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
I thought there was no why I could be more excited about this show.
What fun. I bet Patti put in a good word
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
This officially has the best cast in years!
Nice!
Does anyone else think this cast is too good to be true?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/24/09
^ I have that nagging fear, but I'd holding onto the hope that it's as amazing as it seems.
WOW. I could not be more excited. This cast is Broadway heaven.
Just when I thought the casting for this couldn't get any better...
Seriously. Can we get Ethel Merman and Mary Martin in there too?
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!!
This show better be damn good! Because this cast is an absolute dream.
Is this the role Biel played in the workshop?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/07
"Is this the role Biel played in the workshop?"
Yep!
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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
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!!!
One of the best casts Broadway has seen in years!
newyorkcitytheatre.com is already selling tickets. never bought from them. trustworthy ?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
Yeah for Patti and Laura reuniting.
Shaping up to be one of the MUST SEE shows of the new season.
Now they're just being ridiculous. How can this possibly be the real cast?
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.
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