Leading Ladies - September, 2009

Published: Oct. 28, 2009, 2:18 p.m.

Our four Tony Award winning Leading Ladies -- Laura Benanti (for the 2008 revival of Gypsy), Beth Leavel (in 2006 for the Drowsy Chaperone), Bebe Neuwirth (for Sweet Charity and the 1997 revival of Chicago) and Alice Ripley (for Next to Normal in 2009) -- discuss performances they've seen that have made a lasting impact on them; the moment when they realized that a life in the theatre was what they wanted; what it's like originating a role, playing a character in a revival and replacing someone in a show; the roles they never seem to get cast in; their relationship with the audience during a show and after at the stage door; and their thoughts on the audition process.