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Laura Benanti

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BIO

Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti can be seen in the Samantha Bee and Jason Jones TBS comedy, The Detour. Additional TV credits include Younger, Supergirl, Nashville, guest-starring as songbird Sadie Stone; The Good Wife; and Showtime’s Nurse Jackie.


Most recently, Laura starred as Eliza Doolittle in the Broadway Revival of My Fair Lady. Prior to that, she co-starred alongside Amy Schumer and Keegan Michael Key in Steve Martin’s hit Broadway play, Meteor Shower.
In 2016, Laura completed her Tony nominated role (and 5th nomination) as Amalia Balash in the hit Broadway Musical, She Loves Me. Laura also received Outer Critics Circle, Drama League and Drama Desk Award nominations for this role.
In addition to television work and her critically acclaimed performance as Elsa Schrader in NBC’s The Sound of Music LIVE, Ms. Benanti is a highly celebrated, stage actress who took Broadway by storm at the age of 18.
She received a Drama Desk award, Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award Nomination for her starring role in the Broadway production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown for Lincoln Center where she also starred in the Broadway production of Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play. Ms. Benanti earned the 2008 Tony Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for her revelatory portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy opposite Patti LuPone and directed by Arthur Laurents. Her other Broadway roles include The Wedding Singer, Nine, starring Antonio Banderas, her Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-nominated performance of Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods and her sultry Tony nominated turn in Swing! Ms. Benanti made her Broadway debut as Maria in The Sound of Music opposite Richard Chamberlain.
Other distinguished theater performances include the Public Theater’s production of Christopher Durang’s Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, Perdita in The Winter’s Tale at the Williamstown Theatre Festival opposite Kate Burton, Anne in A Little Night Music at the L.A. Opera opposite Victor Garber, Eileen in Wonderful Town opposite Donna Murphy and most recently her portrayal of Rosabella in the Most Happy Fella, both for City Center Encores! Ms. Benanti completed a week-long engagement at the popular New York cabaret club, 54 Below, for which The New York Times hailed her as a “supremely confident” performer whose “bright, full soprano, with its semioperatic heft, can go almost anywhere.” In September 2013, she released her debut album, “In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention: Live at 54 Below” on Broadway Records to ecstatic reviews.
Laura currently performs her concerts in venues around the country and even recently performed for the President and First Lady of the United States at both the Fords Gala and the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington DC.
In 2014, she joined the cast of ABC’s hit series “Nashville” guest-starring as songbird Sadie Stone. Laura also appeared in recurring roles on CBS’s “The Good Wife” and HBO’s “Nurse Jackie.”
Laura’s past television credits include a starring role in the NBC series “The Playboy Club” and “Go On” opposite Matthew Perry. She also starred in the F/X original series “Starved”. Ms. Benanti recurred on “Law and Order: SVU,” “Royal Pains,” and “Eli Stone.” and had appearances on “The Big C”, and “Elementary”.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Irish Rep Off-Broadway Production, 2023
Melissa

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2018
Eliza Doolittle [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2017
Laura

[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Broadway Revival, 2016
Amalia

[Off-Broadway]
Radio City Musical Hall Production, 2015
Jenna

[New York]
Manhattan Concert Production at Lincoln Center, 2015
Lucille Frank

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2014
Performer

[Motion Picture]
NBC Live Televised Production, 2013
Elsa Schrader

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Production, 2010
Candela

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Mrs. Givings

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Louise

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2007
Louise

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Concert, 2006
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Julia

Julia [Replacement]

[New York]
New York Concert, 2005
Lily

[New York]
Workshop, 2005
Performers

[Regional (US)]
Workshop, 2004
Princess Caraboo

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Other Roles

Performer

[Off-Broadway]
New York Concert, 2003
The Snake-Led

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2003
Rosamund Plinth [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2003
Claudia

[Broadway]
Richard Rodgers 100th Birthday Celebration, 2002
"Something Good" Performer

"In My Own Little Corner" Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2002
Cinderella

[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Revival (Pre-Broadway), 2002
Cinderella/Cinderella's Mother

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2001
Julia

[Off-Broadway]
2001
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2000
Eileen

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1999
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1998
Maria Rainer [Replacement]

Ensemble

A Postulant

Maria Rainer (Understudy)


Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2018 - Distinguished Performance Award

Laura Benanti, Meteor Shower

Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, She Loves Me

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Distinguished Performance Award

Laura Benanti, She Loves Me

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, She Loves Me

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Laura Benanti, She Loves Me


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2011 - Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Laura Benanti, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Gypsy


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Gypsy


winner
Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Gypsy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Nine

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical

Laura Benanti, Into the Woods

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Laura Benanti, Into the Woods

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Laura Benanti , Swing!

