Tony winner Laura Benanti (i.e. the hardest working woman in the industry) will be performing at NJPAC on November 21, in between shooting CBS' Supergirl and preparing for Roundabout's She Loves Me she took some time to answer our questions:
What have you prepared for the show at NJPAC on November 21?
Georgia Stitt and I are putting together a collection of songs from shows I have done, wish I had done, and will do in the future. I want people to feel like they are hanging out in my living room while I sing songs and tell (funny) stories.
Since the holidays are around the corner, pick your favorite:
a) Christmas song: "White Christmas"
b) Thanksgiving food: Stuffing!
c) Thanksgiving Parade balloon: Snoopy
d) Holiday movie: The Muppet Christmas Carol
e) Holiday cocktail: Hot Toddy
I still shed a few tears every time I remember you doing "Still Hurting" at Jason Robert Brown's show at SubCulture in August. Which of the roles he's written would you like to play the most?
Any of them. Any of them and all of them. Even the men.
Thank you for always pointing out how ridiculously ageist the industry is. How do you think audiences can help prevent this from being perpetuated?
Thank YOU for seeing that! I think this is a much bigger question than can truly be answered in an interview. (It's better answered over a hot toddy 😉 but I don't think Hollywood gives audiences enough credit. I think audiences are a lot smarter than they think. Sadly, you can only consume the content being created and put out into the world. As an audience member, I urge you to watch the good stuff and eschew the bad. I would give examples, but I want to keep working.
There are people who might ask for your autograph for Nashville, Nurse Jackie and Law & Order, and others who will think of you as the actress from Gypsy, Into the Woods and all the amazing stage work you've done. Do you find that there is much crossover between your TV and theater fans?
There is some crossover, but usually it's pretty separate. My theater fans definitely know me better. They know I am a silly dummy who makes funny videos and sees the world through humor. Most of my TV fans are from dramas so they think I'm very serious. My goal is to change that perception in the next year.
Is it wrong that I keep hoping you'll put some Mama Rose into Alura Zor-El?
Nothing has ever felt more right.
Supergirl's mom is pretty badass, but who should we talk to, to get you in Wonder Woman: The Musical?
I mean...that's a great question. Maybe Greg Berlanti!
You're such a master of the Twitter joke that I'm wondering if we'll ever see your feed become a book.
Funny you should mention that. I am writing one right now!!
I already have my tickets for She Loves Me, I'm coming on Valentine's Day because I'm an empowered young man who doesn't need a date (or something like that) so yay! What songs are you looking forward to doing the most?
I love this so much. Please come backstage and hug me/give me roses. Kidding. Do hug me but you don't need to give me roses. I mean, only if you want to. I'm very much looking forward to "Vanilla Ice Cream", and "Will He Like Me".
For tickets to see Laura Benanti at NJPAC click here.
