Laura Benanti Cast Opposite Antonio Banderas in 'Take The Lead' Film

Reuniting with her former NINE co-star, Tony-nominee Laura Benanti is currently filming "Take The Lead" in Toronto. She plays the love interest of Antonio Banderas in the new film which is due out in 2006. Telling BroadwayWorld about her latest project, Laura said "I am thrilled to be working with Antonio again...he is a wonderful man as well as a generous actor. I am very blessed to have this opportunity."

Benanti is currently doing double duty, having carefully arranged shooting of both the film, and the upcoming FX sitcom, "Starved." Laura recently performed her one-woman show, "Blame it on My Youth" at Feinstein's and prior to that, appeared as Catherine in the World AIDS Day Concert of Stephen Schwartz's "Pippin."

Laura's Broadway credits include Nine (Outer Critics Circle nomination), Cinderella, Into the Woods (for which she received Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, La Ovation and Tony nominations), Swing! (for which she received a Tony nomination), The Sound of Music, Wonderful Town at City Center Encores! She also writes and performs her own original music, as showcased in the BroadwayWorld Front and Center series last August, along with Tony Nominee Gavin Creel.