Show People With Paul Wontorek Interview: Tony Winner Laura Benanti
Fresh off her run in Broadway"s She Loves Me, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti appeared on the July 19 episode of CBS"s The Late Show With Stephen Colbert unveiling her impression of Melania Trump, wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
23-YEAR-OLD DONALD TRUMPS BROADWAY VENTUREAND HIS PLAYBILL BIO
The impression came as part of the comedy show"s spoof of Mrs. Trump"s July 18 speech at the Republican National Convention, which some have noticed bore a close resemblance to current First Lady Michelle Obama"s speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention.
"LIFE WITH LAURA": Laura Benanti Teaches a Master Class for Young Actors
Actress Laura Benanti isnt a household name beyondlive theater, recent credits include a role as a troubled country singer on Nashville and Supergirls mom on the CBS show. But her appearance on Tuesdays The Late Show might change that.
In a skit mocking the plagiarism scandal surrounding aspiring first lady Melania Trump, hostStephen Colbert introduced the politicians wife and invited her to make some remarks. Benanti, who has previously discussed her resemblance to the former model, appeared behind a podium, wearing a replica of Melania Trumps bell-sleeved sheath. Benanti, a Broadway mainstay, delivered well-known lines, from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air to Dr. Seuss. The lip-pursing, cautious movements and Eastern European accent were dead-on.
Looking like and being able to give a comedic, yet faithful, impersonation of a political figure in a closely watched election can prove very good for ones career.
TakeTina Fey, who captured former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin in perfect send-up fashion on Saturday Night Live. She was already a well-known quantity, but her Palin impression is widely credited withboosting her fame. Fey, though, offered a word of caution about politician impersonations.
Some may argue that exploiting Governor Palin and her family helped bring attention to my low-rated TV show, Fey wrote in her memoir, Bossypants, of her NBC sitcom 30 Rock. I am proud to say you are wrong. My TV show still enjoys very low ratings. In fact, I think the Palin stuff may have hurt the TV show.
