On November 10, Laura Benanti held a virtual press conference, where member of the press from around the country were invited to ask questions of this international star. Benanti is giving concerts to benefit nonprofit theatres around the country whose funding and resources are considerably compromised by the continued threat of COVID-19. In addition, she is launching an eponymous album of favorites--look for the review on QonStage.com.
Benanti continually spoke of how grateful she is to be able to perform for people and she wants people to feel like she is singing for them in their living rooms. With this series of virtual concerts, she feels like she is accomplishing that goal.
When asked about the future of theatre, Benanti challenged theatre companies large and small to consider how they may continue to be active while remaining COVID safe. She cited the work done in the Berkshires this Summer as an example.
The challenge of being quarantined with family has Benanti feeling very grateful for her family connections, while acknowledging that some are locked down with family with whom they do not get along. She hopes that when the world returns to being with people face to face again, that we all remember the importance of our connections, “that we are more alike than we are different.”
When asked what they did for Halloween, we learned that Benanti’s family and friends dressed like "Schitt’s Creek" characters while the kids had a little Halloween hunt, with everyone keeping physically distanced while being socially connected.
The upcoming concert will support the new album “Laura Benanti” being launched by Sony’s Masterworks label, while also providing insightful song selections and a meaningful experience as we learn more about her life. “I support progress, I don’t expect perfection from anyone … just being human with one another, connecting one with another. I like to just be who I am, where I am, with whatever state I’m in and I encourage others to do the same.”
Laura Benanti shared that Regional Tony Award Winning Papermill Playhouse is the reason why she has a career. When she was in high school, she won their very first Rising Star Award. They recommended her to a casting agent for Liesl in the revival of The Sound of Music and she ended up as understudy to Maria, ultimately taking over the role and playing opposite Richard Chamberlain! “Papermill affects the local ecosystem in a town, it was the only place I felt like myself. There’s nothing more important than the effects this has on developing brains.”
How can you tune in to the concert? Follow this link to Live on the West Side to enjoy the best musical theatre has to offer: https://papermill.org/show/women-of-broadway/. Be part of the wave of everyone rising to be the best they can be.