Ben Cook

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Ben Cook BIO

Cook performed in several productions as a child in Washington, D.C., including at Ford's Theatre and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He made his Broadway debut at the age of eleven in Ragtime at the Neil Simon Theatre, understudying and performing the role of Edgar (The Little Boy). His next Broadway role was Tall Boy in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Imperial Theatre, and played the roles of Michael, then Billy in the North American National Tour of the production. His final tour performance as "Billy" was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 19, 2013.

From the age of 16, he toured for a year and a half in the role of Race and occasionally performed the role of Crutchie as the understudy in the first national tour of Newsies the Musical. In January 2016, after over 500 performances, Cook left that tour and joined the original Broadway cast of Tuck Everlasting. Previews began in March 2016, and the show closed the same May.

Cook joined the ensemble of the musical adaptation of the film Mean Girls. Its pre-Broadway tryout began in October 2017 at the National Theatre, in Washington D.C. The show premiered on Broadway in April 2018. He was set to appear in the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story as Riff, the leader of the Jets, but he left the production after being injured in a preview performance.

On television, Cook appeared as young Jack on 30 Rock, in the episode "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish" (2010); and as Walt in the episode of the HBO series Veep titled "The Choice" (2014). He played Heather Dunbar's son in the episode "Chapter 27" of the Netflix series House of Cards (2013). On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, he played Adam Turner in the episode "Great Expectations" (2017).

Cook reprised his role of Race in Newsies in the film adaptation of the musical, which received a limited release in February 2017 and later on Netflix before moving to Disney+. In 2018, he appeared in the HBO film Paterno.

He also appeared in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story as Mouthpiece, a member of the Jets.

He most recently appeared in the film Happiness For Beginners in 2023.

Ben Cook Photos

Ben Cook STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Park Avenue Armory Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2024
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2018
Ensemble

[Washington, DC (Regional)]
National Theatre World Premiere, 2017
Performer

[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 2010
Michael (Alternate) [Replacement]

Billy Elliot (Alternate) [Replacement]


Ben Cook Movies

[2017]Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical! Race

[2021]West Side Story Mouthpiece

Ben Cook Awards and Nominations

Ben Cook Videos

Ben Cook News


Review Roundup: Justin Peck Brings Sufjan Stevens' ILLINOISE to Life at Park Avenue Armory

The New York City premiere of Illinoise, the theatrical adaption of Grammy and Oscar nominated Sufjan Stevens’ concept album Illinois, has officially opened at Park Avenue Armory. Read the reviews!

ILLINOISE to Extend Run at Park Avenue Armory

The New York City premiere of Illinoise will extend its run. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Review Roundup: Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury's ILLINOISE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Illinoise, the theatrical adaption of Grammy- and Oscar-nominated Sufjan Stevens’ concept album Illinois, is coming to Park Avenue Armory March 3-23, 2024, following a run at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater from January 28-February 18, 2024. Let's see what the critics have to say!

Review: ILLINOISE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

ILLINOISE is a journey through our great state of Illinois using movement. Directed and choreographed by Justin Peck and featuring music and lyrics from Sufjan Stevens’s ILLINOIS album, the show uses dance as its primary narrative language. Peck collaborated with playwright Jacke Sibblies Drury on a loose storyline for ILLINOISE, but that story is communicated entirely through dance. Stevens’s lyrics underscore the situations in the show and mirror the emotional shades of the choreography.

Video: First Look at Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury's ILLINOISE

Get a first look at footage of Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury's Illinoise!

Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury's ILLINOISE to Premiere at Park Avenue Armory in March 2024

Park Avenue Armory has revealed details for the highly anticipated New York City premiere of Illinoise, the theatrical adaption of Grammy- and Oscar-nominated Sufjan Stevens’ concept album Illinois, which will be staged in the Armory’s massive Wade Thompson Drill Hall.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Birmingham Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Birmingham Awards; ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, SORDID LIVES, Theatre of Gadsden & More Lead!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards; ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, SORDID LIVES, Theatre of Gadsden & More Lead!

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards December 5th Standings; ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE Leads Best Musical!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Robbie Fairchild, Ricky Ubeda & More to Star in Justin Peck & Jackie Sibblies Drury's ILLINOISE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has revealed the cast of the highly anticipated Illinoise, a new kind of musical based on Sufjan Stevens’ acclaimed concept album.

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards; STEEL MAGNOLIAS Leads Best Play!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards; MATILDA THE MUSICAL Leads Best Musical!

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Watch Ellie Kemper & Luke Grimes in HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS; Now Available on Netflix

Happiness For Beginners, starring Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes, is now streaming on Netflix. Join Helen as she embarks on an adventure of self-discovery while hiking the Appalachian Trail with a group of quirky strangers. Based on the beloved novel by Katherine Center, watch the video trailer and start streaming now on Netflix.

Photos: First Look at Justin Peck & Jackie Sibblies Drury's ILLINOIS at the Fisher Center at Bard

Get a first look at Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury's ILLINOIS at the Fisher Center at Bard.

Video: Watch Ellie Kemper & Luke Grimes in Netflix's HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS Trailer

Helen (Ellie Kemper) has always lived her life as far from the edge as possible. Finding herself newly divorced and a little lost, Helen decides she needs a reset. The cast also includes Luke Grimes, Nico Santos, Blythe Danner, Ben Cook, Shayvawn Webster, Esteban Benito, Gus Birney, and Julia Shiplett. Watch the new video trailer now!

ILLINOIS World Premiere Adds Performance at Fisher Center at Bard

The Fisher Center at Bard has added a seventh performance (June 29 at 7:30 pm) to its world premiere production of Illinois, a music-theater work based on Sufjan Stevens’ acclaimed album of the same name.

Photos: Inside the 2023 Chita Rivera Awards Nominees Cocktail Reception

Nominations for the 2023 Chita Rivera Awards were announced just last week, and will be presented on May 22nd at 7:30pm at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. A reception was held for the nominees last night, May 2, and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photos here!

Cast Set for Justin Peck-Directed ILLINOIS World Premiere at Bard Fisher Center

The Fisher Center at Bard will present Illinois, a world premiere music-theater work based on Sufjan Stevens’ acclaimed album of the same name, June 23–July 2.

Photos: Inside Opening Night of BETWEEN THE LINES Off-Broadway

The new Off-Broadway musical Between the Lines opened last night at the Tony Kiser Theater at Second Stage (305 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!

Ben Cook FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ben Cook has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

Ben Cook has not appeared in the West End.

Ben Cook has been nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production award at the Helen Hayes Awards for his role in Billy Elliot the Musical.

Ben Cook's next show will be Illinoise which opens on 3/7/2024 on Off-Broadway.

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