Laura Benanti 'Blames it On Her Youth' Monday Night February 7th

Tony-nominated Laura Benanti embarks on Monday night, February 7th in a new solo show at Feinstein's at the Regency giving audiences a chance to see her as they've never seen her before. Doing her first show of what she describes as "almost all standards," Laura will be singing hits from her career so far, as well as songs she hasn't yet gotten to sing, from parts she hasn't yet gotten to play.

The star describes herself as nervous, since it's her first time doing the show, which she's titled "Blame it On My Youth." Aside from being the title of the show, and one of the songs she'll be performing, it also serves as a theme. "I picked that title," explains Laura "because I started in this business at age eighteen in the Sound of Music, and I made all the same mistakes that young people make - I just got to make them on stage every night."

Along with songs like "Hit Me with a Hot Note," "Skylark," "Unusual Way," and "Sound of Music" that she's become known for on stage, she'll also be telling some of those stories along with other anecdotes from her career. On top of those classic tunes, she'll be singing standards ranging from "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" to "Honey Pie" and a medley of songs that she would never get to sing on stage. In addition to the standards, she'll also be singing one of her own tunes - "Isn't Life a Ball" which audiences might recognize from her BroadwayWorld.com Joe's Pub concerts, and a new Cole Porter-esque tune written by boyfriend Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors.

Backed up by piano, bass and guitar, the concert is part of "Broadway's Brightest Lights" series at Feinstein's at the Regency. For the show, Jamie McGonnigal (Children of Eden, Pippin Concerts) will direct and James Sampliner (BKLYN, Radiant Baby) serves as Music Director. The performance will take place at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

Laura Benanti is a critically acclaimed actress who has starred on Broadway and in film and television. Benanti most recently had a leading role in the FX pilot "Starved." She also shot her first independent feature Social Grace which was directed by B.D. Wong. This past summer she played the role of 'Anne' in A Little Night Music at the LA Opera House. Benanti was last seen on Broadway opposite Antonio Banderas as 'Claudia' in the revival of Nine (Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination).

Benanti played 'Cinderella' in Broadway's Into the Woods (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk nomination, Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, LA Ovation Nomination). She received a Tony nomination for her role in Broadway's Swing. Other Broadway and off-Broadway credits include 'Maria' in The Sound of Music opposite Richard Chamberlain, 'Eileen' in Wonderful Town (City Center Encores!) and 'Julia' in Time and Again (MTC). Regional credits include Man of La Mancha (Paper Mill Playhouse); Road to Hollywood (O'Neill Theater Center); and 'Perdita' in The Winter's Tale (Williamstown Theatre Festival). Laura has been a part of many readings, workshops and recordings. She also writes and performs her own music.