Will Benanti face casting difficulty?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:01am

I don't mean to start a pointless thread about this, but I was wondering about your opinions on the topic.

Before I pose my question, I must preface it by saying that I adore her, and I believe that she is one of the most talented performers around today. Her performances in SWING!, INTO THE WOODS, and NINE were wonderful.

But, lately, she seems to be plagued with issues.

She left INTO THE WOODS early, she left NINE to star in THE VIOLET HOUR (which she then withdrew from), and now she's on leave for God knows how long from THE WEDDING SINGER.

So, what do you think? Will her brilliant talent win in the end, or do you think people might be slightly discouraged at her track record?

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:05am

It's what teachers used to tell me all the time. If two student turn in projects with excellent writing of a similar level, the student who added pictures gets the A+ and the one sans images just gets an A. It's that little something extra that pulls somebody in, or repels someone. I don't know if it will definitely inhibit what happens at this point in her career, but if it's down to her and another actress for a role, then I think it'll possibly be a factor. Still, I don't see it affecting her too much yet. Yet.

Of course, munk, we know that you want The Wedding Singer to stay open as long as humanly possible [so Benanti can return and not suffer any further issues]... right?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:08am

If we "on the boards" know her rep.
Casting people and Producers must also know.
If they adore her and want her she will be hired.
I think she is a beautiful actress and sublime singer.
But the stage 8 times a week doesn't seem to be for her.

Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:15am

well the people who cast her and all the producers are well aware of everything thats going on with her and they are willing to hire her anyway. i dont think she will face casting difficult simply because of her talent. producers may be a little reluctant but if they really want her they will have her!

[BillFinn]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:29am

I think Laura will continue to get leading lady roles, especially Sondheim shows. Her voice and acting skills are fine, but she is so technical. She is so focused on the craft. She can't be doing cute stuff like "Wedding Singer" and "Swing". She needs to be doing serious shows like "Company", "A Little Night Music", or "The Last Five Years". However, will she get hired with the reputation that she leaves a show everytime the Tonys snub her? Stuff gets old and new talent, as equally as wonderful to her, comes along everyday.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:33am

I'm sure she'll get work still, because she is talented.

If there is such a thing as an "above the title" star anymore that could come from this generation of actors, probably the main thing is that no producer will ever want to put her in that position, because her track record is just not sufficient. And it'll be a long time, if ever, she can be a Patti or Ethel, or even a Harvey, in that regard.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:55am

It was Woody Allen who once said:

"80% of any job is showing up."

And that goes for performing on Broadway as well. If you make a commitment to be somewhere doing a job 8 times a week, you've got to be there doing your job. Otherwise you shouldn't have made the commitment in the first place. There are plenty of talented up-and-comers who would die to get cast in a leading, featured, or ensemble role in a Broadway show. On Broadway, as with any other job, you earn respect by being a reliable professional. If you don't have that going for you, talent or no talent, someone new is always going to get ahead of you.

Updated On: 9/7/06 at 12:55 AM

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 1:15am

do you really think her talent is brilliant? I've seen all the productions she's done in NY and I've never witnessed anything more than a pretty voice.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 1:24am

You guys aren't taking into consideration insurance cost for a performer who has now had to bow out of three shows for health reasons. Benanti is lovely and talented, but frankly she is not going to be worth those premiums. There are lots of other lovely and talented actresses out there producers can and will cast instead.

Sadly, yes, I do think this will further damage her reputation, which wasn't great before WEDDING SINGER opened.

[OnMyWay]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 1:24am

JBJ, I agree. She's very good, but I think many people (who follow through on commitments) are better.

I know that she has bounced back from a severe injury, but if she can't complete her contracts, she should stop making them.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 1:51am

YES.

And here's why. Ms. Benanti is a FIERCE talent.

But she doesn't show up. Cherry Jones, the best actress of our generation, shows up. Benanti? Not so much.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 2:04am

Oh come on. Ms. Benanti is lovely but she's not that fiercely talented. She can't belt, dance or act straight theatre. She's a poor man's Julie Andrews.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 2:06am

Michael Bennett is wise.

[winston89]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 2:11am

I don't know where you people get your info. But, it was announced that she had to take a leave of absence for a few weaks becuse she severaly damaged a vocal chord. It was a situation if if she preformed she could end her carrear. She was not leaving because she wanted to. she is going to be back with the show in about 6 to 8 weeks.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 2:16am

"Ms. Benanti is lovely but she's not that fiercely talented. "

You know what, MichaelBennet? I think she is fiercely talented.

But she doesn't show up. Period.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 7:28am

Winston, it has nothign to do with whether her reasons are valid or not - the fact remains that she's not developing a good reputation.

And I agree...she IS fierce, and I hope things get fixed.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 7:38am

I keep wondering why nobody bats an eyelash over the fact that a certain recent Tony winner has rarely made an appearance at the Broadway theatre since her victory. This person also appeared in another Tony nominated role a few years back, and due to her attendance record, Michael Riedel dubbed the piece "Once in this Show." Benanti is not the only one in town who's not showing up.

Ms. Benanti is FIERCE talent and I hope she will be successful in whatever path she chooses.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 7:43am

I'm sure she'll get work still, because she is talented.

Yes, and if everyone who was talented got jobs just because of that, there would be a lot more actors in the world. Talent is, unfortunately, a very little part of it in this business.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 8:08am

Ms. Benanti bowed out of INTO THE WOODS because of an injury she sustained during a performance.

That injury, along with another ilness that arose during THE WEDDING SINGER, is the reason she's had to step out of the show for a while. She's finally taking the time to recover and when she returns I have no doubt that producers will want her.

A poor man's Julie Andrews? Hardly.

Every performance I've seen her in was breath taking. Especially her performance in NINE, which remains to be one of the greatest female performances I've witnessed on stage.

[Buscee]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 8:14am

I will also say that I think she is a wonderful performer, and I have seen her in Wedding Singer , and Into the Woods. With that said I think it is important to remember no matter how much people disagree. The Theatre is a business, and part of that business is making sure the audience is happy. No producer likes it when people want refunds, which doesnt happen in this case because she isnt above the title; which is probably where her career will stay. It's quite unfortunate. I would think a producer would want a performer with a better track record.

To be honest we really dont know what is wrong with her. My hopes are that she gets better, and stronger so someday she can try to work on her career. We must all remember that as much as working in the theatre is a dream come true for some;it isnt worth a thing without good health. So I wish her a speedy recovery

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 9:18am

IMO, her reputation had already been tarnished after INTO THE WOODS and NINE, but she was still hired for THE WEDDING SINGER. I do not think that her illness will affect her getting hired...if it did, she never would have been hired for THE WEDDING SINGER.

Since we at BroadwayWorld all know about her reputation for missing performances, we should all go see her in early previews or right after the show opens, which may give us the best chance of seeing her perform. I went to THE WEDDING SINGER the Friday after it opened and she was in and I thought she was wonderful.

Did she miss any WEDDING SINGER previews in NYC or any performances in Seattle? Best to see her shows early on if you want to catch her in them...

[ruprecht]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 9:58am

Michael Bennett just preached the gospel, so there's really nothing more that needs to be said.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 10:11am

I wasn't aware that this was the church of Michael Bennett.
I thought it was a forum where discussion was welcomed.
And with that.......I say..."Discuss."

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:02am

I was ALWAYS under the assumption that Michael Bennett was the poor man's MargoChanning.

Just kidding.

Michael Bennett doesn't preach the gospel. He IS the gospel.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:15am

Aren't her recent vocal problems due to smoking?