“Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares” is a solo comedy cabaret starring Tony-Award winner Laura Benanti, directed by Annie Tippe, with musical direction and songs co-written by Todd Almond and featuring Joanna Smith (bass) and Jo Huling (percussion). Originally commissioned and produced by Audible Theater, the show premiered Off-Broadway in 2024 at the Minetta Lane Theatre. It was recorded live to be released as an audio original. Last summer, Benanti performed the show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to sold-out audiences.
…a strong stage presence, a lot of charm, and an ability to connect instantly with her audience in an intimate manner…razor-sharp wit…
The show’s concept was inspired by her four-year-old daughter who hilariously told her, “Mommy, nobody cares,” while Benanti was reflecting on her past. She examines relatable themes through brutally honest and humorous observation, and uses humor and autobiographical story-telling, mixed with original songs, to focus on her recovery from always trying to please people.
Benanti started the performance with a dazzling dance and song, both exhibiting her choreographic and vocal skills. Her 30-year background of performance on stage, film, and television is immediately evident in her presentation. She has a strong stage presence, a lot of charm, and an ability to connect instantly with her audience in an intimate manner. Dressed in a casual and attractive blue blouse with pink pants and matching jacket, she began by introducing her music director/keyboardist and musicians. Todd Almond not only accompanies her but also provides harmony on some of the songs and adds occasional humorous comments to her stories. Their musical collaboration spans twenty years. She also harmonizes with herself on a recorded soundtrack.
Benanti’s acting ability is no less impressive than her singing voice. She uses her personal stories and candid tales in the style of a stand-up comic, always relating her adventures to her audience with razor-sharp wit. This show is not focused on her professional appearances but rather on her personal life as a woman trying to balance a career with a husband and children and aging as well. She uses an occasional prop to great effect: an enlarged photo, a crutch covered with sequins, and a princess toothbrush puppet.
The musical numbers further support the show’s themes, but sometimes break the momentum of her comic timing. Although not particularly memorable, the songs do showcase her strong belt voice. She crams an lot of experiences into the hour: life as a middle school, musical theatre nerd; her ingénue days post-high school; dealing with men in show business; three marriages, divorce, and the woes of pregnancy and childbirth; the lactation vs. formula controversy; postpartum depression; a serious neck injury; peri-menopause; and deciding about appearing nude as an actor.
Benanti keeps the audience in the palm of her hand throughout the show with self-deprecating humor, amusing self-awareness, and no holds-barred honesty. The experience is confessional and cathartic. I had hoped to hear more about her Broadway experiences, but was won over by her approach to the travails of life in general.
I am delighted that the new BCS season contains so many different theatrical experiences for diversified audiences. Theatre fans can look forward to many exciting and rewarding evenings.
Running Time: One hour with no intermission.
Advisory: For ages 16+. Contains mature themes, strong language, sexual content, and adult humor. This production makes use of strobe light effects.
“Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares” ran September 18-26, 2026 at Baltimore Center Stage, 700 North Calvert Street, Baltimore MD 21201. For information and to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at 410-332-0033, Tuesday through Friday, 12 noon-5 pm or go online.
