Benjamin Velez
Latest News on Benjamin Velez:
Manhattan School Of Music Musical Theatre Lab Series To Develop New Musicals By Grace McLean and More (Dec 16, 2025)
Photos: Inside the 2025 Fred Ebb Awards (Dec 3, 2025)
Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour to Receive the 21st Annual Fred Ebb Award (Nov 3, 2025)
Manhattan School Of Music Musical Theatre Lab Series To Develop New Musicals By Grace McLean and More (Dec 16, 2025)
Photos: Inside the 2025 Fred Ebb Awards (Dec 3, 2025)
Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour to Receive the 21st Annual Fred Ebb Award (Nov 3, 2025)
BIO
Benjamin Velez is a composer/lyricist born and raised in Miami, FL. Proud member of the Advanced BMI workshop (2012 Harrington Award), he has developed original musicals at Ars Nova, Sundance at UCROSS, Berkeley Rep's Ground Floor, and the O'Neill, where his musical BORDERLINE opened the 2019 Musical Theater Conference.
He was a Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellow and winner of the Fred Ebb Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, the Stephen Schwartz Award, and the Kleban Award for lyric writing. His musical KISS MY AZTEC, written with John Leguizamo, Tony Taccone, and David Kamp, has appeared at Berkeley Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, and Hartford Stage. His Public Works musical of THE TEMPEST premiered at the Delacorte Theater in August 2023. REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES, for which he received a 2025 Tony Nomination for best original score, is a collaboration with Joy Huerta (of Jesse Y Joy) Lisa Loomer and Nell Benjamin, directed by Sergio Trujillo. The show premiered at the American Repertory Theater in 2023.
Photos
Productions
Writing
Music
Lyrics
Lyrics
Music
Lyrics
Lyrics
Composer & Lyricist
Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Music
Benjamin Velez, Real Women Have Curves
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Benjamin Velez, Real Women Have Curves
Tony Awards - 2025 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics)
Benjamin Velez, Real Women Have Curves: The Musical
Videos
Video: The Making of the REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Cast Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-10-10 12:45:42
Videos: Go Inside the Final Performance of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Michael Major - 2025-06-30 10:02:05
Video: Broadway Siblings Christopher and Monica Ramirez Featured on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-21 10:53:04
Photos/Video: Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara, Gloria Estefan, and More Attend REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Stephi Wild - 2025-04-23 06:00:07
Video: Justina Machado Praises REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Co-Star Tatianna Córdoba: 'She Is Incredible'
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-22 17:45:47
Video: Tatianna Córdoba Performs 'Flying Away' From REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-15 10:34:44
Photos & Video: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Begins Performances on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-04-02 13:48:58
Photos: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Pop Up Concert from Co-Composer Joy Huerta
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-03-18 14:46:19
Video: Tatianna Córdoba Sings 'Flying Away' from REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Joey Mervis - 2025-02-17 12:28:57
Video: Joy Huerta Performs 'Flying Away' From REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - 2025-01-10 09:18:33
Video: Watch an Acoustic Performance of 'If I Were A Bird' From REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - 2024-12-18 09:21:25
VIDEO: See The Load-In for REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at American Repertory Theater
by Joshua Wright - 2024-01-05 15:15:35
VIDEO: John Leguizamo Reveals KISS MY AZTEC! Musical Will Come to Broadway in 2023 on LATE NIGHT
by Michael Major - 2022-11-17 10:44:55
VIDEO: Get A First Look At Krystina Alabado, KC Dela Cruz, Angelica Maria Beliard & More In Pre-Broadway KISS MY AZTEC! at Hartford Stage
by Alan Henry - 2022-06-20 10:16:38
VIDEO: Benjamin Velez Accepts the 2020 Jonathan Larson Grant With Virtual Speech
by Stephi Wild - 2020-05-14 06:45:37
Living Room Concerts: THE CHER SHOW's Micaela Diamond and CURSED CHILD's Nathan Salstone Sing from a New Musical, BORDERLINE
by Alan Henry - 2020-04-02 17:01:00
VIDEO: Get A First Look At John Leguizamo's Musical KISS MY AZTEC at Berkeley Rep
by Alan Henry - 2019-06-14 12:16:48
News
Photos: Inside the 2025 Fred Ebb Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025
The Fred Ebb Foundation presented the 21st annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour. Go inside the event in new photos.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025
The Fred Ebb Foundation presented the 21st annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour. Go inside the event in new photos.
Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour to Receive the 21st Annual Fred Ebb Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 3, 2025
The Fred Ebb Foundation will present the 21st annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Sophie Boyce & Veronica Mansour.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 3, 2025
The Fred Ebb Foundation will present the 21st annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Sophie Boyce & Veronica Mansour.
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet at the Dramatists Guild Foundation Gala
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 21, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation hosted its annual Gala at Ziegfeld Ballroom. This year’s Gala celebrated 25 years of the DGF Fellows program, fostering emerging dramatists through mentorship and collaboration to prepare their next great story for the stage. Check out photos here!
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 21, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation hosted its annual Gala at Ziegfeld Ballroom. This year’s Gala celebrated 25 years of the DGF Fellows program, fostering emerging dramatists through mentorship and collaboration to prepare their next great story for the stage. Check out photos here!
Dramatists Guild Foundation Reveals Aurin Squire as 2025 Thom Thomas Award Winner
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced award-winning playwright, journalist, and multimedia artist Aurin Squire as the recipient of the 2025 Thom Thomas Award.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced award-winning playwright, journalist, and multimedia artist Aurin Squire as the recipient of the 2025 Thom Thomas Award.
Dramatists Guild Foundation Names Madeline Myers as 2025 Stephen Schwartz Award Recipient
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2025
Dramatists Guild Foundation has named musical theater composer and lyricist Madeline Myers as the 2025 recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Award. Learn more here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2025
Dramatists Guild Foundation has named musical theater composer and lyricist Madeline Myers as the 2025 recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Award. Learn more here!
Dramatists Guild Foundation to Present Work of 2024-2025 Musical Theater and Playwriting Fellows
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation will present selections of work by the 2024-2025 Class of Musical Theater and Playwriting Fellows. Learn more and see how to attend.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation will present selections of work by the 2024-2025 Class of Musical Theater and Playwriting Fellows. Learn more and see how to attend.
Adam Chanler-Berat, Regina Strayhorn and Kalani Queypo to Host Rhinebeck Writers Retreat’s Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 30, 2025
Rhinebeck Writers Retreat alumni writers Adam Chanler-Berat, Regina Strayhorn, and Kalani Queypo will host the 2025 Gala Concert honoring Founder Kathy Evans. LEARN MORE!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 30, 2025
Rhinebeck Writers Retreat alumni writers Adam Chanler-Berat, Regina Strayhorn, and Kalani Queypo will host the 2025 Gala Concert honoring Founder Kathy Evans. LEARN MORE!
5 Broadway Shows Close This Weekend
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 28, 2025
Broadway says goodbye to five productions. Glengarry Glen Ross takes its final bow at the Palace Theatre following 23 previews and 104 regular performances; The Picture of Dorian Gray plays its final performance at the Music Box Theatre after 15 previews and 98 regular performances; and more.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 28, 2025
Broadway says goodbye to five productions. Glengarry Glen Ross takes its final bow at the Palace Theatre following 23 previews and 104 regular performances; The Picture of Dorian Gray plays its final performance at the Music Box Theatre after 15 previews and 98 regular performances; and more.
Video: Justina Machado Talks Real-World Connections of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 13, 2025
Real Women Have Curves star Justina Machado, along with co-producer Alicia Menendez, recently stopped by MSNBC's Deadline: White House show to discuss the real-life implications of the new musical.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 13, 2025
Real Women Have Curves star Justina Machado, along with co-producer Alicia Menendez, recently stopped by MSNBC's Deadline: White House show to discuss the real-life implications of the new musical.
Erica Rotstein Will Succeed Kathy Evans as Executive Director of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025
The Board of Directors of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat announced that, after a nation-wide search, Erica Rotstein has been chosen to succeed Founding Executive Director Kathy Evans as Executive Director.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025
The Board of Directors of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat announced that, after a nation-wide search, Erica Rotstein has been chosen to succeed Founding Executive Director Kathy Evans as Executive Director.
2025 Tony Awards Winners - The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 8, 2025
The best of Broadway took the stage at Radio City Music Hall for the 78th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo. See all of the 2025 Tony winners here.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 8, 2025
The best of Broadway took the stage at Radio City Music Hall for the 78th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo. See all of the 2025 Tony winners here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Benjamin Velez written?
Benjamin Velez has written 3 shows including Kiss My Aztec! (Composer & Lyricist), The Tempest (Music), Real Women Have Curves (Music).
What awards has Benjamin Velez been nominated for?
Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Real Women Have Curves, Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Real Women Have Curves and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) (Tony Awards) for Real Women Have Curves: The Musical.
Videos