Laura Benanti, who stars in the current Broadway revival of She Loves Me, drew attention to a ringing phone during a matinee performance April 30. The phone went off during her performance of “Will He Like Me.” At first, the actress softly said “hello,” and kept singing. As the ringing continued, she later said “I’ll wait” and eventually, “we’ll all wait,” and the orchestra stopped. When the ringing stopped, she picked up where she'd left off.
The actress took to Twitter the following day to announce the disturbance occurred during her “quietest, most vulnerable moment.” Read Benanti's tweet below:
Anyone saying I shouldn't have called out the ringing during my quietest,most vulnerable moment during yesterday's matinee can suck my phone
— Laura Benanti (@LauraBenanti) May 1, 2016
Benanti also posted a link to “Look Up,” a song performed with The Skivvies about theatre etiquette. “A gentle reminder,” tweeted the actress. The tune provides advice to audience members tempted to use mobile devices during a show.
“We’re acting, we’re singing. Is that your phone that’s ringing? Don’t you realize that that thing should be turned off?” sings Benanti.
Watch “Look Up” below:
She Loves Me began previews February 19 and officially opened March 17 at Studio 54. The production, directed by Scott Ellis and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, stars Byron Jennings, Benanti, Zachary Levi, Gavin Creel, Michael McGrath and Jane Krakowski. Musical direction is by Paul Gemignani; orchestrations are by Larry Hochman with dance arrangements and incidental music by David Krane.
The classic musical comedy tells the story of two parfumerie clerks who, unbeknownst to each other, are corresponding romantically. She Loves Me features a book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock, based on a play by Miklos Laszlo.
Tickets for She Loves Me are available by calling (212) 719-1300, online at RoundaboutTheatre.org and in person at Roundabout’s Studio 54 Box office, 254 West 54th St.
