Laura Benanti?calling out of performances

[Lorelai]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 3:45pm

I went to see a performance of Nine last week, very excited that I was going to see the original cast before Laura Benanti left the following week. However, when I arrived at the theatre, I found that she had called out. Someone who works at the theatre also told me she called out for a whole week for this this show near the start of the run.
This also happened two times when I was supposed to see her in Into The Woods (pre-injury) and one of my friends said he was supposed to see her in Swing and she was out as well. The more people I ask about this, the more stories I hear....so I ask.....has anyone had similar dealings with Ms. Benanti?
I think she's amazingly talented, she sounds great on the Nine CD, I really do with I could have seen her, though her understudy was great. I'm seeing Rebecca Luker in the role in a few weeks at the Actors Fund performance and I think she'll do a great job as Claudia.

Updated On: 9/3/03 at 03:45 PM

[magruder]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 3:56pm

She wasn't out when I saw Swing!, Into the Woods or Nine (which I saw recently to try to catch her before she left).

[Benzy92]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 4:17pm

I think it goes both ways. Your odds of seeing her are better than not but there are also those times when she needs to rest or is sick. I saw her twice in Into The Woods, once in Swing, and once in Nine w/o any problem.

[tpdc]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 4:18pm

She was out the Saturday matinee in May two weeks before the Tonys when I saw NINE and again that evening when my friend who is a Tony voter saw the show. Who did you see as Claudia? Elena Shaddow? That's who I saw and I thought she was wonderful. Other people I know who saw Shaddow liked her very much as well. My Tony voting friend went back to see Benanti but he thought Shaddow was just as good and he is a Benanti fan.

[catcher]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 5:12pm

I always have been able to catch her, BUT she does miss a lot. I just feel I have good luck... I also saw Side Show twice, with Emily Skinner both times!

Laura didn't miss a lot in Swing! or Time and Again (Was that the name? That might be a little off...), but in her last two Broadway shows she has. I think in her case it may have a lot to do with being diva and star-like. Like how the cast of Rent got after they became "stars" -- they always missed... But this is pure speculation on my part.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 5:37pm

Well, well back to her old habits, is she? This girl truly has THE worst "work ethic" of anyone on Bway. How is it that she keeps getting hired? I remember we had this arguement on the other board and it just shocks me that this behavior is acceptable to the powers that be. A tiger never changes their stripes. Back trouble my ass. She does this everytime she doesn't win the Tony and in this case, she didn't even get the nod, so I'm surprised she ever shows up at all. Updated On: 9/3/03 at 05:37 PM

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 5:39pm

I saw her once in Into the Woods.

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 5:39pm

From what I hear, Rebecca Luker is wiping up the floor with the memory of Laura. Turns out Luker can sing, act AND look beautiful! Go figure. (Laura only did the first!) Updated On: 9/3/03 at 05:39 PM

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 5:53pm

You people are ruthless...


I LOVE IT!

[skingdom]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 7:52pm

Leave the girl alone. She is beuatiful, more attractive and intriguing than Rebecca Luker.

As for her not winning the Tony, leave a girl alone.

[skingdom]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 7:53pm

Leave the girl alone. She is beuatiful, more attractive and intriguing than Rebecca Luker.

As for her not winning the Tony, leave a girl alone.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 8:57pm

Why should we "leave the girl alone" skingdom? The very *least* you can do if you've been lucky enough, to become a Bway star at a young age and make thousands of dollars a week, is to SHOW UP! PRETEND you're doing it for more than the possibility of a Tony win. Lie to me, make me think it's because you love what you DO, not because you actually love a meaningless (in the grand scheme of things), little gold statue and/or *fame*. She's not good enough for her behaviour. There are dozens of beautiful, young, new, girls waiting in the wings who would be far more appreciative and hardworking.

[jsb398]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 10:03pm

rebecca luker is awesome!!!

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 10:57pm

I saw Elena Shaddow at Broadway In Bryant Park. And I agree with skingdom. Leave her alone. I don't know where you all get that she's bitter and mean. I saw her on the street right before her Nine signing, and she looked like she was in a rush, but she stopped, talked to me, and when I didn't have a pen, asked around for one, signed my notebook, and smiled warmly and made me fall in love with her. She's beautiful, talented, and extremely kind in my opinion.

[himself]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 11:11pm

Worked with her in many capacities onstage...she NEVER missed a performance or a rehearsal and NEVER acted the diva. Truly a talent and a professional.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/3/03 at 11:36pm

I have to admit when i saw Laura in Iinto the Woods. I was not impressed with her. She was okay. Nothing to write home about. And I saw her like not even a week after the TONYS so you think they would have been all pumped up.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 9/4/03 at 1:48am

"I always have been able to catch her, BUT she does miss a lot. I just feel I have good luck... I also saw Side Show twice, with Emily Skinner both times!"


You DO have good luck! Imagine that... BOTH times!

Actually, I've ALWAYS seen Laura as well. And Emily... only once have I seen a show Emily's been in when she was out. ONCE! (She was sick and the air conditioner was broken. She had good reason to miss!)

I agree. Stop harping... you don't know what goes on in these women's lives. You have no right to judge.

[Adoma787]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:41am

Saw Laura in Sound of Music and wasnt pleased at all...Know ensemble members from the show that didn't say many nice things. Yes, 23 years old, the "girl" needs to GROW UP!

And I dont care for Luker either. God how many Maria, Lily, Magnolia, Marian's can there be!! God I am surprised Eliza Doolittle wasn't revived by Luker...come on, do something spicy Rebecca!

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 10:41am

You know, some of you people really need to get over yourselves. Who are you to say all of these mean and inaccurate things that you post. So what if she has missed performances. Actors and actresses do that. That's why there are understudies and covers. I know that I have seen Laura in Into the Woods 2 twice, and in Nine once, and she was very cordial and nice to everyone at the stage door, and she truly seemed appreciative to be working and doing what she does. Yes, she's 23, but I am sure that she is aware of how fortunate she is to be a working actress on Broadway. How do you know that she is only in it for fame, or how do you know that she only wants a Tony. God, some of the things that people post....it's unbelieveable. There is a certain poster that I know, that won't get over Laura not signing a playbill. How childish and petty. She is not obligated to be nice or sign anything at the stage door. No actor or actress is. So get over it, and move on. And yes, leave the girl alone.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 10:49am

Did you hear the story about one night when she called out during "Into The Woods" and James Lapine (the director) saw her drinking in a bar? He allegedly told her that she would never work for him again.

[jo]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 10:52am

I saw Laura on stage in NINE - and she also showed up at the Shubert Alley concert with other Broadway stars where she sang a number from the show.

[billyweeds]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 11:00am

"She is beuatiful, more attractive and intriguing than Rebecca Luker."

This is obviously a matter of opinion, and in my opinion it's utter b.s. Luker is the second coming of Barbara Cook. Benanti is a very lucky girl who is squandering her luck real fast.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 11:14am

"squandering her luck real fast" is about the BEST assessment of Benanti I've ever heard. Billyweeds, you win! Also, Mamamia, I heard the one about Lapine as well. She's got some serious "delusions of grandeur", issues. Luck or no luck ,skill or no skill, you've gotta, at the very least, SHOW UP. It wouldn't hurt to not alienate the majority of your co-workers at every opportunity as well.