Laura Benanti Explains the Musicals of the 2017-18 Broadway Season

Laura Benanti is back with her annual primer on the new musicals of the Broadway season. This time, she returned to TheaterMania to tackle the good, the bad, and the Bruce Springsteen of 2017-18. So if you couldn't quite get a handle on what's happening in The Band's Visit or what animated character SpongeBob SquarePants focuses on, this is the video you've been waiting for.

[@jennhiemstra]

The saltiest shade of the My Fair Lady joke that we all knew was coming... 10/10 for Laura who needs some popcorn to go with that salt.

[@phillgreenland2390]

And now the role is hers.

[@themripley]

I want her to do a theatre podcast so badly.

[@daltonurda6955]

Can we all just talk about how she is Eliza now after that hard pass comment. We love a glow up

[@jennifleur912]

I just saw her in My Fair Lady. Her voice is stunning! She is so incredible!!!

[@snuckeys]

I would die for Laura Benanti

[@leighjob5011]

madison oh mood

[@sofeashabani]

I CHOKED AT THE MY FAIR LADY DIG

[@bradenmills624]

Especially since she's wanted the revival for so long!

[@ChickenGeorgeClooney]

That's a very accurate description of The Band's Visit

[@soniasviolin]

AND NOW SHE'S ELIZA IN MY FAIR LADY

[@sendwhitesupremaciststothe8618]

I want Laura to narrate everything...

[@-kaitlynmalone-3363]

I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN SHE THREW THE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS SHADE

[@101selenagomezlover]

that my fair lady shade was truly all i've been waiting for

[@isabelladippel9649]

I’m so glad she finally gets to be Eliza

[@sammiglosemeyer3748]

THE MY FAIR LADY ONE! I AM DECEASED!!!!

[@evebegelman3963]

Sammi Glosemeyer ikr it was so funny lol

[@MsBroadway209]

I was hoping she’d say something about My Fair Lady. That’s like her dream role

[@AHatredOfEs]

All I've gotten from this is that Laura thinks the only good (new) show on Broadway right now is Once On This Island.
And she's right.

[@Johanna.EG.]

Once On This Island is a revival, not a new show.

[@gts3630]

i think she means new as in not long-running since a previous season

[@AHatredOfEs]

I mean new as is started this season but yeah I could have worded that more clearly

[@AiyanaWolfe]

Hey carousel is pretty good
But yeah I agree

[@dynamicraspberry2007]

two years late but The Band’s Visit SLAPS

[@LPM12]

She would’ve been amazing as Eliza!!!

[@mayadg16]

This is the shit that we love and it gets better every time. Lmao😂

[@lilahgene6008]

It hasn’t even started and I love it.
Actually this video is pretty accurate 😂😂 I love it so much

[@whatdoyousuppose]

1:09 LITTLE DID SHE KNOW DREAMS DO COME TRUE 😭

[@crazyguy98456978]

The Bruce Springsteen one is on point

[@SamTuckerSmith]

YES SHES BACK

[@IzumisChild]

The tea is strong with this one.

[@abigailford9032]

I need her back on broadway right now.

[@oliviaperez7979]

WE ALL SAW MY FAIR LADY COMING AHHHH

[@kaitlyncarroll3314]

I look forward to these videos every season

[@matthewcampbell3180]

I say this to all my friends and I stand by it....if I ever win the lottery, I'm producing a revival of My Fair Lady for the sole purpose of casting Laura Benanti as Eliza Doolittle.

[@TT-xn3rd]

“Home for the Holidays is not a real show” 😂😂😂

[@GaH.Hassan]

These videos make the entire season for me 😍

[@user-oq6ol5fi2w]

i wait for these every year

[@banrions]

Yesss good. Also the shade at the end way brilliant:)

[@lauramanzor9008]

Yass the queen Laura

[@nathankuhns]

She should have been in my fair Lady. For fucking sure.

[@skypeters3034]

I haven't even seen her live and I love her

[@maysaaalikhan962]

YAAAAAS. I LOVE THESE

[@halie3347]

I’ve been waiting for this for awhile

[@lorealnovoa1681]

LAURA BENANTI FOR TONY HOST 2019.

[@carolinerideout4251]

my favorite tradition

[@sisi2654]

She's my idol!!!

[@esme9763]

yes my queen whos shady

[@MastigosAtLarge]

SHE SAID HI TO ME

[@hayleyhjw]

Margaritaville 😭😭

[@Nebulas17]

What's up hailey

[@josiefrostnews]

I HAVE THAT SHIRT!!!!¡

[@josiefrostnews]

yeah I’m never gonna get over this

[@josiefrostnews]

I don’t even wear it but I’m going to now

[@josiefrostnews]

it’s from h&m

[@josiefrostnews]

this is the best thing to ever happen to me

[@robertakorse]

QUEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!! Summer is about.. Not winter😂

[@jasonBGI]

That's cool and all Laura but can you do it as Melania Trump? Kthxbai

[@ddcsddcs]

I really don't want to be mean, but I HATED Lauren Ambrose's performance as Eliza.

[@violetta7853]

Why does she keep insisting she should have played Eliza in My Fair Lady? Eliza is 20 Laura is like 40. Why is she so bitter about it? Also do all her fans who said she should have been in it know anything about the show or the character? I know this is supposed to be funny but this has been going on for months

[@eamonnoshea6834]

Violetta Sele the lady currently playing Eliza on Broadway is a few months shy of 41.

[@emmamarshall8561]

The actress on Broadway playing Eliza is both 40 and is 2 years older than Laura...Maybe give Google a quick scan next time?

[@violetta7853]

Zodiac I know that and I was REALLY disappointed when I heard of her casting

[@violetta7853]

Emma Marshall I know how old she is and I was as just disappointed in her casting. I can’t understand why they couldn’t cast an actress the right age.

[@emmamarshall8561]

I don't know, I appreciate the perspective but Audrey Hepburn was about 40 when she did it...What are you basing this on? The text? Cause if we're doing that they are going to have to change how they cast a lot of shows...It's not like there is a shortage of parts for 20 year old sopranos.