Actress Laura Benanti is known for her impersonation of first lady Melania Trump on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and for the many Broadway musicals she has appeared in.
But now Laura and her mother, Linda Benanti, are returning to their home state of New Jersey to perform at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. Linda has returned to the stage after nearly 40 years away.
"It's time. It's time for her to reclaim herself a bit,” Laura says. “She's always been a person who puts everybody else first. It's the time of her life where she can prioritize herself more.”
The two will be performing Broadway hits in their show entitled "The Story Goes On" on Saturday, Oct. 12.
But what is it like to act on stage as mother and daughter?
“I’m glad we're getting to air this on television,” Linda joked. But she added, “You know what? It’s just been so much fun.”
Linda says that returning to the stage after all this time was horrifying at first, but that she became more comfortable.
“I just started reflecting on things that had affected me growing up, to be a musician. And it sort of - the thoughts came together and I realized I do have a point of view. I do have these ideas. I have a story to tell and let me focus on my point of view and these ideas,” she says.