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Benjamin Halstead

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Benjamin Halstead BIO

Benjamin Halstead has dedicated his career to musical storytelling. He is a double New York University alum, receiving a BFA from the Film and Television Production department, and an MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. His songs have been performed at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, Bill Finn’s Cabaret, Barrington Stage, and he is a founding member of the Musical Theatre Factory.
Ben is the the co-writer of EDM musical “Nikola Tesla Drops the Beat” alongside mad-genius, Nikko Benson, currently in development via Alchemation Productions with producers, Lucas McMahon and Kevin McCollum. The show received a developmental production at the Adirondack Theatre Festival, a developmental reading at the Village Theater Festival of New Musicals, Eugene O’Neill NMTC Finalist (2017), a developmental Production at Pace University, a concert at Joe’s Pub directed by Shakina Nayfack, a developmental Workshop at Playwrights Horizons, Johnny Mercer Musical Colony Fellowship at Goodspeed Opera House, Johnny Mercer Songwriting Project at Northwestern University, and a developmental Reading, at The Musical Theatre Factory.
Ben took his idea for a musical adaptation of Dante’s “Inferno” to red-hot bop-machine, Joey Contreras, in 2018. They have been carving out "Heartbreakers in Hell" together ever since, developing the show at the Open Jar Institude and Rubber City Theatre.
IG: @HalsteadBenjamin
www.BenjaminHalstead.com

Benjamin Halstead News


Musical Theatre Factory to Honor John-Michael Lyles & More 10th Anniversary Gala


Celebrate the 10th anniversary of MUSICAL THEATRE FACTORY at The Factory Function. Learn more about the event and see how to purchase tickets.

New Musical HEARTBREAKERS IN HELL Receives Workshop Production at NYU


A workshop production of the new musical Heartbreakers in Hell will be presented by NYU Steinhardt's Program in Vocal Performance. Learn more about the workshop and how to purchase tickets here!

Joey Contreras Joins The Broadway Talk Show Live With Rye & Friends On Broadway This Sunday


The popular weekly Broadway talk show Live with Rye & Friends on Broadway, now at the Broadway Makers Marketplace and hosted by renowned talk show Host & Producer Rye Myers 'Your Broadway & Entertainment BFF!' welcomes Joey Contreras as a special guest on this week's show. Contreras is a musical theatre and pop songwriter internationally known for his four studio albums, Love Me, Love Me Not, Young Kind of Love, Joyride, and In Pieces: A New Musical (Highlights). 

Joey Contreras, Countess Luann de Lesseps & More at Feinstein's/54 Below This Week


This week, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW Announces Performances Through the End of April


This month, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents  some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more  information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 

Joey Contreras to Bring IN THE WORKS, WITH SPECIAL GUESTS to Feinstein's/54 Below


Joey Contreras will bring “In the Works, with Special Guests,” to Feinstein’s/54 Below on April 18, 2022. Having amassed millions of streams and acclaim from his various theatre albums, Joey is playing selections from three of his new stage musicals.

Joey Contreras to Present IN THE WORKS, WITH SPECIAL GUESTS at Feinstein's/54 Below


FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present “Joey Contreras: In the Works, with Special Guests,” on April 18, 2022. Having amassed millions of streams and acclaim from his various theatre albums, Joey is playing selections from three of his new stage musicals.

Broadway Records Will Release A New Musical Song Cycle, 16 STORIES


Broadway Records announced today the release of 16 Stories, a collection of 16 previously unrecorded songs written by award-winning musical theatre creators from around the world and recorded by The Australian Discovery Orchestra.

New Musical HEARTBREAKERS IN HELL Releases Concept EP Entitled THE FIRST DATE MIXTAPE


Keri René Fuller, Nick Martinez, Deon'te Goodman and more can be heard on the recording previewing the new musical by Benjamin Halstead and Joey Contreras

VIDEO: Deon'te Goodman and Katherine Thomas Star in 'A Shadow of the Real Thing' From New Musical HEARTBREAKERS IN HELL


Deon’te Goodman (Hamilton) and Katherine Thomas (Ragtime) star in “A Shadow of the Real Thing,' a new music video from the musical Heartbreakers in Hell with book and lyrics by Benjamin Halstead (Nikola Tesla Drops The Beat) and music by Joey Contreras (In Pieces, Forget Me Not).

