A slew of our favorite stage performers will break out baby tap shoes and glittery onesies for new little ones. If these babies grow up to be performers like their parents, the 2039-2040 season would shape up quite nicely...
Name: Baby Girl Benanti-Brown
Parents to be: Laura Benanti (She Loves Me) and Patrick Brown
Due Date: Early 2017
Prediction for 2039-2040: With Mom's striking abilities as a fast-thinking, comedic actor, coupled with her vocal chops, we know it won't be long until Baby Benanti-Brown leads a revival of My Fair Lady. Of course, she might also go Benanti’s small-screen route, aligning herself with a superhero a là The CW’s Supergirl. Lois Lane, anyone?
Name: Baby Robinson-Odom
Parents to be: Nicolette Robinson (Invisible Thread) and Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton)
Prediction for 2039-2040: If this kid is as multi-faceted as his or her versatile parents, he or she could follow in Odom’s footsteps, taking on a role in Hamilton (yes, it will still be running!). Or dig into a meaty role in a television show that favors theatre performers, such as The Good Wife. With Dad’s moves and the combined power of both their voices, we could have a brand new star if we’re willing to wait for it.
Name: Baby Huff-Yazbeck
Parents to be: Tony Yazbeck (On the Town) and Katie Huff (Evita)
Due Date: February 2017
Prediction for 2039-2040: With two heavily trained dancers for parents (Yazbeck is a Tony nominee for his triple threat performance in On the Town; Huff is a choreographer and actor), Baby Huff-Yazbeck will fly across the stage in a throwback piece such as Singin’ in the Rain or An American in Paris. And he or she would kick some butt on Dancing with the Stars.
Name: Jack Clark Tapper
New Parents: Annaleigh Ashford (Sylvia, You Can’t Take It With You) and Joe Tapper (You Can’t Take It With You)
Birthday: September 8, 2016
Prediction for 2039-2040: The greatest gift Jack could inherit from his mama is her sense of humor and timing. Stil, Ashford has conquered all mediums, including a regular role on Showtime’s Masters of Sex, musicals like Legally Blonde and Kinky Boots, and plays like You Can’t Take It With You (for which she won a 2015 Tony Award). Daddy is classically trained from Yale School of Drama, which means little Joe has teachers to help him take on any role. We can’t wait to see him display a knack for physical comedy in a revival of Noises Off, or his musical side as J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Name: Sally James McDonald-Swenson or Most Likely to Win Ten Tony Awards
New Parents: Audra McDonald (Shuffle Along) and Will Swenson (Les Miserables)
Birthday: October 19, 2016
Prediction for 2039-2040: With mom’s soaring operatic voice and proclivity for gut-wrenching performances, Sally is set to be the next generation’s dynamic leading lady. Factor in her father’s throaty baritone and smoldering eyes, and you have a singular theatrical performer at the ready. But we know that, true to her parents, Sally will have the tools to stay humble and grounded when success comes her way.
Iris Wiener is an entertainment journalist. Her work appears on Playbill.com and in TheaterMania, Long Island Woman and Long Island Herald, among other publications. Follow her on Twitter @Iris_Wiener or visit her at IrisWiener.com.
