Laura Benanti to replace Lauren Ambrose in MY FAIR LADY

[OlBlueEyes]

I think that Lauren and Harry created something very special during the course of their months together. Lauren pushed herself through many troubles to get to that last performance with Harry that she talks about. 

It will be a real shame if we never get to see what they accomplished, through a filmed version of one of their last performances together, and it doesn't seem like any was made, or if the cast reunites for a Live from Lincoln Center broadcast closing week. This, unfortunately, doesn't seem likely.

I think that the powers that own the rights to these musicals but can't find a way to preserve great performances and present them to the public are not respecting the performers who put so much effort into creating the great performances.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I absolutely agree. This is not hyperbole to me, but I honestly believe Harry Hadden-Paton and Lauren Ambrose created something truly magical together. I believe they both had a similar learning curve and grew together, so their Henry and Eliza was an organic whole that evolved after months of honing their performances. I'm afraid that even if they were to reunite for a Live at Lincoln Center special performance, it'd be too much of a separation that the level they ended on can't be replicated. Yes, I know every Broadway performer grows in their performance and get better and better as the show goes on (until they do it for too long) but that sort of evolution is unique to every show and I just loved Harry and Lauren's evolution together.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Laura Benanti is Eliza Doolittle on Broadway tonight!

Can't wait for reports! 

[Bwayfan292]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSxBtUh9x7/

 

Laura will not being doing the stage door, the whole run.

[GreeneStreet]

Good for her!

[TotallyEffed]

Break a leg, Laura!

[quizking101]

She owes nothing to anyone given her medical/family situation and she's still going out of her way to appreciate her fans in some capacity. That's some next level kindness she's showing. 

FWIW, the Beaumont Stage Door never really gets super-packed, so the few people who are there are in for a nice surprise.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Good for her! Cannot wait to hear the raves! So excited to see her soon!

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Anyone at the show tonight?

[laurensambrose]

https://twitter.com/AlanHenry/status/1054914381983690757?fbclid=IwAR0jeImQBtnhLVf8rAYnseBhrWuYjPst4eNx_2I4thNKLu7w2AvL7k1AQn0 here's a video of her first bow! 

[bwayphreak234]

I was in attendance tonight. I was a little concerned when I got there because I was given a Playbill with Lauren Ambrose still in and stuffed with slips, but nothing about Laura Benanti. However, Bartlett Sher came out before the show and gave a very nice speech that this was Laura Benanti’s first night in the show. They later had inserts available in the lobby at intermission and after the show.

I thought Laura Benanti was absolutely divine. Her performance was so polished and perfect that I still can’t grasp tonight was her first night in the role. Her soprano voice is better than ever. Her comedic timing is impeccable. The ascot scene tonight was the funniest I have ever seen it performed out of the multiple productions of I have seen of My Fair Lady.

This is a performance that should not be missed. I could tell that she was having the time of her life up on that stage. I will definitely be going back to see her many times.

[n2nbaby]

Hope they have the Laura Playbills for tomorrow’s matinee...

So excited to hear she’s great, though! I was a little nervous that I was seeing her so early in her run with the show.

[BroadwayConcierge]

So glad to hear a positive review, bwayphreak! I can't wait to see her later this week.

One question I have: were there any noticeable costume/coloring differences between Ambrose's and Benanti's Eliza? (Also, I assume Benanti's Eliza is a brunette?)

[bwayphreak234]

BroadwayConcierge said: "So glad to hear a positive review, bwayphreak! I can't wait to see her later this week.

One question I have: were there any noticeable costume/coloringdifferences between Ambrose's and Benanti's Eliza? (Also, I assume Benanti's Eliza is a brunette?)"

The costumes were identical to the ones that Ambrose wore. Benanti's Eliza is brunette. I am still on cloud nine from seeing her performance tonight. This is one of my favorite Broadway productions I have ever seen, and being able to see it with my favorite actress of all time is such a treat.

[lucillefrank]

Benanti really was born to play Eliza. And her chemistry with Harry Hadden-Paton is amazing. You would not believe they had only met for the first time today.

[VintageSnarker]

quizking101 said: "She owes nothing to anyone given her medical/family situation and she's still going out of her way to appreciate her fans in some capacity. That's some next level kindness she's showing.

FWIW, the Beaumont Stage Door never really gets super-packed, so the few people who are there are in for a nice surprise."

That Instagram message is very sweet. The fact that she's signing playbills and offering to sign things left at the stage door is more than she's required to do. I wonder if the items have to be MFL specific or if she'd sign something from past shows. I'd feel better dropping something off at the stage door rather than mailing it and I'm around Lincoln Center enough to easily pick it up. 

I'm torn on whether I want to hang out in this thread because I want to hear all about Laura but I also might not see this until Danny joins. It depends on how long I can hold out. My wallet is crying.

[Dolly80]

lucillefrank said: "Benanti really was born to play Eliza. And her chemistry with Harry Hadden-Paton is amazing. You would not believe they had only met for the first time today. "

They only met for the first time on the day of her first performance?!! That’s hilarious If you think that’s the case...

[CATSNYrevival]

Dolly80 said: "They only met for the first time on the day of her first performance?!! That’s hilarious If you think that’s the case..."

Benanti said just that in her show people interview.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Dolly80, Hadden-Paton has been in Europe for the past month filming the Downton Abbey movie. Benanti said in her recent Show People interview on Broadway.com that as a result, her first rehearsal with Hadden-Patton would not be until the afternoon of her first performance. So while they may have “met” before, today was indeed the first time that their Eliza and Higgins met.

[Musical Master]

So good to hear that Laura is doing great in this role and that the chemistry between her and Paton is wonderful despite just meeting each other on that day.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

That kinda works for the show — Eliza and Higgins meet in scene 1 and learn about each other as the show goes on, which Laura and Harry did tonight. If they had been playing Mary & James Tyrone or Maggie & Brick, it probably wouldn’t work out so well.

[lucillefrank]

Dolly80 said: "lucillefrank said: "Benanti really was born to play Eliza. And her chemistry with Harry Hadden-Paton is amazing. You would not believe they had only met for the first time today. "

They only met for the first time on the day of her first performance?!! That’s hilarious If you think that’s the case..."

I mean sure you can patronize me but I’m only repeating what Benanti told me and what Bart Sher said during the curtain speech last night. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I never doubted Laura would be perfect in this role, but I'm shocked that she and Harry only met the day of her first performance and from the accounts here both were able to give a performance as if they've been doing it together for a while. Seasoned theater actors at the top of their game really are capable of amazing things.

[wish i were here2]

Just went to the theatre and was able to get a student rush ticket for tonight!!!

[irishgator1]

I saw the matinee today and it was amazing!! My second time (I saw the first time with the understudy, who was terrific). The Playbills had Laura listed unlike yesterday. She was perfection.

Btw, it was just one other guy and me at the stage door. We ended up asking someone who came out of the SD about the Laura-signed Playbills and that person texted the stage manager, who brought out a signed Playbill for us.