Nick Martinez and Keri René Fuller to Lead HEARTBREAKERS IN HELL Staged Reading


A private, developmental reading of the new musical Heartbreakers in Hell will be presented on November 12 in Manhattan at Open Jar Studios. The cast will be led by Nick Martinez (Bat Out of Hell), Keri René Fuller (Cats, Jagged Little Pill), Kelly McIntyre (Love in Hate Nation), Ben Bogen (Frozen), and Noah Virgile (The Royal Family of Broadway).

Isaac Powell Joins SEX AND THE CITY Revival Series


He starred as Tony in the 2019 Broadway revival of West Side Story, and as Daniel in the 2017 revival of Once on This Island. He recently joined the cast of the upcoming Dear Evan Hansen feature film.

Full Cast Announced For Feature Film Of Joey Contreras' IN PIECES


Louis Rayneau directs Kyle Birch (Austyn), Amy Di Bartolomeo (Alex), Hiba Elchikhe (Sam), Jordan Luke Gage (Grey), Ross Harmon (Charlie), Beccy Lane (Jael), Danielle Steers (River), and Luke Street (Hunter), with Erin Bell, Millie Cranston, Jack Dargan, Megan Cerys Holland, Rhianna Richards, and Jason Leigh Winter as the ensemble.

IN PIECES, a New Musical by Joey Contreras Will Be Released as a Feature Film in Support Of LGBT Foundation


Future Spotlight Productions today announce the UK and European première of the new musical In Pieces by Joey Contreras as a feature film, directed by Louis Rayneau. The film will be released online for a limited time only in support of LGBT Foundation, from 23 April 2021. Ticket information and casting will be announced shortly.

Tin Pan Alley 2 Concert Series Announces 2021 Season


Tin Pan Alley 2, a bimonthly free concert series featuring new musical theatre works, continues to foster a community of emerging musical theatre writers. In 2021, there will be six virtual concerts with 22 songwriters. Each 45-minute concert will have one specific theme: 'Love' in February; 'International Artists' in April; 'Pride' in June; 'Women+ Artists' in August; 'Halloween' in October; and 'Holidays' in December.

Isaac Powell Joins DEAR EVAN HANSEN Film


Broadway's star-on-the-rise Isaac Cole Powell will make his film acting debut as part of the cast of the upcoming 'Dear Evan Hansen' film adaptation! 

VIDEO: Megan Masako Haley, Jake Swain and More Perform 'I'll Be Damned' From New Musical HEARTBREAKERS IN HELL


A music video of the song a?oeIa??ll Be Damneda?? from the new musical Heartbreakers in Hell has been released.  Heartbreakers in Hell features a book and lyrics by Benjamin Halstead (Nikola Tesla Drops The Beat) and music by Joey Contreras (In Pieces, Forget Me Not).

New Joey Contreras' Single 'Another New York Love Story' Released


Songwriter and musical theatre composer Joey Contreras has released a music video for his new single 'Another New York Love Story' featuring Leslie Hiatt, which is available for streaming on all platforms.

Bonnie Milligan, Alyssa Fox, Colton Ryan and More Join BREAK FROM THE LINE Concert at The Green Room 42


Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Alyssa Fox (Frozen), Colton Ryan (Girl from the North Country) and Stephanie Torns (Waitress) are scheduled to perform at a March 30 concert featuring the music of Joey Contreras at The Green Room 42. Titled after his song, 'Break from the Line: The Music of Joey Contreras' will share highlights from his catalog, stories behind the music, showcase new talent and tease material from his upcoming musicals.

BWW Interview: Shakina Nayfak on MANIFEST PUSSY at Joe's Pub


Shakina Nayfak is a woman blessed with an abundance of talents. She enjoys success as a director, writer, performer, producer, and social activist. Recently she created the critically-acclaimed role of Ava in the Transparent's Musical Finale now streaming on Amazon Prime. She is beloved by fans for her role as Lola on Hulu's Difficult People and has premiered three solo shows at Joe's Pub to sold-out houses. On Saturday, November 9th she brings her one woman show Manifest Pussy back to Joe's Pub. Described as a rock concert/standup special/ritual sacrifice' the show tells the story of Shakina's journey to Thailand for gender confirmation surgery in 2014.

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