J. Fox sitcom last month, playing Fox’s narcissistic, single and jobless sister. The series is inspired by Fox’s real life and stars him as Mike Burnaby, a husband and father of three in New York City juggling the challenges of family and career while dealing with Parkinson’s disease. A former lead anchor for a local station in NY, Mike decides to go back to work after a new medication helps him manage the effects of his illness. Said Finneran: “I am so grateful to them for making it possible for me to begin filming the series this summer, and I can’t wait to come back and see the goddess Jane Lynch bring down the house at the Palace”.


Lynch can only play one character. No range whatsoever. Terrible choice.
Actually, this role calls for a “mean, snarky bitch,” which is obviously the only thing Jane can play with at least minimal competancy.
Love Katie Finneran, and have since “Wonderfalls.” That Fox (network) comedy was a bust, but I am hoping the Michael J Fox pilot is a better fit for her.
Agreed!
I met her parents one day here at a NYC Starbucks.
The place was very crowded, and I was seated alone, and I saw this older couple looking for a seat, so I told them they could join me. We chatted a bit, and they had off-handedly mentioned their daughter was an actress. I said, “Oh, who is she, perhaps I know her work.” They said, “Well, she’s done Broadway but no TV that’s really taken off.” They told me her name, and in that moment I couldn’t quite place it, but I told them, “I’m pretty sure she was in a show I love, b/c I know her name…” They just nodded politely. About 5 mins after they left it dawned on me: Wonderfalls!
And she was so brilliant in that show.
I wish all and any success possible for Katie Finneran (who was great in Teenage Daughter). I owe her a lot with her pregnancy in 2010: she left Promises, Promises which led to Molly Shannon being on the show which led to me meeting one of my all time favorites. Far fetched I know, but I will forever be grateful to her for getting knocked up.
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