Laura Benanti to replace Lauren Ambrose in MY FAIR LADY

[geoffreyC]

She who takes the final bow wins.  Lauren who?  jk 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

There’s some serious rewriting of history going on such as saying Ambrose’s performance wasn’t acclaimed when it was with almost every published critic and she even won an award for it and was nominated for a Tony. It’s just here and with some fans online where it wasn’t acclaimed. Also, I expected people to backtrack on the Ambrose 7 show a week criticism. It’s one thing to criticize how the announcement was made and the timing of it but the criticism went way beyond that. Anybody with integrity and who was part of that thread would admit it.

[mikem]

I think the stigma about replacing, particularly for the first replacement, has gone down.  Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch, two true legends of the theater, replaced in A Little Night Music, and it didn't dim their luster one bit.  The current replacement cast of Hamilton has one Tony winner and two other cast members who were Tony nominees, which I don't think you would have seen 20 or 30 years ago. 

[JVJ93]

I remember when Marin and Daniel Dae Kim joined King and I, LCT put a new batch of LincTix onsale to people who had already used their initial linctix to see Kelli. Do you think there’s a chance they’ll do that with Laura?

[n2nbaby]

I got so excited after the awful week I’ve had that I bought a ticket for the wrong date with my LincTix before Laura starts. I called Lincoln Center and they said nothing could be done. I called telecharge and they refunded my money right away.

I bought a ticket to the October 24th matinee. Glad I held off on getting a ticket to this.

[henrikegerman]

Clearly, Ambrose's performance has been divisive.  I'm on the side who calls it stunning, transformative, heartbreaking, hilarious and brilliant.  One of the great Shavian performance and if some her vocals are arguably unorthodox they are nonetheless beautiful and impressive.

I'm pissed off about Benanti taking over the role.  Not because I think she'll be bad.  Far from it. 

But because she'll most likely be amazing.  And now I, who have tickets to see the show again next week (Rosemary Harris's first week) and can't wait to see the show again, will be definitiely going back yet again to see Benanti.

One great performer is replacing another and I expect this will also be very good for business at the Beaumont.

[bwayphreak234]

According to Telecharge...

Lauren Ambrose (thru 10/21)*, Laura Benanti (begins 10/23)**, Harry Hadden-Paton***

*The role of Eliza Doolittle will be performed by Kerstin Anderson at Sunday matinees through 10/14 and on Tuesday evenings beginning 10/30.

I’m guessing it’s safe to say she will be performing 10/23?

[haterobics]

bwayphreak234 said: "I’m guessing it’s safe to say she will be performing 10/23?"

Seems like it. Not sure why anyone would want to see someone's first time in such a role, though. Let her settle into it a bit, heh

[BroadwayBeebe]

Just picked up my LincTix for her first Saturday Night in the role! I can’t wait for this!

[Sarah Jacobs]

bwayphreak234 said: "According to Telecharge...

Lauren Ambrose (thru 10/21)*, Laura Benanti (begins 10/23)**, Harry Hadden-Paton***

*The role of Eliza Doolittle will be performed by Kerstin Anderson at Sunday matinees through 10/14 and on Tuesday evenings beginning 10/30.

I’m guessing it’s safe to say she will be performing 10/23?"

 

I hope so.  I bought my ticket for that day.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

This is her Bernadette / “Night Music” moment.

[Dancingthrulife2]

geoffreyC said: "She who takes the final bow wins. Lauren who? jk"

I wasn't aware that there was a competition between Lauren AMBROSE and Laura Benanti. 

[schubox]

Guess I’m seeing this again

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I wonder if some publications will re-review the show with Benanti in it. She would deserve it, and I bet her versions of the songs will be absolutely thrilling.

[gleek4114]

Just got my LincTix for mid November! I'm so STOKED! I saw Laura's cabaret about a month ago, and the fact that her astounding talent is still on my mind makes me all the more excited for this to happen!

[Kad]

Put me in the pro-Ambrose group, as well. I thought she gave a beautiful performance, and the animosity toward her on here baffles me.

[Robbie2]

Kad said: "Put me in the pro-Ambrose group, as well. I thought she gave a beautiful performance, and the animosity toward her on here baffles me."

 

I'm with you on that Kad!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Kad said: "Put me in the pro-Ambrose group, as well. I thought she gave a beautiful performance, and the animosity toward her on here baffles me."

Agreed. I thought Ambrose was revelatory. 

[froote]

Kad said: "Put me in the pro-Ambrose group, as well. I thought she gave a beautiful performance, and the animosity toward her on here baffles me."

Me too. Will never understand it.

[bwayphreak234]

Kad said: "Put me in the pro-Ambrose group, as well. I thought she gave a beautiful performance, and the animosity toward her on here baffles me."

 

Agreed. Ambrose’s performance was a true revelation. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Same here. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

I agree that Ambrose was a revelation, but I'm still beyond words excited we have Benanti coming it. It was a now or never time for her in the role. 

[Dancingthrulife2]

I guess most of the animosity comes from those who haven't seen the show. Ambrose wasn't cast because she was a TV star; she was cast because she was the fit for Sher's vision. Personally, she exceeded all my expectations for this role. Eliza is Benanti's dream role, I'm not denying that. But I don't see her, great as she is, fit this vision as well based on her previous performances. I will definitely see Benanti, and would definitely be delighted to see a loverly surprise. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Is the show closing after Laura’s run? If not, would love to see Betsy Wolfe replace Laura.

[Valentina3]

Kad said: "Put me in the pro-Ambrose group, as well. I thought she gave a beautiful performance, and the animosity toward her on here baffles me."

Lauren's "ha ha ha" scene and Act 1 end nod have been etched in my memory forever. She was truly phenomenal. I am also very excited about seeing Laura in the role. :)