Tonight the Broadway revival of She Loves Me opens at the Roundabout Theater’s Studio 54. The romantic comedy stars Zachary Levi (First Date) and Laura Benanti (Gypsy). The Tony Winning actress left two big roles on Supergirl (CBS) and Nashville (ABC) to make her return to Broadway. Recently, Benanti opened up why she chose the stage over the screen.
In a recent interview with Variety Laura Benanti opened up about leaving Supergirl and Nashville for She Loves Me:
“I’ve been protecting this time slot for over a year and a half. Before I ever did Nashville or anything like that, I knew that I was going to be doing this job. Which is why I didn’t stay on with Nashville, and why I didn’t stay on with Supergirl.”
Benanti’s big dream has always favored Broadway over TV and film, as she went on to add:
“All I ever wanted to be growing up was Barbara Cook. I didn’t want to be a TV star or a movie star. I just wanted to come to the theater eight times a week and work with super-talented people and hear an audience laugh and have my heart beat at the same time as like 1,000 other people's’ hearts. For me, it was a no-brainer. No, I’m not going to be a series regular on these fantastic television shows, so that instead I can come do a limited run of this precious musical. Because I feel like it’s for my soul, you know?”
She Loves Me opens tonight at the Roundabout’s Studio 54, located 254 West 54th St. For ticket information please visit RoundaboutTheatre.org or call (212) 719-1300.
