TV TONYS 2008: Laura Benanti on her Tony win for Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti won the 2008 Tony Award for her performance as 'Louise' in the critically-acclaimed new Broadway production of the classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents landmark musical Gypsy, directed by the show's author, Mr. Laurents, currently at the St. James Theatre. She celebrated the much deserved win with BroadwayWorld.com's Eddie Varley and special Tony Night 2008 correspondent Laura Bell Bundy, star of the hit musical, Legally Blonde.

Laura Benanti's other Broadway credits include Julia in The Wedding Singer; a 2003 Outer Critics Circle nomination for her role in the revival of Nine opposite Antonio Banderas; and Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and L.A. Ovation Award nominations, for her role as Cinderella in Into the Woods. She received her first Tony Award nomination in Swing!, and made her Broadway debut at the age of 18 as Maria in The Sound of Music, opposite Richard Chamberlain.

Producers Roger Berlind, The Routh Frankel Baruch Viertel Group, Roy Furman, Debra Black,Ted Hartley, Roger Horchow, David Ian,Scott Rudin and Jack Viertel present a new Broadway production of the great American musical Gypsy, starring Tony Award winner Patti LuPone. Gypsy reunites LuPone with co-stars Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, Gypsy began preview performances on Monday, March 3, 2008 and opened on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44 Street).

About the Tony Awards:Marking 62 years of excellence on Broadway, The Tony Awards were broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on CBS, Sunday, June 15th 2008. The 2008 Tony Awards were presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing. www.tonyawards.com