In 1970, starred opposite Lauren Bacall on Broadway in Applause, musical
adaptation of the movie classic, All About Eve (1950). Bacall played fading Broadway star Margo Channing (Bette Davis ' role in the film) and Penny played conniving, grasping actress Eve Harrington
(Anne Baxter's role).
Trained for her craft at Illinois' Northwestern University.
Was twice-nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1970 as best
supporting or featured actress (musical) for Applause and, in 2001,
as best actress (featured role - play) for Neil Simon's The
Dinner Party.
Made her Broadway debut in 1962 in A Moon Besieged. She later
served as a starring replacement in popular '60s Broadway hits such as Barefoot in the Park, as Corrie, and Cabaret, as Sally Bowles.
Has one daughter, Heather Kinlaw, who has graduated from public policy school.
Penny and Paula Prentiss were both in the play, "Wonderful Town", at Northwestern University, where they were both students.