In the Next Room Star Laura Benanti On What Makes Her Room Magic

Broadway.com continues its look at the dressing tables of Broadway's brightest with a trip to the Lyceum Theatre, the place Tony Award winner Laura Benanti currently calls her "home away from home." After over two months (the limited engagement began previews October 22) as the leading lady of Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play, Benanti has collected a variety of dressing room adornments as sweet and whimsical as the play itself—and she's not afraid to share them. From an 80s-tastic family portrait to a femme gift from her costar to a drawing from a "magical" child, here's a closer look at a few of the things that make this star's personal space shine.

Photo by Jenny Anderson for Broadway.com

 
“This is a picture of my family. When I was seven, my sister was one. I just love how 80s it is. All of our personalities are totally intact. My sister is so fun and cute. My mom is so happy. My dad is the coolest. And I’m just a tiny bit stressed out. You can tell I’m going, ‘Is that really how you’re going to take the picture? Are you sure? Do you need me to take it?’ That’s kind of my personality.”

 
"This is something [co-star] Maria Dizzia made for me. It’s a special delivery with a huge heart and a tiny ladybug. I was having a sad day and she drew it for me.”

 
“That was made by Sarah Ruhl’s daughter, Ann, who is three. She calls me by my first and last name. If you look really closely, it looks like an angel flying. It’s definitely one of my favorite things, because I’m obsessed with her. I think she’s a magical child. Everytime I see her I go, 'She’s magic!'”

 
“My dresser, Tree, and I have worked together since 2003, when I was in Nine. She’s one of my best friends. I’m grateful that she’s been able to come with me on every show thus far.”



"This is a courage angel that my acting teacher, Elizabeth Browning, gave me. This reminds me of one of the exercises she has me do in her class. Sometimes when I get scared and intimidated, I get little instead of big. So she found this angel to remind me to be big.”