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’ MusicalUpdated On: 8/4/10 at 02:50 PM
"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
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!!
"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
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!
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!!!
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."
Now they're just being ridiculous. How can this possibly be the real cast?
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
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.