Before the intermission of her first "Funny Girl" performance, Lea Michele receives four standing ovations.

Jonathan Groff, the actress's closest friend, was also there during her debut performance at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway.

The 36-year-old actress triumphantly returned to the stage after a 13-year break

by taking on the role of Fanny Brice in the musical revival, which is now playing at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City.

An enthusiastic group of friends and admirers cheered her

Actor Zachary Quinto, Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were also there.

In fact, the audience was so enthralled with Michele that she was given four standing ovations before Act 1 came to a close,

including one after the show's anthem, "Don't Rain on My Parade." In the second act of the play, there were two more.

At intermission, the audience members were crowded the aisles raving about Michele's singing, her humorous timing, and the general energy in the room.

As he made his way back to his seat, Fierstein, who pounded up the musical's book, said to a friend, "I haven't had a night like this at the theater in years."