Laura Benanti Joins "Women on the Verge" Musical

#1

Laura Benanti Joins "Women on the Verge" Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 2:50pm

If playing a woman who was driven to a life of striptease by the most overbearing stage mother in show business history did not leave Laura Benanti in a state of mental collapse, her next role just might: Ms. Benanti will reunite with her “Gypsy” costar Patti LuPone in Lincoln Center Theater’s coming musical version of Pedro Almodóvar’s “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” the theater company said on Wednesday.

Ms. Benanti, who won a Tony for her portrayal of Louise in the recent “Gypsy” revival, is joining the “Women on the Verge” musical as Candela, a fashion model whose lover turns out to be a terrorist. The previously announced cast includes Sherie Rene Scott as Pepa, the television actress at the center of the farce; Brian Stokes Mitchell as her boyfriend, Iván; Ms. LuPone as Lucia, Iván’s wife; de’Adre Aziza as Paulina, Lucía’s lawyer; and Nikka Graff Lanzarone as Marisa, the fiancée of Iván and Lucia’s son. (Got all that?)

The “Women on the Verge” musical is directed by Bartlett Sher with a book by Jeffrey Lane and music and lyrics by David Yazbek. Previews are to begin at the Belasco Theater on Oct. 2 with an opening night set for Nov. 4.
NYTimes.com: Laura Benanti Joins ‘Women on the Verge’ Musical

Updated On: 8/4/10 at 02:50 PM

#2

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 2:51pm

I thought there was no why I could be more excited about this show.

#3

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 2:53pm

What fun. I bet Patti put in a good word

#4

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 2:53pm

AAAAAHHHHHH!!!

#5

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:02pm

This officially has the best cast in years!

#6

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:05pm

Nice!

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"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

#7

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:06pm

Does anyone else think this cast is too good to be true?

#8

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:10pm

Poor Sherie.

#9

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:11pm

^ I have that nagging fear, but I'd holding onto the hope that it's as amazing as it seems.

#10

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:11pm

WOW. I could not be more excited. This cast is Broadway heaven.

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#11

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:17pm

Just when I thought the casting for this couldn't get any better...

#12

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:29pm

Seriously. Can we get Ethel Merman and Mary Martin in there too?

#13

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:41pm

I mean, seriously. Without a doubt, my three favorite Broadway female starlets of today. Plus the most beautiful baritone of today. Plus one of the best comedic actors of today. All in one show?!

Phenomenal. I truly cannot wait. Such great news!!

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#14

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:52pm

This show better be damn good! Because this cast is an absolute dream.

#15

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 3:57pm

Is this the role Biel played in the workshop?

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"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

#16

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:01pm

"Is this the role Biel played in the workshop?"

Yep!

#17

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:02pm

I believe so.

#18

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:14pm

I would take Benanti over Biel any day of the week! Unfortunately I was unable to catch their run in Gypsy so I'll be ecstatic to see Patti and Laura onstage together!

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http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com

#19

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:26pm

Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy joy

Gotta buy tickets!!!

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Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you. --Cartman: South Park ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."

#20

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:39pm

One of the best casts Broadway has seen in years!

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#21

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:45pm

newyorkcitytheatre.com is already selling tickets. never bought from them. trustworthy ?

#22

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:45pm

Yeah for Patti and Laura reuniting.

#23

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 4:48pm

Shaping up to be one of the MUST SEE shows of the new season.

#24

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 5:05pm

Now they're just being ridiculous. How can this possibly be the real cast?

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When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#25

Laura Benanti Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical

Posted: 8/4/10 at 5:07pm

I love Yazbek, so I hope this show lives up to the hype. It seems to have all of the right ingredients, and Bartlett Sher always seems to put out quality productions. This is a dream cast from top to bottom, so I hope if it all works that, before it ends they are allowed to film it for PBS like SOUTH PACIFIC.