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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]

[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


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


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Julia [Replacement]


[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

Other Roles

Performer

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


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

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2003
Claudia


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

"In My Own Little Corner" Performer


"Something Good" 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 [Replacement]

Ensemble

A Postulant

Maria Rainer (Understudy)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

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


The 92nd Street Y Reveals 2025/26 Tisch Music Season Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 17, 2025

The 92nd Street Y, New York has announced its 2025/26 Tisch Music Season. Over the past century and a half, 92NY has grown into one of New York City’s — and the world’s — most influential cultural institutions.
Jessica Vosk, Laura Benanti and More Set for 92NY LYRICS & LYRICISTS 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 16, 2025

The 92nd Street Y, New York has revealed the new Lyrics & Lyricists season and a slate of American Songbook concerts. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Top Broadway Titles at Tribeca 2025: A Recap
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 16, 2025

Following the Tribeca Festival, BroadwayWorld has done a recap of some of the biggest theater titles, including Everything's Going to Be Great starring Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney, Mandy Patinkin's long-awaited Seasoned series, the third season of The Gilded Age, and more.
Review Roundup: EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE GREAT Premieres at Tribeca Festival
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 13, 2025

This past week, the new theater dramedy Everything's Going to Be Great made its world premiere at Tribeca Festival. Find out what critics thought of the film, which stars Broadway alums Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney.
Review: Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney Lead Theater Dramedy EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE GREAT
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 13, 2025

Led by Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney, Everything's Going to Be Great is an occasionally funny, but ultimately unsatisfying portrait of an eccentric family of regional theater producers.
Video: Watch the 2025 Tony Nominees on Broadway HD
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 8, 2025

What do 2025 Tony nominees Audra McDonald, Jeremy Jordan, Megan Hilty, and more have in common? You can see them all on BroadwayHD! BroadwayHD is a streaming service for theater-lovers, hosting hundreds of captured shows from Broadway, Off-Broadway, the West End, and beyond. In addition to pro-shots, they've also got fan-favorite theatrical screen titles like Mary Poppins, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the television series Smash, and much more.
Video: Bryan Cranston Stars in Exclusive Clip From Theater Dramedy EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE GREAT
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 5, 2025

BroadwayWorld is excited to share an exclusive clip from Everything's Going to Be Great, the new movie starring Broadway alums Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney as regional theater performers. Watch it now!
The 50 Greatest Stage Costumes Ever
by Sidney Paterra - May 25, 2025

From timeless classics to bold contemporary designs, we're breaking down 50 of the most iconic Broadway costumes of all time—the looks that defined characters, captured imaginations, and left an indelible mark on theatre history. Check out what lade the list below!
Listen: JO - THE LITTLE WOMEN MUSICAL Releases Cast Recording
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2025

The cast recording has been released for Jo - The Little Women Musical, a new musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's iconic coming-of-age novel Little Women. Listen to the album here!
Exclusive: Christine Ebersole Sings 'An Ode to Aunt March’s Urn' From JO - THE LITTLE WOMEN MUSICAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2025

BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to 'An Ode to Aunt March’s Urn' from the upcoming studio album  Jo - The Little Women Musical. Learn more and listen here!
Photos: Rachel Sussman Receives Jewish Queer Icon Award
by Josh Sharpe - May 20, 2025

Hundreds gathered at Lincoln Center on Monday evening to honor Tony Award-winning producer Rachel Sussman and support JQY (Jewish Queer Youth), the largest direct service provider for queer Jewish teens and young adults. Take a look at photos from the evening here.
Interview: Robbie Rozelle of CITATION NEEDED at 54 Below
by Stephen Mosher - May 16, 2025

Comedic cabaret musical storyteller Robbie Rozelle is bringing his yearly one-off to 54 Below and he shared some thoughts on the art form, the importance of attacking fear, and the need for comedy to be front-loaded.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 14, 2025
by - May 14, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  May 14, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Darren Criss, Patti LuPone & More Set for Rufus Wainwright's OPENING NIGHT Concert Celebration
by Josh Sharpe - May 13, 2025

Rufus Wainwright will release an original West End cast recording of John Cassavetes’ Opening Night. To celebrate the release, Broadway's Sara Bareilles, Darren Criss, Laura Benanti, Patti LuPone, and Elizabeth Teeter will star in a one-night-only concert at Town Hall on September 15th.
Underbelly Unveils 2025 Programme For 25th Year at the Edinburgh Fringe
by Stephi Wild - May 6, 2025

2025 marks Underbelly's 25th year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, celebrating a milestone year at the heart of the world's biggest arts festival. Tickets for the 2025 programme are on sale now.
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2025 Nominated Revivals
by Sidney Paterra - May 4, 2025

The results of the 2025 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare?
Paper Mill Playhouse Announces Nominations For The 2025 Rising Star Awards
by A.A. Cristi - May 1, 2025

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced nominations for the 30th annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. Since their inception in 1996, the Rising Star Awards have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey.
Laura Benanti Will Make UK Premiere With Solo Show at the Edinburgh Fringe
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2025

Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares is a one-woman comedy show from the mind of Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti. In this show, Benanti blends side-splitting storytelling with original songs.
Laura Benanti Brings UK Premiere of Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares To The Edinburgh Fringe
by Natalie O'Donoghue - May 1, 2025

Laura Benanti will make her Edinburgh Fringe debut in August.
Photos: New Victory Family Benefit: CIRCUS IN THE CITY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 30, 2025

On Sunday, April 27, New 42 and New Victory Theater celebrated their Family Benefit. This annual event, titled “Circus in the City'. See photos of the event here!

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?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Meteor Shower, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for She Loves Me, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for She Loves Me, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for She Loves Me, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for She Loves Me, 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, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for In the Next Room, or the vibrator play, 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, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Nine , Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Swing!.

What awards has Laura Benanti won?

Laura Benanti has won several prestigious awards for her performances in musical theater. She received the Best Featured Actress in a Musical award from the BroadwayWorld Awards for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Additionally, she earned the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical awards from both the Drama Desk Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same show. For her role in Gypsy, Laura won the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical awards from the Drama Desk Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards. She also won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Gypsy.

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