Laura Benanti On Her Own

Nobody Cares

In a very highly enjoyable evening at the Steppenwolf Theatre, multitalented Broadway, film and television actress Laura Benenti appears “On Her Own.” It’s a cabaret production that’s part original songs and part comical confessional. This one-act performance focuses the spotlight entirely on the gifted and versatile actress, as she shares the highlights of her life in an autobiographical one-woman show. Laura Benenti admits that, throughout her life, she’s always been a “pathological people pleaser.” And as such, Ms. Benenti continues to constantly seek approval from everyone; the actress admits she simply wants to be liked, “even by people who I don’t like.”

She’s accompanied by a three-piece, onstage band that features the production’s associate music director, Sean Peter Forte, on piano, Chuck Webb on guitar and Tom Hipskind on percussion. The clever, extremely salty and sassy original songs in the show were co-written by Ms. Benanti and musical director Todd Almond. The 65-minute production, which has played to great acclaim all over the country as well as Across the Pond, is skillfully guided by award-winning director and creator of new works, Annie Tippe.

The incredibly likable Ms. Benenti claims that her cabaret performance is about being a “recovering ingenue,” but that’s just one theme from the stories she tells. Her show is more like a compilation of life lessons that the lovely, gutsy woman has learned over four decades of becoming Laura Benenti. The actress introduces herself at the start as a one-time Tony Award winner (and a four-time Tony Award loser). But this gifted and generous woman is so much more. She’s a wife of 11 years, having endured two former marriages that ended in divorce; she’s the mother of two little girls, who already sound like they’re going to be very much like their headstrong mama. And, of course, Ms. Benenti is a multitalented actress and singer, blessed with great comic timing, profound dramatic ability and a beautifully trained voice that features a vocal range that’s the envy of young actresses. 

Laura began her Broadway career at just age 18, playing Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. She went on to star in a myriad of plays and musicals, including NINE, THE SECRET GARDEN,  A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE WEDDING SINGER, SHE LOVES ME, MY FAIR LADY, PARADE and GYPSY (deservedly earning her the Tony Award for the title role). I remember enjoying Ms. Benenti paired with Derek Hough in the “Spring Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall. And talk about sacrificing for your art, when she starred as Cinderella, in the Broadway revival of INTO THE WOODS, Laura was required to perform a pratfall on stage. During one performance she tragically fell wrong and broke her neck. Ms. Bernenti had to leave the production for a touch-and-go surgical procedure and months of physical therapy.

In addition to appearing on Broadway, and recording several original cast albums, the actress has recorded two solo albums, as well. More recently, Laura Benenti has appeared in countless TV shows, such as “The Mayor of Kingstown,” “Elsbeth,” “The Gilded Age,” “Gossip Girl,” “Supergirl,” “Go On” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Additionally, Laura appeared regularly on “Late Night With Stephen Colbert” creating a hilarious impersonation of Melania Trump. She’s also been seen on the silver screen in films like “Everything’s Going to Be Great,” “Kinda Pregnant,” “Goodrich,” “The Shade” and “No Hard Feelings,” to mention just a few.

The old adage of “Always leave the audience wanting more” is certainly true here. I couldn’t believe how quickly the time flew by, and suddenly the amiable and multi-gifted Laura Benenti was bidding us good night with her closing number. Like most of the audience, I left the theatre wishing I could continue this conversation with the gutsy actress, perhaps over a drink or a cup of coffee. I wanted to tell her how much I’ve enjoyed her many Broadway performances and maybe pick her brain about some of the secrets and gossip from her theatrical experiences. But I was satisfied to simply take with me Ms. Benenti’s great connection with the audience, her candor and comedy, as well as the glorious opportunity to hear this polished professional baring her soul through personal story and song, all on her own.  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 6-9 by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 

1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling audience services at 312-335-1650 or by going to www.steppenwolf.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by going to www.theatreinchicago.com.