Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

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Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 4:17am

Just curious... what has it been like? She was in when I saw the show for the first time in July. She was out 4 weeks ago when I saw the show, but she was in last weekend when my friend saw it... but when I returned to the show tonight, she was out again. Her understudy was MUCH better tonight than she was 4 weeks ago, I feel like.

Is she missing a lot of shows? I miss seeing her in the show. I went to Gypsy as a last resort because most other shows' student rushes were done. I was looking forward to seeing Laura in the show (I think she's my favorite part of the production--she really makes it (with Patti, of course)). Anyone know why she was out tonight?

"If it walks like a Parks, if it wobbles like a Parks, then it's definitely fat and nobody loves it." --MA

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 4:31am

I have no idea, but when I walked by on Thursday night the board was up saying the role of Louise would be played by the understudy, so she must have been out that night too.

And hang on, when did you win the discus?

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 4:57am

Well these dates weren't planned vacation days announced ahead of time, so I wonder if she's sick or something?

According to broadwayunderstudies, Jessica Rush was on for both shows on Wednesday too.

I am seeing the show soon and would really love to see Laura again. I think I may wait 'til AFTER the u/s board is posted to buy my rush ticket just to be sure.

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 10:06am

From what I hear, she's missed quite a few performances since she won the Tony.

Love her but I'm just sayin'...

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 10:15am

Oh, you guys should know better than to ask about Ms. Benanti's attendance in GYPSY.

Some things have now become legendary... like her attendance ratio in her shows.

And nope... La LuPone ain't too damn pleased, either!

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 10:28am

Don't fret.

The BFF Squad will be here in no time to iron things out.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 11:06am

LOL, Foster.

If she is indeed missing frequently again, I can't imagine LuPone, who has been crusading about attendance, is all that pleased. I also can't imagine her holding her tongue backstage.

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 11:27am

She's doing several guest spots on "Eli Stone" this season, so her missing shows probably has to do with her jetting out to LA for a day or three to play her part.

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 11:52am

I have heard that Laura hurt her back really bad in Into the woods(doing all of those falls with the one slipper) and has had back trouble since,which may explain her attendance record... Can anyone confirm or elaborate this?

#10

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 11:57am

As Robert Taylor said, these recent absences were all scheduled so Benanti could fly out to LA and film her television show.

She split her vacation into small sections of dates so she could do as many episodes as possible, which is why she has been out for a few days at a time over such a short period.

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 11/9/08 at 11:57 AM

#11

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 11:59am

It was actually her neck that was injured. She later had surgery and has ongoing physical therapy to heal it and keep it healthy. She has discussed it in several interviews.

For the record, Laura was not out of GYPSY from April thru August. The dates in September and October were planned, for vacation and to fulfill her contract on Eli Stone, and were posted on playbill and her own website ahead of time. The days she has been out this week were because of illness and were not planned. As I understand it, there is something nasty going around the community and many shows have had people out because of it.

#12

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 12:04pm

For the record, Laura was not out of GYPSY from April thru August.

- That is WRONG. I remember Laura having bronchitis (or something similar) early in the run.

Updated On: 11/9/08 at 12:04 PM

#13

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 12:47pm

ljay889, if YOU had bronchitis (or something similar), why would Laura miss perfromances? Did she rush to your bedside as a ministering angel?

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#14

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 12:55pm

I believe it was the flu and it was shortly after opening...which would have been the first part of April.

#15

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:03pm

LOL Dollypop!

Didn’t she have walking pneumonia over the summer?

Why do people think she misses shows just because she is lazy and/or a diva? She got a lot of hate for it during The Wedding Singer when she was out having surgery. If she’s sick or injured, what can ya do?

#16

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:13pm

Not sure what you mean, but I saw her TWICE in fact in between April and August. Once in May and again when I went in late July. She was there and fantastic both times. Obviously I can't speak for her attendance as of late, just what I saw.

Updated On: 11/9/08 at 01:13 PM

#17

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:14pm

I believe all of her absences were scheduled because of her commitment to "Eli Stone." She needed to fly out and shoot her guest appearances. I've heard nothing about her being sick.

:waits for people to attack him:

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

#18

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:16pm

A statement released by Benanti's publicist in April:

"Broadway actress, Laura Benanti, currently starring as Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy, will be unable to perform during this week's Tuesday – Thursday’s shows under her doctor's instructions. Benanti has been diagnosed with walking pneumonia, but her doctor is optimistic that she will be able to return to the production by this Friday."

#19

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:26pm

^ I knew there was something.

#20

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:31pm

FYI -- I wrote and released that press statement AND was paid handsomely for it, too.

#21

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:36pm

Sure you did, Brody.

Sure you did.

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

#22

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:49pm

Yuh-huh, I did. You can even ask Stacey if you don't believe me!

Oy!

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

#23

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:50pm

Right...

#24

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:57pm

Laura was out last night, as I was there. Jessica did fine work, but still really can't hold her own once the "transformation" occurs. Her ego seems forced and her confidence all seems very, very fake.

Laura has bronchitis right now. She performed the matinee yesterday but her doctor told her to go home. Even the house staff could tell how sick she was... Her attendance to this show has been the best it's ever been.

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#25

re: Laura Benanti's Attendance Record in Gypsy?

Posted: 11/9/08 at 7:32pm

i heart you, Brody.

Benanti always has attendance issues, but from what I hear she's doing a better job than usual in Gypsy.

I'm sure if there wasn't a legit reason for her to miss shows, Riedel would be SO far down her ass by now.

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