Laura Benanti

Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies, Lenfest Center for the Arts and the Andrew F. Mellon Foundation present Laura Benanti

"Laura Benanti scored big time as the Baroness Elsa von Schraeder, Maria's rival for the captain's affection. The baroness is usually set up almost as a villain but Benanti was stylish, witty and sneakily funny-her duet with Christian Borle's Max, "How Can Love Survive?," was a sly delight." ~NEW YORK POST (The Sound of Music Live!)

The Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies, Lenfest Center and the Andrew F. Mellon Foundation present Tony Award-winner and five-time Tony Award nominee Laura Benanti in two streamed events. A highly celebrated performer, Benanti has conquered stage and screen with both her wide range of acting skills and her brilliant soprano voice. 

On Wednesday, October 21, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Benanti will participate in a streamed Round Table question and answer discussion moderated and led by Jenefer Davies with Will Cantler '77, CSA, Telsey+Company and Rob Ashford '82, Tony Award winning choreographer and director. There is no charge to view the stream. For access to the livestream link and password, please email boxoffice@wlu.edu and use "Benanti Round Table Link" as the subject line. The deadline to request link access is Wednesday, October 21 at 5 p.m.

Benanti's one-woman performance includes hits from her Broadway career and upcoming album with Sony Records and will stream live on Thursday, October 22, at 8 p.m. There is no charge to view the stream. The livestream link for the performance is go.wlu.edu/lenfest-benanti-tix.

The number of access links is limited, and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. For additional information, visit https://my.wlu.edu/lenfest-center/laura-benanti. 

As an experienced and beloved Broadway actress, Benanti possesses a catalogue of recognizable tunes and unique stories. Some of her many Broadway roles include her debut at 18 as Maria in The Sound of Music with Richard Chamberlain, and a 2008 Tony Award-winning role as Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy opposite Patti LuPone and directed by Arthur Laurents. 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). Benanti made a triumphant return to Broadway fall 2019 as Eliza Doolittle in Lincoln Center's acclaimed production of My Fair Lady.

Additional 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!

Benanti recently debuted to rapturous reviews in the film Worth at the Sundance Film Festival opposite Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci. She will soon be seen in the film, Here Today, alongside Billy Crystal. Television credits include roles in Younger, The Detour, Go On, Starved Supergirl, Nashville, The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie, and The Sound of Music Live! where she received rave reviews for her role as Elsa von Schrader.

Benanti recently released a comedic book on motherhood, M is for Mama (and also Merlot), and will be releasing a full length self-titled album on October 23rd through Sony Music Masterworks..

With these experiences, her sense of humor, and her incredible soprano voice, Benanti has created a show that will keep you smiling and laughing. She brings stand-up and storytelling together, infused with expertly executed songs you'll surely recognize. For more information about Benanti, please visit www.laurabenanti.com and @laurabenanti on social.

Schedule of Benanti Events:

Wednesday, October 21, from 10-11a.m.: W&L Theater, Dance and Film Studies' class visit via zoom.

Wednesday, October 21, from 7-8:30 p.m.: W&L Theater, Dance and Film Studies' Master Class visit via zoom.

Wednesday, October 21, from 5:30 -6:30 p.m.: Benanti will participate in a streamed Round Table question and answer discussion moderated and led by Jenefer Davies with Will Cantler '77, CSA, Telsey+Company and Rob Ashford '82, Tony Award winning choreographer and director. There is no charge to view the stream. For access to the livestream link and password, please email boxoffice@wlu.edu and use "Benanti Round Table Link" as the subject line. The deadline for link access is Wednesday, October 21 at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 22, from 1-2 p.m.: W&L Theater, Dance and Film Studies' class visit via zoom.

Thursday, October 22, at 8:00 p.m.: Benanti's one-woman performance.  There is no charge to view the stream. The livestream link for the performance is go.wlu.edu/lenfest-benanti-tix.