What's next for Laura Benanti and Zachary Levi?

[Peter2]

Benanti and Levi make such a terrific stage couple--they even look great together in production stills--I would love to see them paired up again after "She Loves Me" finishes its run. My first thought--"The Music Man." I suppose Benanti might worry about being seen as a Barbara Cook stand-in, though she seems to me perfect for Marian. But Levi could, I think, be a really wonderful Harold Hill without being at all a carbon copy of Robert Preston.

What do you think? What other revivals could these two light up?

 

 

[Valentina3]

I was thinking about Laura earlier today, and I think she'd make a GREAT Phyllis in a 2030ish Follies Revival. With Sutton Foster as Sally. He's done slightly goofy roles so far, but Zachary would be an interesting Ben, if Levi can bring a mean streak to his acting. With Brian D'arcy James rounding up the cast with his Buddy.

As of right now, I'd like Laura to do a new show and not a revival.

[GavestonPS]

As long as we're on the subject and the thread is still short, does anyone know FOR CERTAIN whether it is Benanti (rhymes with scanty) or BenAHnti (rhymes with Monty)? They said it both ways on the Tony Awards and also on the BroadwayHD promotional trailers.

[gypsy101]

it rhymes with Scanty

[JBroadway]

Valentina3 said: "I was thinking about Laura earlier today, and I think she'd make a GREAT Phyllis in a 2030ish Follies Revival. With Sutton Foster as Sally. He's done slightly goofy roles so far, but Zachary would be an interesting Ben, if Levi can bring a mean streak to his acting. With Brian D'arcy James rounding up the cast with his Buddy."

 
Are you sure you're not getting the roles mixed up? I think both of the pairs you mentioned should be switched. Benanti should play Sally (the soprano role) and Sutton would play Phyllis (I don't like the idea, but she fits Phyllis much better than Sally). I also think BDJ would be much better for Ben and Levi would be much better as Buddy. Either you're mixing the roles up, or you and I have wildly different ideas of how these 4 actors play onstage. 

 

GavestonPS said "As long as we're on the subject and the thread is still short, does anyone know FOR CERTAIN whether it is Benanti (rhymes with scanty) or BenAHnti (rhymes with Monty)? They said it both ways on the Tony Awards and also on the BroadwayHD promotional trailers."

 

it rhymes with "scanty" - that's how SHE pronounces it, but I think the confusion comes from the fact that it's Italian (I believe) and BenAHnti is more authentic

 

 

[gypsy101]

I agree with J that vocally, Laura and Sutton should play Sally and Phyllis, but as actors I agree with Valentina that they would fit with the reverse.

I hope she stars in an original musical and I really hope it doesn't take her another five years to appear on Broadway. that last wait was much too long!

[JBroadway]

gypsy101 said: "I agree with J that vocally, Laura and Sutton should play Sally and Phyllis, but as actors I agree with Valentina that they would fit with the reverse."

 

See, I still disagree with that. Well...I guess I can SORT OF see Laura as Phyllis, but I think she'd be brilliant as Sally. I simply can't see Sutton Foster in either of those roles acting-wise, but if I had to pick one, I think she's a better fit for Phyllis than Sally, both in terms of acting and vocals. More than any of the other roles, I'd much rather see her play Carlotta when she's older. 

 

[TFMH18]

Agree with a sentiment above: I want to see Laura in a new musical! We all know she's fabulous in these classic roles, but to see her originate something would be thrilling-- she's got the creative chops and stature in the business for it.

[Dollypop]

How about pairing them in I DO! I DO ! ?

[GavestonPS]

Dollypop said: "How about pairing them in I DO! I DO ! ?

 

"

Set it in modern times and why not?

***

Thanks to gypsy and JBroadway for the help with pronouncing "Benanti". I mean, how can she be a star if we can't pronounce her name to gossip about her?

[Princeton78]

I'm really hoping to see her as Irene in Hello Dolly......

And though a new show would be nice, I think they could start engraving the Tony right now if she ever played Eliza Doolittle.  

[icecreambenjamin]

I NEED her to play Eliza.  She's just too perfect. Benedict Cumberbatch would make a brilliant Henry Higgins alongside her.  I wonder also if there will be a role for her in Sondheim's new musical.

As for Levi, I can see him as Bobby in Company and I would love for him and Benanti to do the music man.

[Valentina3]

JBroadway said: "gypsy101 said: "I agree with J that vocally, Laura and Sutton should play Sally and Phyllis, but as actors I agree with Valentina that they would fit with the reverse."

See, I still disagree with that. Well...I guess I can SORT OF see Laura as Phyllis, but I think she'd be brilliant as Sally. I simply can't see Sutton Foster in either of those roles acting-wise, but if I had to pick one, I think she's a better fit for Phyllis than Sally, both in terms of acting and vocals. More than any of the other roles, I'd much rather see her play Carlotta when she's older. "

 

I honestly think both actresses have the chops to sing both parts, and with more experience (we are talking 15 years in the future), it's likely that they will both be getting better every day. They are really hard working actresses who take care of honing their craft.

After seeing Sutton in Violet and Bunheads, I know she can pull off the role of a deeply unhappy woman very well. I absolutely see her as Sally.

Laura in Gypsy showed me that brilliance of mean/cold spirit which is absolutely essential to Phyllis. And this sounds bad, but Sally was not quite as beautiful as Phyllis - and Laura looks the part more than Sutton. Lucy/Jessie number is the only song I think Sutton would land way better than Laura, if the show was done today.

Buddy is a charming character. He is also in a very unsatisfying marriage, and has the most vaudeville (pastiche) song in the show. I think BDJ would completely kill that part. He'd be a great Ben too, no doubt.

I put Zachary Levi down as Ben because of this thread's demands, haha. He would not have been my first pick for either male leads, but if he were to be part of my dream casting - I'd like to see him take on Ben. He has a nervous breakdown on stage for crying out loud, I think any actor who's been playing light hearted comedies and wants to prove their talent would be glorious in that part.

[icecreambenjamin]

Sutton can not sing the role of Sally and Levi is not right for Ben.  Laura is perfect for Sally and Sutton is a decent Phyllis.  Sutton is a beltress and not a classical soprano like the role of Sally requires.  Laura is too classical a voice for Phyllis and she is not a dancer (Sutton is however).

[RippedMan]

No way. Levi is not a singer. Couldn't see him as a powerful, interesting Bobby. 

[Peter2]

I'm a big fan of Follies, but I have to say, I don't really see Benanti or Levi in the leads yet--they're too young, for one thing. 

 

I would love to see them in another light comedy, musical or not. And yes, it would be wonderful if somebody would write something just for them. 

[TotallyEffed]

Kelli O'Hara for the next Sally.