Laura Benanti to replace Lauren Ambrose in MY FAIR LADY- Page 13

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 11/22/18 at 9:42am

SmoothLover said: "Who is replacing Harry and Laura in January?"

 

Wait, is Hadden-Paton leaving in January? 

[Fan123]

Posted: 11/23/18 at 3:24am

BroadwayConcierge said: "For Ambrose's Eliza, it felt like we had reached the end of an extraordinary arc for the character. With Ambrose, the vulnerable, ambitious, tender Eliza that we started off with in "Loverly" had evolved into a woman of immense resolve, dignity, and strength. A woman no longer seeking a change in her station, but who is now grappling with how to come to terms with a man who has changed her life profoundly and yet challenges her core. As I said before, I was nowhere near as moved during "Without You" by Benanti's Eliza, who did not really seem to have been as affected or changed by everything that had happened until that point."

I've never seen a live production of this show, but on the page and in the film, I personally find Eliza's arc to be somewhat circular, to mix the geometry metaphors. And not necessarily in a bad way. Towards the start when she asks for lessons, it seems to me that she already then has the self-regard to believe that she can rise up if given the opportunity, and she already recognises that Higgins doesn't treat her well enough. She temporarily loses that sense of self-worth, but (arguably) regains it by the end, along with having gained new skills that will give her practical power to make her way in the world. She succeeds in transforming... back into herself. I haven't pored over every nuance of this show - or this thread - so was curious if any others see it in this way? It could be that it's all in how it's played, of course.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 11/23/18 at 1:44pm

BobbyBubby said: "OlBlueEyes said: "
Not only was it Lauren's Broadway debut, but she revealed in her interview with the Times that it was a very difficult period for her.”

My Fair Lady was not Ambrose’s Broadway debut She was in Awakeand Sing in 2006 and Exit the King in 2009.

"

OlBlueEyes probably meant Broadway musical debut.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 6:34pm

Can they just transfer the LCT production to the west end and film it a la King and I https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/MY-FAIR-LADY-Star-Laura-Benanti-to-Make-London-Concert-Debut-In-2019-20181206

[bryan2]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 8:00am

I somehow find it difficult to read some of these reviews and take them seriously. The minute I heard that Laura was taking over I knew the haters would be all out about how Lauren wasn't as good as Laura ..blah blah blah...the Broadway nerds (me included) always seem to go crazy over people they know and adore ….and Laura deserves it , she is an amazing talent , and dismiss talent from tv/movies.. I personally loved Laurens performance...I never felt her voice wouldn't hit the note, and really thought she took a risk in doing this show with all the haters out here in theaterland. ..Laura walks in already loved and no matter what she does she will be "better than Lauren "  but there really is no risk in her taking the role..I love Laura don't get me wrong, but Lauren was very good in this production!

 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 8:14am

I love the dismissal of people's opinions.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 8:45am

Laura missed both shows yesterday. She's sick. I really hope she's recovered by December 27 as I'm bringing my mom to see her and my mom is so looking forward to this! So get well Laura!

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 8:56am

Shes been out since Wednesday. I have a linctix ticket I need to past date because she was out that day.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 10:24am

Also of note, Benanti does not do Tuesday performances.  

Updated On: 12/23/18 at 10:24 AM

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 11:18am

The cold that's going around is REALLY bad. There's been a lot of understudies going on for the last two weeks in every show on Broadway. I caught it myself and completely lost my voice for days. I can't imagine trying to sing a musical like that.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 11:52am

Will telecharge exchange if she;s still out that day? And if she still is out is Kertin Anderson good? My mom's been looking forward to this for a long time, I want the best possible experience for her!

[VotePeron]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 12:00pm

poisonivy2 said: "Will telecharge exchange if she;s still out that day? And if she still is out is Kertin Anderson good? My mom's been looking forward to this for a long time, I want the best possible experience for her!"

Kerstin Anderson is a remarkable talent, and has a huge career ahead of her. She is flawless in this role, for being so young and an understudy. I think you and your mom will have a really lovely time, and will be able to happily say "We saw Kerstin when..."

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 12:04pm

There's clearly a bug going around Broadway. Lots of understudies and swings going on this week in a lot of shows.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 5:19pm

Something is going around everywhere. But I will say, I was at Hamilton and The Cher Show this past week and I was extremely pleased to see all principal cast members in the peformances that I attended.

[LuPita2]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 5:22pm

Yeah, she has been sick for about a week now.  I saw it this past week, several understudies.  I hope everyone is healthy soon, crappy time to be sick.  

Updated On: 12/23/18 at 05:22 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 5:26pm

ljay889 said: "Something is going around everywhere. But I will say, I was at Hamilton and The Cher Show this past week and I was extremely pleased to see all principal cast members in the peformances that I attended. "

 

Guess you caught The Cher Show on a good night. Jarrod Spector was out all weekend. Lots of swings on this weekend including Amy Quanbeck making her debut as "Dark Lady".

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 5:50pm

I think I did get lucky, but maybe not so lucky as I did miss Benanti, which led me to the Hamilton cancellation line, lol.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 6:47pm

I saw Kerstin Anderson a few months ago as my mom and I had tickets for a Sunday before Lauren Ambrose started doing only seven shows a week and she was absolutely wonderful. She's an incredible talent with a stunning voice. You'll be in good hands if you catch her, though I understand the disappointment about missing Laura. 

Also, Laura has an autoimmune disease which I'm sure makes it tougher for her to recover from illnesses that are a bit easier for other people, though it sounds like whatever is going around is nasty anyway. 

[laurensambrose]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 8:11pm

Hope Laura feels better soon!

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 8:38pm

Does anyone know if she sang in today's shiw?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/24/18 at 12:40am

Looks like Benanti will be out till after Christmas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrwI2c1Bov1/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=qlmxy4swiahv

[BenElliott]

Posted: 12/24/18 at 12:56am

I also caught this bug and my voice has been completely gone all week. Thankfully, I wrapped up a straight play this week. Singing with this would be impossible. I feel for her.

[natashalost]

Posted: 12/24/18 at 3:04am

I was there at the first show she missed and saw she was out. I was so devastated but luckily I went to the box office and they were very helpful. I had 3 premium tickets and they allowed me to exchange 2 of them and get a full refund on the third, as I requested. It was on incredibly short notice too, less than 45 minutes before the show began and they were such a help. It's worth noting Benanti's absence was not scheduled this day. Hope this helps someone!

Updated On: 12/25/18 at 03:04 AM

[vegas3]

Posted: 12/24/18 at 3:18am

I have enjoyed both Ambrose and Benanti in this production.  Ambrose took a serious dramatic approach to the role, and handled the accents really well.  Her singing was pleasant, but very soft.  Even from the front orchestra, her singing was barely audible at times.  Benanti struggles a bit with the accents, and her approach to the role is more in the traditional musical comedy tradition.  But she's a much better singer.  Weeks later, I can still hear her singing in my mind!  And when I saw her in early December, her comic timing was quite good.  So -- six of one, half dozen of the other.

Like many others, I'm a big fan of Ms. Benanti. (I've been lucky to see her in several other shows.)  I've already purchased another ticket for January.  I hope that she will be healthy and her voice will be 100%.  

 

[theminutepast]

Posted: 12/25/18 at 8:52am

Please forgive the question, because I’m sure it has been answered before, but when do we think Laura Benanti’s last performance will be in My Fair Lady?

Updated On: 12/26/18 at 08:52 AM