Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Photos: FUNNY GIRL Star Julie Benko Marches Her Mardi Gras Band Out At Birdland!

Julie Benko currently performs every Thursday as the alternate for Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway.

On Monday, February 6, Broadway's Funny Girl Julie Benko marched her band out at Birdland in celebration of Mardi Gras!

Joined by six instrumentalists (including her jazz-pianist spouse Jason Yeager) performing in the classic New Orleans jazz style, Julie let the good times roll with a delightful potpourri of tunes inspired by her love of the Crescent City. The entire company opened the show with a parade through the sold-out house, handing out beads and causing some serious show biz havoc.

Julie Benko currently performs every Thursday as the alternate for Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway. Other Broadway/National Touring credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, and Spring Awakening. A recipient of the Wilde Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Girl in Once, Benko also won the Gold Medal and Johnny Mercer Award at the American Traditions Vocal Competition in 2017. Her albums Hand in Hand (Club44 Records) and Introducing Julie Benko were released to widespread acclaim.

Pianist/composer Jason Yeager has performed across five continents at such noteworthy venues as Carnegie Hall, the Blue Note, Panama Jazz Festival, Qintai Concert Hall, and more. A 2nd place winner at the Ravenscroft Jazz Piano Competition and two-time finalist at the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, Yeager has released seven albums as a bandleader, including his latest,Unstuck in Time: The Kurt Vonnegut Suite (Sunnyside Records). Yeager's septet, featuring special guests Miguel Zenón and Julie Benko, will celebrate the release of this work at Birdland on March 27, 2023. His celebrated duo album with Julie Benko, Hand in Hand (Club44 Records), has been called "an impressive outing" (Broadway World) and "exquisite" (Times Square Chronicles). A committed educator, Yeager is Assistant Professor of Piano at Berklee College of Music.

Photo Credit: Kevin Alvey

Funny Girl
Michael O''Brien, Evan Christopher, Ronald Wilkins, Andy Warren, Julie Benko, Jay Sawyer, Jason Yeager

Funny Girl
Julie Benko, Jason Yeager

Funny Girl
Jason Yeager, Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko, Jason Yeager

Funny Girl
Julie Benko & Band

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Ronald Wilkins, Evan Christopher

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Jason Yeager

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Jason Yeager, Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Andy Warren

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Jay Sawyer

Funny Girl
Michael O''Brien

Funny Girl
Julie Benko, Band

Funny Girl
John-Michael Fiumara, Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Dan Fortune, Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Karen Akers, Julie Benko, Gianni Valenti

Funny Girl
Karen Akers, Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Maia Katz, Julie Benko, Courtney Martin

Funny Girl
Julie Benko, Gail Benko

Funny Girl
Miriam Ali, Julie Benko, John Manzari

Funny Girl
Lumiri Tubo, Julie Benko

Funny Girl
Alexandra Genovese, Juliette Anderson, Caroline Stroud, Julie Benko, Landon McFee, Shay Brymer, Haley Keizur

Funny Girl
Julie Benko, Jim Caruso, Jason Yeager

Funny Girl
Julie Benko, Rick Hinkson, Jason Yeager

Funny Girl
Marilyn Maye, Julie Benko



Related Stories
Lea Michele Will Be Out of Todays FUNNY GIRL Matinee Photo
Lea Michele will be out of today's matinee performance of Funny Girl on Saturday, March 25. Julie Benko will be on as Fanny. 

Lea Michele to Return to FUNNY GIRL This Weekend Photo
Lea Michele will return to performances of Funny Girl on Broadway this weekend.

Lea Michele Out of FUNNY GIRL Performances Today Photo
Lea Michele will be out of both performances of Funny Girl on Wednesday, March 22. Julie Benko will be on as Fanny. 

Paolo Montalban and Anne L. Nathan Join Cast of FUNNY GIRL Photo
Paolo Montalban and Anne L. Nathan will assume the roles of Florenz Ziegfeld and Mrs. Strakosh in Funny Girl on Broadway. We have all the details!

Buy at the Theatre Shop

T-Shirts, Mugs, Phone Cases & More



More Hot Stories For You


Full Cast and Creative Team Set to Join Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges in BROKEBACK MOUNTAINFull Cast and Creative Team Set to Join Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
March 30, 2023

The full cast and creative team have been announced for world premiere of Brokeback Mountain, a new play with music, written by Ashley Robinson with songs by Dan Gillespie Sells, based on Annie Proulx's short story, and directed by Jonathan Butterell.

Wake Up With BWW 3/30: LIFE OF PI Opens, Plus a Message From Billy Porter!Wake Up With BWW 3/30: LIFE OF PI Opens, Plus a Message From Billy Porter!
March 30, 2023

Top stories: Life of Pi opens tonight on Broadway, read reviews for the tour of Into The Woods, plus watch a video message from Billy Porter in honor of BroadwayWorld's 20th anniversary!

Photos: Bobby Cannavale Pays A Visit To THE LION KING On BroadwayPhotos: Bobby Cannavale Pays A Visit To THE LION KING On Broadway
March 29, 2023

Acclaimed actor Bobby Cannavale attended The Lion King on Broadway Wednesday, March 29, 2023. See a photo from his visit as he checks in with stars L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa) and Tshidi Manye (Rafiki).

Nikki M. James, John-Andrew Morrison, Jackie Cox & More to Take Part in 37th MAC AwardsNikki M. James, John-Andrew Morrison, Jackie Cox & More to Take Part in 37th MAC Awards
March 29, 2023

Presenters and performers have been revealed for the 37th Annual MAC Awards! See who is taking part, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Rosé, Loren Allred, Jackie Cox & More to Join TITANIQUE's ALL ABOARD! BenefitRosé, Loren Allred, Jackie Cox & More to Join TITANIQUE's ALL ABOARD! Benefit
March 29, 2023

Tye Blue and Fiercely You Entertainment will present the one-night-only concert All Aboard!, a queer extravaganza. See who is taking part, and learn how to purchase tickets!