Interview: Laura Benanti Talks NASHVILLE, 'The Secret', Connie Britton's Hair
By: Matt Tamanini Oct. 01, 2014
"The Secret" works, y'all! Don't believe me? Ask Tony-winner Laura Benanti. The Queen of Social Media (@LauraBenanti) is about to kick off a run on her favorite TV Show tonight at 10:00pm ET. Benanti will play singer/songwriter Sadie Stone, on ABC's NASHVILLE.
No doubt fans are going to love seeing her on screen opposite Connie Britton, but no one was more excited about that news than Benanti herself. Though she has had an incredible Broadway career (four Tony nominations), she has also been very visible on TV (LAW & ORDER: SVU, GO ON, NURSE JACKIE, THE GOOD WIFE) and has even mixed the two, singing on screen on THE PLAYBOY CLUB and THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!
But when I spoke to her yesterday, she said that this job feels like a dream come true; for us too Laura, for us too.
Long before you were cast on the show, you were very vocal on social media about your love of NASHVILLE; you and your friend Chelsea (Nachman), who has become a bit of a celebrity in her own right, would tweet during binge-watching sessions. So what was it about NASHVILLE that made you become such an obsessive fan?
Well, the reason I tuned in was because of Connie Britton, because I just loved FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. And then I loved the fact that they were performing, and the music was so authentic and wonderful. I just really fell in love with all the characters. I think it is well crafted, and even though there are some soapy elements to it, I feel like it is so well done. I was really drawn into the characters and their journeys.
So, Chelsea and I really just became obsessed with it (laughs) in a major way, and would watch it together, like you said, in binge-watching sessions whenever possible. So, when I got the call offering me this job, I just couldn't believe it. Chelsea literally said to me, "This is the best thing that has ever happened to us."
I was like, "I know. It really is."
To her as well, not just you?
Oh yea. Absolutely. This is the best thing that's ever happened for "Nach-Nanti."
So, how did the role come to you? Was it something that your agent submitted you for, or did Connie Britton go to the writers and say, "Write a part for Laura Benanti, or I walk?"
No, that definitely did not happen. My manager is Hayden Panettiere's manager. And I was in California, and she was like, "What show are you dying to be on?"
And before she could finish her sentence, I said, "NASHVILLE!"
So, she set up a meeting for me with Callie Khouri (series creator), we had like an hour and a half meeting, where we really bonded. So, it went really well. Then over the July 4th weekend, I got an email from Emily (Gerson Saines, her manager) saying, "They've written this part, and think you're perfect for it."
So, that's how it went down. It was pretty magical.
Wow, definitely magical. You love the show that much, your manager asks you what show you want to be on, and then it happens. How often does stuff just fall into place perfectly like that?
I mean, never. I'm like, "The Secret" worked, and all that bullsh*t about manifesting what you want, oh yea, that works. All you have to do is tweet it, and it will come.
You've worked with some big time stars in your career, so I imagine it takes something pretty significant to make you star-struck, but it seems like your character has a lot going on with Rayna, so what was it like shooting your first scene with Connie Britton?
You know, I was definitely star struck with her at first, but what was so wonderful about Connie is that, within five minutes of hanging out with her, she just makes you feel so comfortable. There isn't this sense of, "I'm Connie Britton, and you're nothing."
She's just cool to everybody. She knows everybody's names on the crew, she's just like a good girl. She's a real girl's girl, which I appreciate.
Is her hair as intoxicating in person as you imagined it would be?
It's like her hair is made of angels' wings. It's like a unicorn shaved itself, and then made love to an angel, and that is what Connie Britton's hair looks like.
I really hope you've used that exact line on her before.
I haven't, but when you print it, I will send it to her, and I will highlight that portion, and say, "Hey, these are my true feelings."
Good, I'm sure that won't creep her out at all.
Nope, she'll be totally cool with it.
So far, we know the basics of our character Sadie Stone. She's a singer/songwriter who hasn't really broken onto the big time yet, and she apparently will become a target for both Rayna and Jeff, but beyond that, what can you tell us about her; personally, romantically. Who is this character?
Well, Sadie has been divorced. I think she's been through the school of hard knocks. She's written hits for other people, but she's always been the lady behind the lady, or the man. She's never stepped out as her own person. So, she's put out an album that's made her more accessible to the mainstream. So, she's kind of hitting it big at 35, which is different than hitting it big at 25.
She has a past relationship that was really difficult for her; her husband took all her money. So, she's really starting over, and Rayna takes her under her wing in a certain way, and then anything other than that, I can't really tell you.
Ok, I was wondering where you would have to draw that line.
Right there (laughs).
I would imagine that if Sadie is working with Rayna, that you might have had some scenes with Will Chase.
Yes! I have. I've had a scene with Will Chase, which is hilarious; he's hilarious. But, I think we've got more stuff coming up too.
You two have worked together before, and you're both Broadway lifers, so what's it like for you to be working together on a TV show, not to mention one where you both get to use fake Southern accents?
Oh, his Southern accent is real. He's from the South.
I know he's from Kentucky, but I've never heard it be this pronounced.
Yea, well. You kind of learn to take out any form of dialect to be an actor, but, for this, it's just absolutely perfect for him. For me, I grew up in New Jersey, so it is a little bit more difficult for me, just because it's not how I'm used to sounding. But my mom is from Virginia, she's from the South. She has a phantom Southern accent that comes in when she gets real mad. So, I drew from that, and my character is from Virginia, so that was very helpful.
I want to deviate away from NASHVILLE for just a second. After going through that process with THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE, do you have any advice for Kelli O'Hara, who is playing Mrs. Darling in PETER PAN LIVE, about how to deal with that big live production?
Kelli O'Hara doesn't need advice from me.
Fair enough. To wrap up, you've done so much on stage, you've done so much on screen, but has there been something about this experience that has stood out and made it special?
Yes. Episode Four for me, that's my biggest episode thus far. I got to stand on the stage at the Ryman Auditorium and play guitar and sing a Buddy Miller song. Buddy Miller actually wrote it with his wife. That to me was probably the most magical experience I've had on the show. I mean, it's the home of country music. It's where the Grand Ole' Opry started. So, I felt very emotional actually. I was like, "I can't believe this is my job; that I'm playing guitar and singing in this unbelievably historic place."
Isn't she just dreamy? Laura's first, albeit brief, apperance on NASHVILLE airs tonight at 10:00/9:00C on ABC.
What are you hoping to see from Sadie Stone? Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt. Also, don't forget to follow @BWWTVWorld on Twitter and Like us on Facebook for all of the latest TV news, reviews, and recaps.
Photo Credit:
1) ABC
2) Laura and Connie Britton | Connie Britton's Official Twitter
3) Laura and Will Chase | Laura Benanti's Official Instagram
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