‘End of the Rainbow’s’ Tracie Bennett on American Actors and Broadway

Tracie Bennett has long been recognized as one of the UK’s most talented actresses, with a decades-long career both on stage and screen. She won her first Olivier Award in 1994 for “She Loves Me,” and took home another in 2008 for her role as Velma Von Tussle in the West End production of “Hairspray.” This year, Bennett finally crossed the Atlantic to reprise her role as Judy Garland in “End of the Rainbow,” a role she also played to much acclaim in the West End.

Her impressive performance in New York earned her a Tony nomination, and audiences nominated her for Favorite Actress in a Play, Favorite Breakthrough Performance and Favorite Diva Performance at this year’s Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards.

“I was thrilled,” said Bennett before the show on Sunday night. “I mean, we do it for the audiences. Who else?”

Bennett spoke to Back Stage about her award nominations and her Broadway experience.

Are you excited about your Tony nomination?
Tracie Bennett: You know what? It’s a big deal for somebody like me to even be on Broadway, so that was my prize. I don’t care if I don’t get any, because I’m here. We used to think about this when we were training. We never thought that we’d be here. So it’s thanks to our producers who had faith in me, and the American producers. I’m just glad I’ve been influenced by Bette Davis and Lucille Ball. I’ve loved every American comedian and every actor since a long time. In my head, they’ve helped me along the journey.

How have you liked being in New York?
Bennett: Living the dream! Completely living the dream. It’s almost like I don’t want to go home. I miss my friends, but they’re all coming to see me. So that’s the best of both worlds, right? I’m really humbled. And I’m living on 42nd Street. For an ex-dancer, that’s amazing because I’m literally pounding 42nd Street to go to work. It’s almost like a bubble. I’ll have to remember, because one day this will all end. So I just have to take the opportunities and enjoy everything and meet lovely people and remember it forever.