Laura Benanti News

The Broadway at Birdland series is proud to present 'A Salute To Dre.Dance' on Monday, August 1 at 7pm.

With Annie returning to Broadway in 2012, Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City will present the second of several Annie-themed master classes. They are thrilled to announce that Broadway's original Annie, Andrea McArdle, will be leading the class on Monday, July 25th. A representative from Telsey & Co., the casting directors for the revival, will also be present to lead an audition technique class. Space is limited, and only a few spots remain available.

Ravinia Festival's 2011 Gala Benefit Evening will celebrate legendary American composer George Gershwin with a program including his most beloved music at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. This performance commemorates the 75th anniversary of Gershwin's Ravinia performance by recreating the concert, which in 1936 had audiences climbing into the trees to catch a glimpse of the musical genius. Ravinia Festival Music Director James Conlon will lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the 75-minute concert, which features renowned Gershwin interpreters vocalists Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sylvia McNair and pianist Kevin Cole.

Laura Benanti has announced via her twitter today that she will be gracing the October cover of Playboy magazine.

With Annie returning to Broadway in 2012, Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City will present the second of several Annie-themed master classes. They are thrilled to announce that Broadway's original Annie, Andrea McArdle, will be leading the class on Monday, July 25th. A representative from Telsey & Co., the casting directors for the revival, will also be present to lead an audition technique class. Space is limited, and only a few spots remain available.

The announcement that a revival of FUNNY GIRL was in the works last season opened the floodgates of speculation as to who would be reprising the iconic role of 'Fanny Brice,' made famous by Barbra Streisand. While the theatrical community was buzzing about Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, Laura Benanti, Shoshana Bean, Ana Gasteyer and Leslie Kritzer - to name a few - the Center Theatre Group announced that it was conducting an online search for the show's star. Production officials have been mum on any leads.

Ann Arbor's professional theatre turns 30 next year, and as the award-winning troupe wraps up its 29th season with record-breaking attendance, PNT announces its long-awaited 30th anniversary season.

NBC announced today the premieres of its new Fall 2011 primetime schedule, including the Laura Benanti led 'The Playboy Club.' The fall schedule begins Tuesday, September 13 with new episodes of 'Parenthood' -- following the final performance episode of 'America's Got Talent.'

The Broadway at Birdland series is proud to present 'A Salute To Dre.Dance' on Monday, August 1 at 7pm.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to present more than 120 of the region's most talented young performing artists from Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory in a fully produced, original concert on the Paper Mill main-stage titled 'New Voices of 2011: I'll Take Manhattan,' celebrating Broadway's love affair with its hometown.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce auditions for its 2011 Summer Professional Training Programs for talented young performers ages 10 to 18.

On Monday, June 20, Tony winner Laura Benanti will headline BROADWAY AT THE BOAT BASIN- a gala benefitting the RiversidePark fund. The event will be held at O'Neals' West 79th Street Boat Basin Café in the historic Rotunda, in Riverside Park. DInner will begin at 7:30PM and Benanti will perform at 8:30PM.

Riverside Park Fund is pleased to announce that Broadway star and Tony winner Laura Benanti will perform at this year's benefit gala, celebrating 25 years of conservancy. The gala, entitled Broadway at the Boat Basin, will be held Monday, June 20 at the Boat Basin Café in the historic Rotunda in Riverside Park. Ms. Benanti was just nominated for a Tony for her performance in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Ms. Benanti tells Riverside Park Fund, 'I have run, walked, played, lounged and enjoyed every minute of my time in Riverside Park. It is a rare blessing to have such a beautiful oasis for people from all walks of life. It is my absolute honor to contribute through song to the preservation of this New York treasure.' Ms. Benanti joins an impressive roster of performers who have all contributed their voices to Riverside Park's well-loved gala under the stars, including Kelli O'Hara, who performed to a sold-out crowd last year, and Brian Stokes Mitchell the year prior. Ms. Benanti is featured on the original Broadway cast album of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which will arrive in stores May 10th.

On June 3, BroadwayWorld.com announced the recipients of the 9th annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards, voted on by YOU, the hundreds of thousands of theatregoers and fans who support New York theater on Broadway and off each season. On Sunday, June 12, the 65th annual Tony Awards Ceremony awarded Broadway's best with the famed honor, the winners selected by industry producers and additional movers and shakers. So how did the fan votes measure up to those of the industry professionals?

Tony Award Winning Actress Laura Benanti's NBC pilot, 'Playboy Club' has been picked up by the network. Below are the first photos from the show which will premiere on Monday night's this fall featuring Laura as Carol-Lynne, the very first 'Bunny'!

Since their inception in 1996 the Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee- Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey. Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award® nominee Anne Hathaway, Tony® award winner Laura Benanti, and 2011 Tony® nominee, Nikki M. James. Paper Mill Playhouse hosted the 16th Annual Rising Star Awards- Presented by the Investors Savings Bank Foundation on Tuesday, June 7th at the Millburn Theater. Schools nominated for Outstanding Overall Musical and Leading Actor/Actress nominees performed at the event and award recipients were presented with a crystal award from Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards partner, Tiffany & Co. Westfield High School came out on top, winning nine Rising Star Awards (including Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical) and two scholarships.

On Monday, June 20, Tony winner Laura Benanti will headline BROADWAY AT THE BOAT BASIN- a gala benefitting the RiversidePark fund. The event will be held at O'Neals' West 79th Street Boat Basin Café in the historic Rotunda, in Riverside Park. DInner will begin at 7:30PM and Benanti will perform at 8:30PM.

On Twitter Watch, Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote ' Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda Oh, y'all like these freestyles? Come see us do it LIVE, this Thursday: reverbnation.com/c/fr5/artist_2… 9 minutes ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda Last one, my fav: 'Joe Mantello, one of theater's greatest individuals/ is now a Tony-winning actor with Wicked Residuals!' #NPHrapouttakes 29 minutes ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda There's Mormons drinking in the lobby, screaming 'Golly, Is that Reno Sweeney slobbering w/ Bobby Cannavale?' #NPHrapouttakes @sfosternyc 31 minutes ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda 'BRIAN BEDFORD AS LADY BRACKNELL BEGUILED/ A TONY FOR BEING EARNEST AND MY HOMEY OSCAR WILDE.' #NPHrapouttakes 35 minutes ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda For @RoryOMalley: 'He turns it on like an Aurora Borealis, Rory O'Malley is pourin' Alize out of his pimp chalice!' #NPHrapouttakes 38 minutes ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda 'We popped Spumante for Laura Benanti/she thanked her hot husband and Patti LuPone, her auntie.' #freestyleNPHouttakes 1 hour ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda Okay! More after lunch! 2 hours ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda Our early @nikkimjames, which we replaced: 'Nikki James is so insanely talented n pretty/she won a Tony and a vacation to Salt Lake City.' 2 hours ago Lin_Manuel Lin-Manuel Miranda You guys want to read some lyrics we wrote that didn't make the cut? 2 hours ago'

The 2011 Tony Awards were celebrated last night, June 12, at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan! BroadwayWorld was of course on hand for the red carpet bring you photos of all of the stars. Below, we bring you the first part of the complete red carpet coverage!