'Mothers Know Best' Scheduled This Month At Westport Country Playhouse

WESTPORT, CT — Westport Country Playhouse will present “Mothers Know Best,” a musical cabaret featuring Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti and her mother, singer and voice teacher Linda Benanti, on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.

The 75-minute performance, which has no intermission, explores the pair’s relationship through songs and storytelling about their careers, parenting, and family history. The show is backed by a three-piece band led by music director Billy Stritch.

Included in the show are duets such as “One More Kiss” from Follies and “Que Será, Será,” as well as solo numbers drawn from each performer’s background. Laura Benanti will perform selections from Broadway roles, including “Vanilla Ice Cream” from She Loves Me and a medley from My Fair Lady.

Linda Benanti will sing “The Man That Got Away,” a song associated with Judy Garland, whom she admired as a child.

— Laura Benanti, left, and Linda Benanti. Photo credit: Alexa Brown

“Mothers Know Best” previously played at New York’s 54 Below, where it won the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award for Best Duo Cabaret Show.

Laura Benanti is a veteran of 11 Broadway productions, including Gypsy, for which she won a Tony Award, along with Into the Woods, Nine, She Loves Me, and My Fair Lady. She currently appears on the Paramount+ series Mayor of Kingstown and has film credits that include No Hard Feelings, Worth, and Goodrich. She is also known for her recurring impersonation of former first lady Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and for her solo comedy show Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares.

Linda Benanti has performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in national tours, including roles in Brigadoon, The Fantasticks, and Camelot. After retiring from the stage, she opened a vocal studio in Kinnelon, New Jersey, where she has taught both local students and professional performers. She has returned to performing in recent years to appear with her daughter.

Billy Stritch, the show’s music director, is a longtime pianist and bandleader who served as Liza Minnelli’s musical director for 25 years and has worked with artists including Tony Bennett and Christine Ebersole. His song “Does He Love You” won a Grammy Award in 1993.

Tickets for the Westport performance are priced at $75, $85, and $95.

Sponsors for the event include Roz and Bud Siegel, with additional musical support from Brian and Meg Cotter. Barbara Streicker is the 2026 season sponsor. Media partners include Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.

Westport Country Playhouse is a nonprofit organization located at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1 in Westport.

Information and tickets are available at westportplayhouse.org or by calling the box office at 203-227-4177 (toll-free 1-888-927-7529).