By Claire DeMarco
Laura Benanti, Tony award winning artist opened the first event in the 2024-2025 Trust Cabaret Series on Monday, October 14.
Benanti started off with a recap of “My Fair Lady”, interjecting between vocals her comedic telling of the well-known musical. Her voice is spectacular and powerful as she sang “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” (with a Cockney accent), “The Rain in Spain” and “I Could Have Danced All Night”.
Her comedy chops were highlighted as she took us on a journey through many aspects of her theatrical career and personal life. Only eighteen years old at the time, she interjected the adventure and mishaps encountered as she played Maria in the “The Sound of Music” as she sang that famous theme song.
In 2002 Benanti played Cinderella in “Into the Woods” and we segue into her own Cinderella story (she thought) with a fellow actor. It turned out to be not so enlightening but as usual, the way she told it was hilarious.
She fondly remembered and praised the late Chita Rivera who was kind to her, especially when Benanti broke her back. Benanti starred with Chita and Antonio Banderas in “Nine.”
She paid homage to her mom who gave up a promising singing career to rear her and her sister.
Benanti proudly announced that’s she’s been married for twenty years. After a pause she coyly indicated that it wasn’t to the same person. The discussion then continues about those other marriages, again told in a hilarious way.
Her impression (vocal and facial) of a former first lady was spot on.
She had an instant rapport with the audience, often directing her comments with asides and facial expressions especially for their benefit. With excellent timing, a beautiful voice and a touch of self-deprecation, she held court.
During the evening Benanti mentioned that she was a people pleaser, always wanting to please others but now “on a people pleasing recovery journey”. Fortunately, she hasn’t fully recovered because a “pleased” (very pleased) audience enjoyed time with this multi-talented artist.
Excellent piano accompaniment by Todd Almond.
The next show in the Trust Cabaret Series is on Monday, November 18, 2024 featuring Jason Robert Brown.
-CED
Laura Benanti was presented by Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, part of the 2024-2025 Trust Cabaret Series on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 9:30pm in the Greer Cabaret Theater, Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For information on upcoming shows, click here.
