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Benjamin Tomchik

Benjamin Tomchik

Ben is an avid theatergoer who has seen more than 350 musicals and plays.  Some of his most memorable theatrical experiences include: accidentally insulting Andrew Lloyd Webber at a performance of Love Never Dies, attending the last Broadway performance of Elaine Stritch at Liberty and watching George Bizet’s opera The Pearl Fishers from the Presidential Box at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Ben works for a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization, and previously served in The White House.  Ben has a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Mason University and a Master’s degree in strategic public relations from The George Washington University.  

 






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES


BWW Interview: Molly Smith of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at Arena Stage
BWW Interview: Molly Smith of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at Arena Stage
March 14, 2022

Catch Me If You Can is not Molly Smith’s first musical with a con artist at the heart of it. In 2012, she directed a hit production of The Music Man, whose main character, Professor Harold Hill, could give Abagnale a run for his money. What is it about these men who have the ability to make us see what we want, and to command the stage while doing so, that lends itself to the theater?

BWW Review: Arena Stage's Confused CHANGE AGENT
BWW Review: Arena Stage's Confused CHANGE AGENT
February 5, 2022

Change Agent is a play based on historical events, in this case the life of American painter Mary Pinchot Meyer (Andrea Abello) and her relationship with President John F. Kennedy (Luis Vega). The two meet at a college dance in 1936, continually run into each other at major world events, such as in San Francisco at the founding of the United Nations in 1945, and develop a friendship and then relationship culminating during Kennedy's presidency.

BWW Review: A Subtle SEVEN GUITARS at Arena Stage
BWW Review: A Subtle SEVEN GUITARS at Arena Stage
December 4, 2021

August Wilson’s story of seven friends in post-war Pittsburgh may take a while to get started, but don’t let the slow pace or lengthy run time fool you. The play, and Arena’s production, have all the ingredients of great drama - rich characters, powerful writing, and human introspection - and together they simmer and tell a timeless story about race and economic inequality in America.

BWW Interview: Abbe David Lowell of MOCK TRIAL at the Shakespeare Theatre Company
BWW Interview: Abbe David Lowell of MOCK TRIAL at the Shakespeare Theatre Company
June 8, 2020

Held bi-annually, the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Mock Trials showcase a side of 'official' Washington too rarely seen. Bringing together the capital's top legal minds, the cases seek to entertain as well as educate. Veteran Washington lawyer Abbe David Lowell will serve as an Advocate at the upcoming June 22nd trial, and says that each of the cases seeks to accomplish four goals.

BWW Interview: Tony Sancho of MOTHER ROAD at Arena Stage
BWW Interview: Tony Sancho of MOTHER ROAD at Arena Stage
February 24, 2020

The family at the epicenter of John Steinbeck's groundbreaking novel The Grapes of Wrath forever captured the nation's heart in 1940 with a celebrated film version starring Henry Fonda. Now, Arena Stage is continuing the Joad family story with Mother Road, a play in which actor Tony Sancho finds himself carrying on the legacy of these beloved characters whose story has suddenly found renewed relevance eight decades later.

BWW Review: All Praise THE AMEN CORNER at The Shakespeare Theatre
BWW Review: All Praise THE AMEN CORNER at The Shakespeare Theatre
February 20, 2020

The Amen Corner shows the role faith can play when there is almost nowhere left to turn. This alone is a powerful statement about the American experience.

BWW Review: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY at Kennedy Center is a Dream to behold
BWW Review: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY at Kennedy Center is a Dream to behold
February 1, 2020

Yes, Washington, even in these cynical times, fairy tales do come true. For proof, look no further than the dream come true that is The National Ballet of Canada's production of The Sleeping Beauty at the Kennedy Center.

BWW Interview: Haysam Kadri of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS at Arena Stage
BWW Interview: Haysam Kadri of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS at Arena Stage
January 23, 2020

In the case of Haysam Kadri and A Thousand Splendid Suns at Arena Stage, this production is more than just a chance to revisit the role of Rasheed. It is an opportunity to return to a play he not only finds deeply moving, but one he has experienced as both an actor, director, and now as an actor, again.

BWW Review: An Exuberant FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the National Theatre
BWW Review: An Exuberant FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the National Theatre
December 12, 2019

This holiday season; skip the presents under the tree. All I want is tickets to Fiddler on the Roof at the National Theatre.

