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by Michael Portantiere



    I'M A PRETTY GIRL, MAMA!

    There was much joy at Sardi's on Tuesday evening, June 3 as Laura Benanti, who earned her third Tony Award nomination this year and won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her performance in the title role of Gypsy, received another of the theater's greatest honors: Her portrait was unveiled and added to the world-famous collection displayed on the restaurant's walls.

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    Benanti's friends and colleagues gathered for the event, as did the press. Here's the "reveal," courtesy of Sardi's co-owner Max Klimavicius.

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    Benanti signed the portrait: "This is better looking than I am!!! Thanks, Max! Love, Laura Benanti."

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    As you can see, the artist did an excellent job of capturing Laura's likeness.

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    Here's lovely Laura with her Gypsy co-stars: Boyd Gaines (Herbie), Patti LuPone (Mama Rose), and Leigh Ann Larkin (June).

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    "Mama, I'm pretty. I'm a pretty girl, Mama!"

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    Among those who turned out for the event were Kevin Cahoon and Sara Gettelfinger, who respectively appeared with Benanti in The Wedding Singer and Nine...

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    ...and Mary Beth Peil, who also appeared in Nine.

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    Here's a parting shot of Benanti with her equally gorgeous and talented husband, Steven Pasquale.

    Wednesday, June 04, 2008 at 7:21 AM | Item Link


    Michael Portantiere comes to BroadwayStars with more than 30 years' experience as an editor and writer for such media outlets as TheaterMania.com, InTHEATER magazine, and BACK STAGE. He has also contributed articles and reviews to AfterElton.com, Playbill, and Stagebill, and has written notes for several major cast albums. Additionally, Michael is a professional photographer whose pictures have been published by THE NEW YORK TIMES, the DAILY NEWS, and several notable websites. (Visit www.followspotphoto.com for more information.)
    He can be reached at [email protected]


    The last five columns written by Michael Portantiere:

    07/13/2010: Presidential Material

    07/04/2010: Hardy Boy

    06/29/2010: High School Stars

    06/21/2010: Falling in Love Again

    06/17/2010: A Meeting of the 'mos (and Their Friends)

    For a listing of all features written by Michael, click here.

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