Laura Benanti to replace Lauren Ambrose in MY FAIR LADY

[Elegance101]

Dancingthrulife2 said: "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 isBenanti'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 seea loverly surprise."

I don’t have any animosity toward her. I saw it and I simply didn’t like her performance. I have no problem with her taking Sunday matinees off (same with Benanti with Tuesday shows). I just wanted to make it clear that I have been vocal on this board about not liking her performance, but it has absolutely nothing to do with anything except what I saw when I was watching her. I just didn’t see the magic everyone else did. And that’s okay!

[RippedMan]

So much hype for her, so I'll def have to go back and check her out.

[ND_2000]

THIS IS AMAZING NEWS! I'm seeing the show for the first time tomorrow and I am so excited. I know I will be back this Winter for Ms. Benanti! What an incredible moment for her. I haven't seen so much hype around a replacement announcement in a long time. Thrilled that her dream is coming true.

[EllieRose2]

She was born for the part, how wonderful.  I look forward to seeing her.

[GeorgeandDot]

So excited for this! My poor bank account though.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Called it.

The producers wanted someone who wouldn't be a risk after the mixed response to Ambrose, and Benanti will sell tickets.

[SmoothLover]

This news was in the Departures and Replacements thread a week ago. Why did you start a new one?

[CT2NYC]

SmoothLover said: "This news was in the Departures and Replacements thread a week ago. Why did you start a new one?"

I know you must be feeling smug since you scooped the official announcement, but it was 4 days, not a week, ago, and obviously a new thread would be started, since your headline mentioned neither My Fair Lady nor Lauren Ambrose. 

[A Canadian in NYC]

The week after I'm there..... kill me now

But very happy for everyone who can see her.  Can't wait to read the reviews.  She'll be marvelous.

 

[BellaB2]

I got to see it with Ambrose in June and I thought she was wonderful. And now I'm so excited to see Laura Benanti do it!! Just got a ticket for November.

[IdinaBellFoster]

I would love if they put a new set of LincTix on sale, but I doubt they will.

[MichelleCraig]

Saw this news online and immediately came here to see what the reaction would be. I was hoping it wouldn’t be about Laura being too old for the part...and it wasn’t! 

I’m as excited as just about everyone here. I think Laura will be great. I didn’t see Lauren, but I’ve seen Laura in so many things that I can’t imagine her not owning this! 

So happy for her!

[LxGstv]

Delete.

[ColorTheHours048]

I’m also firmly in the “Lauren Ambrose is a revelation” camp. So many moments of her performance are burned into my mind. And her singing was thrilling.

That being said, this casting announcement is a DREAM. My poor, poor credit card - but I will be shelling out for a great seat to this. And I’m happy she’s getting to do her dream role on Broadway in such a stellar production.

[Duckie4]

I certainly don’t have any “animosity” towards Lauren Ambrose. I didn’t know who she was before I saw the show and I thought some of her comedic moments were good, but I went in expecting the kind of powerful soprano this role usually commands and I thought her vocals were only fair. Perhaps it was an off night for her, perhaps she was sick, perhaps my expectations were different than the director’s vision. Either way, I was underwhelmed as an audience member, it’s as simple as that. I will, however, go back to see Ms. Benanti.

[Ryantheatrekid]

I’m seeing the show tomorrow and already know I have to go again to see Laura :)

[SomethingPeculiar]

JVJ93 said: "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?"

I doubt it, these dates for MFL have already been on sale for months. Mazzie and Kim joined The King and I more than a year after it opened, when the show was not doing well. (It only lasted 7 weeks with them...a shame that Mazzie didn't get to do it longer.)

 

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "I wonder if some publications will re-review the show with Benanti in it."

This seems likely, and LCT will want the critical exposure.



If Harry Hadden-Paton is indeed taking a monthlong leave of absence in September/early October, I wonder who will replace him?

[gypsy101]

seeing this news shows me that dreams really can come true!

[Hairspray0901]

As someone who absolutely adored Lauren Ambrose as Eliza, this is very exciting news. I plan on seeing Lauren Ambrose again before she leaves as her performance has really stuck with me as one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen (no joke!!!). My Mom is torn on who to see (she’s been wanting to see Ambrose but we are also huge fans of Laura Benanti) so maybe I can convince her to see both!

[OlBlueEyes]

I didn’t have to look for very long at a lot of the anti-Ambrose folk before I found that the problem with Lauren was that she was not Benanti. A couple uploaded a 15 minute video on YouTube on “Why we hated My Fair Lady” and halfway through I discovered that the problem was that Laura had not been cast as Eliza.

Laura has a large fan base, as she should. I thought that she was about perfect in She Loves Me.

To me, what distinguished the original cast production was that for the first time the music was less memorable than the 2nd Act confrontation scenes between Eliza and Higgins. Not that the music wasn’t fine. See the Times and the News and Newsday reviews if you doubt its reception by the critics.

Another (almost) 40 year old. I wonder if Sher would have offered the part to his friend, colleague and Muse Kelli O’Hara if she had been available? She would have absolutely taken the role.

[VintageSnarker]

Sauja said: "I'm very happy for her. I'm less happy for my wallet since now I have to go back."

Same. And I can't get a Linctix ticket this time. But otherwise, a million times yes. And I guess it's fine since I'm saving money with all the less than exciting shows this season.

[broadwaysfguy]

laura will be great. I saw both other actors and liked the understudy better than Lauren and Lauren was fine.

My next wish for casting after Laura B would be would be the incredible Laura Osnes, who would also be dazzling as Eliza..... 

[Musical Master]

WOW! As someone who absolutely loved Lauren Ambrose as Eliza, THIS is great casting right here! I wish her the best.

[SmoothLover]

Tony Roach will probably fill in for Harry since he has been doing it thus far. The recasting is smart because the production will more than likely get reviewed again.

I wonder if Laura will be wearing the rust colored gown to the ball?  Me thinks that Catherine will put her in another color.

[NOWaWarning]

I wonder if Ambrose will be finished filming by the time Benanti’s 4 month run ends. Maybe they’ll bring her back to film a Live with Lincoln Center and close the show.