BWW Interview: DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE's Jake Epstein Recreates Another World at Arena Stage
BWW Interview: DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE's Jake Epstein Recreates Another World at Arena Stage
December 3, 2019

In Arena Stage's Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Jake Epstein is not only talking about another period, but another form of communication, one long since forgotten by society a?' letters.

BWW Interview: Richard Clifford Explores Timeless Values in a Modern Classic with the Folger's AMADEUS
BWW Interview: Richard Clifford Explores Timeless Values in a Modern Classic with the Folger's AMADEUS
November 19, 2019

For Director Richard Clifford, Amadeus is more than just a modern classic; it is also a story of friendship. His relationship with the play goes beyond the Folger and directing this production, but back to England and the play's author, Peter Shaffer.

BWW Review: WHITE PEARL at Studio Theatre
BWW Review: WHITE PEARL at Studio Theatre
November 12, 2019

Studio Theatre's production is frustrating since both the creative and acting components of this production are stellar. The real outrage is not what happens onstage, but what doesn't. And for that, the blame lies solely with the playwright Anchuli Felicia King.

BWW Interview: Extra, Extra, Arena's Molly Smith & Parker Esse Explore NEWSIES at Arena Stage
BWW Interview: Extra, Extra, Arena's Molly Smith & Parker Esse Explore NEWSIES at Arena Stage
November 4, 2019

When thinking of the great composers and playwrights whose works have graced Arena Stage, these are the names that come to mind. So when Disney's Newsies was announced for this season, it is understandable why some were shaking their head quizzically.

BWW Review: WNO's Superb OTELLO at the Kennedy Center
BWW Review: WNO's Superb OTELLO at the Kennedy Center
November 1, 2019

Giuseppe Verdi's penultimate masterpiece is brought to its intense glory in a production filled with magnificent performances and crackling with dramatic fervor.

BWW Interview: John Austin Explores the RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN at Arena Stage
BWW Interview: John Austin Explores the RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN at Arena Stage
October 11, 2019

Lately John Austin's career seems to have two constants, exploring society's most topical issues and doing so at Arena Stage.

BWW Review: THE NEW ONE at The National Theatre Has Heart
BWW Review: THE NEW ONE at The National Theatre Has Heart
September 29, 2019

Half the fun of TheNew One is getting to embrace the rollercoaster of parenthood with Mike Birbiglia, and to laugh while doing so. The other half is just feeling goodleaving the theatre. Now, when was the last time that happened to you?

BWW Review: DOUBT at Studio Theatre is Gripping
BWW Review: DOUBT at Studio Theatre is Gripping
September 10, 2019

Doubt: A Parable, a fitting title if ever there was one. Jesus used parables to teach as does Shanley. His message that even though stories like that of Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn did happen, it's up to us to make sure they do not happen again.

BWW Interview: Jayne Atkinson takes on a Legend with ANN at Arena Stage
BWW Interview: Jayne Atkinson takes on a Legend with ANN at Arena Stage
August 2, 2019

If Jayne Atkinson were looking for a tour-de-force, then she found one as the late Texas governor holding court at Arena Stage in Ann. Written by Holland Taylor, Ann is a one woman play about the late Texas Governor Ann Richards that is part reflective autobiography, part homage to public service, and always entertaining.

BWW Interview: CODEPENDENTs Journey to Fringe of Friendship and Sisterhood with Kelly Hubbell
July 9, 2019

When Kelly Hubbell opens in Codependent at the Capital Fringe Festival this Thursday, the journey for both the play and Hubbell will not be marked merely by miles, but by friendships, family, and sisterhood.

BWW Interview: Chris Renalds ROCK OF AGES Journey Goes from Mezzanine to Center Stage at Wolf Trap
BWW Interview: Chris Renalds ROCK OF AGES Journey Goes from Mezzanine to Center Stage at Wolf Trap
June 15, 2019

Chris Renalds is giving the audience advice you may never expect to hear from a performer. In fact, it is so contradictory to the norms of theatergoing that some thespians may even consider it blasphemy. However, when you consider that the show he is performing in is Rock of Ages, Renalds' advice suddenly makes perfect sense.



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