Right now, everything is loverly for Laura Benanti.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:Eliza Doolittle is one of the most iconic roles in Broadway history.
This has been my dream part literally my entire life.
Credit: © Joan Marcus, 2018
Its genuinely a dream come true and Im not just saying that.
Did you used to sing along in your living room?Oh, of course!
I would sing along until I finally could hit the notes.
Joan Marcus
This has always been the pinnacle of pinnacles.
But this was absolutely the No.
I knowyouve previously saidyou ended up passing on the Eliza audition for this the first time around.
Joan Marcus
How difficult was it to make that decision?My lifelong dream was also to be a mom.
So, was it disappointing to think I would never be able to play this role?
But it was far outweighed by my gratitude for being the mother of Ella Rose.
And what was your reaction when it came back around to you?I was so grateful.
It was such a good lesson in truly letting something go.
It wasnt like I was holding onto it and begrudging the production or anything.
And if its not meant to be yours, it wont.
Because it feels like such a revelation.
Certainly in this era, that is a very welcome thing.
That can be really tough on your voice.
Youve played a lot of vocally demanding roles where does this fall on the spectrum?
Is it the hardest?Yes.
This is the most vocally demanding Ill probably ever have to do maybe.
Unless somebody writes me something harder in which case how dare they?
But I think [theres also] the fact that shes everything.
Its not like he plucks her from obscurity; she goes to his home.
You were born into the class you were born into and you stayed there.
How does jumping into this after its already been running compare?
Was it a new challenge?One-hundred percent.
Ive been joking that its like jumping on to a moving train but youre supposed to be driving it.
Im supposed to be the conductor but its already speeding [laughs].
it was not a typical 9-to-6 rehearsal period.
Rehearsing by myself with [Jennifer Rae Moore] our stage manager and no other actors was hilarious.
Fortunately, shes so wonderful and Maggie Burrows, the assistant director is so wonderful.
[Director Barlett Sher], when he could be there, was so helpful.
It definitely was not when I anticipated in terms of rehearsals, but we made it work.
So the very first day I met him was the night that we went on together!
Thats kind of perfect for those roles, though.Totally.
Sometimes you’re able to get into a rhythm, and its actually not good.
We did not have that option.
The set is built on many rotating turntables.
I had literally one day.
I got pretty nauseous the first couple of times.
My quick changes are in a a closet onstage, so Im literally changing my clothes while it rotates.
All of Elizas costumes are astonishing.
Do you have a favorite?Certainly the dress at Ascot is bananas.
That hat its also so heavy.
But the ball gown is amazing.
Theres so much discussion of class.
Theres so much discussion of gender roles.
Its very of the moment in terms of all that.
To me, it feels like a feminist production.
Are there shows you think really just dont work anymore?I dont know.
I would have to take that question with me and get back to you.
Just because something is revived doesnt mean were co-signing that eras beliefs.
Were showing there was a period of time in which these things happened.
Is that something you love to dig your teeth into?
Do you think its important to tell a more complicated story than just an old-fashioned happily-ever-after?Yes.
Thats something I loved aboutInto the Woods.
Its something I loved aboutGypsy.
Certainly Amalia inShe Loves Me, that was more happily-ever-after.
But in this version ofMy Fair Lady,this is notand she lives happily-ever-after with a misogynist.
Audrey Hepburn or Julie Andrews?Julie Andrews, what are you insane?!
[Laughs] Shes my idol.
I was like, In your FACE, Audrey Hepburn!
In addition toMy Fair Lady, you also recently produced an album.
I produced it with my friends Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Lynn Pinto.
Its a dual language childrens album.
You canget it anywheredigital music is streaming.
Not a single person involved in the making of the album made anything.
Im really, really proud of it.
