Thursday August 14th 2025
Laura Benanti performing 'Nobody Cares'
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Laura Benanti graced the Fringe stage with a one-women comedy show, blending story-telling, stand-up and original songs. Sporting bright pink trousers, the American actress and singer displayed her performance abilities to the large audience at Underbelly Bristo Square’s Ermintrude venue.
Being her first ever Fringe performace, the Tony Award winning actress debuted her autobiographical show ‘Nobody Cares’ at this year’s festival. Benanti used all of her broadway and acting abilities to provide a hilarious and entertaining experience that told story’s from her life of fame to her recent experiences as a mother.
Opening the show with an original song, a live band supported her throughout the show, playing music and adding sound effects to Benantis punchlines. Co-written and co-produced by Benanti’s close friend Todd Almond who played the key board in the band, he added a great addition to the performance, butting into jokes to make humorous commentary.
With previous work on broadway productions and films such as, Tick, Tick…Boom! and She Loves Me, Benanti showcased both her acting abilities and singing skills, whilst also providing creative standup that left the audience in stitches.
Naming her show ‘Nobody Cares’, due to the show surrounding stories from her own life, the audience reaction proved that people do care with her life story’s being full of humour, emotion and life lessons.
The performance took us through Benanti’s life, going into emotional detail about her experience with post-natal depression and perimenopause but with the addition of witty stand-up, joking about her experiences. An example of this was during her story surrounding her dating experience in her 20’s and her two previous marriages, going into emotional detail about her life-long need to please people but with the addition of creative jokes and hilarious storytelling.
Benanti’s blend of comedic storytelling and songs allows for her to both take the audience through a journey of her life and showcase her broadway abilities, with her singing ability being one of the highlights of the show. The musical elements were of similar theme as her story’s, bursting into song following punchlines in her standup allowing the songs to add more context and comedy to her jokes by singing about topics discussed in her stand-up.
With the main theme being her need to please people, this allowed for the show to be both emotional and comedic. This theme explored her bad traits and traumatising moments in her life, humanising the Hollywood actress.
Benanti’s audience engagement was very strong, encouraging the crowd to sing along to songs and chatting to members of the crowd. Taking care to include the entire audience, she made everyone feel involved in the show which was reflected in the reaction the audience gave back to her.
Using her rich chemistry with Todd Almond, the addition of his presence only excelled the comedy, allowing Benanti to display her acting abilities through interactions with the band member.
From the way she told heart warming story’s to her hilarious stand-up abilities, the combination of music, storytelling and comedy provided a unique experience. The singer and actress brought all her years of experience to this year’s Fringe with her debut show being a must-see.
To see a successful Broadway and Hollywood star perfectly display her talents on stage, alongside an hour of hilarious witty humour, Laura Benanti’s show ‘Nobody Cares’ is up there with this year’s top Fringe performances.
£15, 4:55pm at Underbelly Bristo Square – Ermintrude
5/5, hilarious performance displayed by a talented broadway star.