Videos

News


Bradley Riches, Amber Davies & Claudia Kariuki Join Scott Alan Live At Cadogan Hall

Bradley Riches, Amber Davies, and Claudia Kariuki will join Amy di Bartolemeo, Oliver Tompsett, and Stuart Matthew Price as guest vocalists for internationally acclaimed songwriter SCOTT ALAN live at Cadogan Hall.
Video: Laura Benanti Sings 'The Sound of Music' at 54 Below

Watch Laura Benanti sing the title song from The Sound of Music, a role she first played on Broadway at 18 years old at 54 Below in this all-new video.
Exclusive: Jonathan Tolins Talks Broadway, Opera, & Murder (Oh, My!) in ELSBETH

Ahead of the new season, BroadwayWorld sat down with showrunner Jonathan Tolins to discuss the CBS series Elsbeth, its many connections to the stage, and why the show represents a more upbeat version of New York City than is often portrayed onscreen.
Laura Benanti and Christine Duffy to be Honored at Broadway Dreams Gala

Co-directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Newell and Emmy Award-nominated director and choreographer Spencer Liff, the Broadway Dreams Gala will honor Laura Benanti and Christine Duffy. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Ana Gasteyer to Join TDF's Fall Fundraiser BROADWAY BREAKFAST At City Winery

Stage and screen star Ana Gasteyer has joined the lineup for its annual fall fundraiser, Broadway Breakfast, to be held at City Winery New York City. The event will feature Laura Benanti, and more. See how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Hannah Gadsby's WOOF! Opens Off-Broadway

Hannah Gadsby's WOOF! recently celebrated its opening night at the Abrons Arts Center. The new comedy is written and performed by Gadsby and directed by Jenney Shamash . Production Design for the Off-Broadway production is by Oona Curley, based on Original Design by Shamash. Check out photos from opening night here!
Laura Benanti, Kate Baldwin & Nikki M. James To Star In BROADWAY MELODY at 54 Below

Laura Benanti, Nikki M. James, Kate Baldwin and more will star in BROADWAY MELODY WITH JACK VIERTEL & FRIENDS at 54 Below in November. Learn more about the upcoming concert and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Gwen Walz, Jane Krakowski, & Susan Sarandon Visit Todd Almond's I'M ALMOST THERE

Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, Jane Krakowski, and Susan Sarandon visited The New York premiere of I’m Almost There, written and performed by Todd Almond and directed by David Cromer. Check out photos here!
Videos You Missed This Week: TEETH, SPELLING BEE, YELLOW FACE, and More

Catch up on all the latest from the week ending October 4, 2024 with videos from Sunset Boulevard, Teeth, Yellow Face, and more!
Sarah Boone Brings MOM BEFORE DAD: A Young Woman Of The Greatest Generation to the Triad Theater

Cabaret artist Sarah Boone will return to the Triad Theater with an encore performance of Mom Before Dad: A Young Woman of the Greatest Generation following celebrated performances in Florida, Los Angeles and Colorado.
Broadway Jukebox: The Greatest of Gavin Creel

We remember Gavin's incredible impact on those he knew and those who knew him through is work on and off stage by rounding up some of Gavin Creel's best Broadway performances on Spotify. 
Photos: Todd Almond's I'M ALMOST THERE Opens at Audible Theater

The New York premiere of I’m Almost There, written and performed by Todd Almond and directed by David Cromer opened on Thursday, September 26th and Broadway World was there to capture the festivities. Check out photos here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 30, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  September 30, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Video: Getting Spooky with Laura Benanti

In this video, Laura Benanti stops by The Roundtable to talk about her new role as a mother in the creepy, spooky, thriller The Shade! The Shade, an award-winning independent horror film starring Chris Galust, will have an exclusive theatrical release on several hundred screens in the U.S. and Canada on September 20, ahead of its release across all digital platforms.
Todd Almond's I'M ALMOST THERE Begins Performances This Week at Audible's Minetta Lane Theatre

Beginning this Thursday, Audible will present the New York premiere of I’m Almost There, written and performed by Todd Almond and directed by David Cromer. Todd Almond’s rueful, hilarious and poignant modern love story in song about a man crossing a sea of doubts to find happiness… and good coffee. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Laura And Linda Benanti to Bring MOTHERS KNOW BEST Back To 54 Below

Laura and Linda Benanti will present return of their show MOTHERS KNOW BEST to 54 Below. The performance will feature a mix of music and storytelling, celebrating the bond between mothers and daughters. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Laura Benanti and Miranda Ferriss Jones Will Host Two Events in Support of Kamala Harris

 Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti and theater maker Miranda Ferriss Jones have joined forces to present two exclusive concert fundraisers in support of Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign this month.
Laura Benanti, Andrew Rannells, Shaina Taub & More Join Lineup for CSC's 2024 Gala

Classic Stage Company will present their 2024 Gala this fall. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.
Natalie Joy Johnson to Return to The Green Room 42 in October

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Natalie Joy Johnson in October. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Laura Benanti and Norm Lewis Will Headline TDF'S Broadway Breakfast Fundraiser

Laura Benanti and Norm Lewis will headline TDF's Broadway Breakfast, their annual fall fundraising event, which will take place on October 23 at 8 AM at City Winery.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Laura Benanti been in?

Laura Benanti has appeared on Broadway in 14 shows.

How many West End shows has Laura Benanti been in?

Laura Benanti has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Laura Benanti been nominated for?

Laura Benanti has received numerous nominations for her outstanding performances in theater. She was nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Meteor Shower. Additionally, she earned nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Tony Awards for her role in She Loves Me. For Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, she was nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards, as well as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards. She also received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for the same production. In the Next Room, or the vibrator play earned her a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Laura was also nominated for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance in Gypsy, along with a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for the same role. Her work in Nine garnered her another nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. She received nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for her role in Into the Woods. Lastly, she was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Swing!.

What awards has Laura Benanti won?

Laura Benanti has won several prestigious awards, including: - Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy. - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gypsy. - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy.

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