In this episode we continue our conversation with Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves. Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away.
Benjamin Velez
Benjamin Velez is a Tony-Nominated composer/lyricist whose shows include REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES (Broadway, ART), THE TEMPEST (Shakespeare In The Park), KISS MY AZTEC (La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, Hartford Stage), and BORDERLINE (O’Neill). 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.
Birth Place: Miami, FL
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BIO
Benjamin Velez is a Tony-Nominated composer/lyricist whose shows include REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES (Broadway, ART), THE TEMPEST (Shakespeare In The Park), KISS MY AZTEC (La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, Hartford Stage), and BORDERLINE (O’Neill). 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. He’s developed other original musicals, including STARBLASTERS, AFTERLAND, and LOST CITY RADIO at Ars Nova, Sundance at UCROSS, Berkeley Rep's Ground Floor, NYSAF, and the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. Proud member of the Advanced BMI workshop. Born and raised in Miami, FL.
Photos
Productions
Writing
Music
Lyrics
Lyrics
Music
Lyrics
Lyrics
Composer & Lyricist
See how Benjamin Velez connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Benjamin Velez from another Broadway star or creative.
Benjamin Velez
Connection
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: Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara 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
How Joy Huerta & Benjamin Velez Found the Sound of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Joey Mervis - 2025-03-27 16:45:20
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
News
LITTLE MISS PERFECT Creator Joriah Kwamé to Receive 2026 Stephen Schwartz Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 8, 2026
Dramatists Guild Foundation has named composer, lyricist, playwright, and former DGF Fellow Joriah Kwamé is the 2026 recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Award.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 8, 2026
Dramatists Guild Foundation has named composer, lyricist, playwright, and former DGF Fellow Joriah Kwamé is the 2026 recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Award.
Santino Fontana, Taylor Iman Jones and More to Join CELEBBRATION at Symphony Space
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 1, 2026
Prospect Musicals has revealed the complete cast for CELEBBRATION: A Concert Evening of Songs from the Fred Ebb Award Winners. The concert will take place at Symphony Space and feature Santino Fontana and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 1, 2026
Prospect Musicals has revealed the complete cast for CELEBBRATION: A Concert Evening of Songs from the Fred Ebb Award Winners. The concert will take place at Symphony Space and feature Santino Fontana and more.
Santino Fontana, Jasmine Forsberg and More to Join Prospect Musicals Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 24, 2026
Prospect Musicals will present a concert evening celebrating a decade of Fred Ebb Award-winning songwriters, with a cast including Tony Award winner Santino Fontana and stars from WICKED, SIX, and COME FROM AWAY.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 24, 2026
Prospect Musicals will present a concert evening celebrating a decade of Fred Ebb Award-winning songwriters, with a cast including Tony Award winner Santino Fontana and stars from WICKED, SIX, and COME FROM AWAY.
Shaina Taub, Michael R. Jackson & More Fred Ebb Award Winners Set for CEL EBB RATION Concert
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2026
Shaina Taub, Michael R. Jackson, Julia Riew and more Fred Ebb Award winners will be featured in Prospect Musicals’ CELEBBRATION concert at Symphony Space on October 8, hosted by Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2026
Shaina Taub, Michael R. Jackson, Julia Riew and more Fred Ebb Award winners will be featured in Prospect Musicals’ CELEBBRATION concert at Symphony Space on October 8, hosted by Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba.
Abs Wilson Will Premiere Concert Reading of KELLY NOWAK at Adelphi PAC
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2026
Adelphi University's Performing Arts Center will open its Larson Legacy Concert Series season with a reading of KELLY NOWAK, a new musical by Jonathan Larson Grant recipient Abs Wilson and composer Adam LaPorte, at the Olmsted Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2026
Adelphi University's Performing Arts Center will open its Larson Legacy Concert Series season with a reading of KELLY NOWAK, a new musical by Jonathan Larson Grant recipient Abs Wilson and composer Adam LaPorte, at the Olmsted Theatre.
Laurie Woolery to Direct REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 16, 2026
Laurie Woolery will direct the first post-Broadway production of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical, playing at Pasadena Playhouse in spring 2027 as the 3rd Mainstage offering of the theatre's 2026-2027 season.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 16, 2026
Laurie Woolery will direct the first post-Broadway production of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical, playing at Pasadena Playhouse in spring 2027 as the 3rd Mainstage offering of the theatre's 2026-2027 season.
Bess Wohl, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Quiara Alegría Hudes & More Join Faculty Of The Candela Playwrights Summer Fellowship
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jul 11, 2026
Pulitzer and Tony winners Bess Wohl, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Martyna Majok, Bill Rauch, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson join Daphne Rubin-Vega on the 2026 faculty of the tuition-free Candela Playwrights Summer Fellowship in New York City.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jul 11, 2026
Pulitzer and Tony winners Bess Wohl, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Martyna Majok, Bill Rauch, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson join Daphne Rubin-Vega on the 2026 faculty of the tuition-free Candela Playwrights Summer Fellowship in New York City.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 26, 2026- Ethan Slater & Betsy Wolfe Will Join LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Off-Broadway and More
by - Jun 26, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 26, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Jun 26, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 26, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Manhattan Theatre Club Commissions Two Original Musicals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 25, 2026
Manhattan Theatre Club has commissioned two original musicals. The commissioned writing teams are Lindsey Ferrentino and Samuel Beam, and Sofya Levitsky-Weitz and Benjamin Velez.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 25, 2026
Manhattan Theatre Club has commissioned two original musicals. The commissioned writing teams are Lindsey Ferrentino and Samuel Beam, and Sofya Levitsky-Weitz and Benjamin Velez.
Arielle Jacobs, Kristolyn Lloyd and Andrew Kober Set for LOST CITY RADIO Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026
Arielle Jacobs, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Kristolyn Lloyd, Andrew Kober, and more will be part of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat's reading of Lost City Radio.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026
Arielle Jacobs, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Kristolyn Lloyd, Andrew Kober, and more will be part of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat's reading of Lost City Radio.
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES, THE VISIT and More Set for Pasadena Playhouse 2026/27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 7, 2026
The Mainstage offerings for the 2026/2027 Season of Pasadena Playhouse has been revealed! The Mainstage Season kicks off with an all-new Pasadena Playhouse production of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s chilling classic The Visit.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 7, 2026
The Mainstage offerings for the 2026/2027 Season of Pasadena Playhouse has been revealed! The Mainstage Season kicks off with an all-new Pasadena Playhouse production of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s chilling classic The Visit.
BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop Now Accepting Applications
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2026
The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is accepting applications for its Songwriting and Bookwriting programs, held weekly at BMI's lower Manhattan office. Alumni include Tony and Academy Award winners.
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2026
The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is accepting applications for its Songwriting and Bookwriting programs, held weekly at BMI's lower Manhattan office. Alumni include Tony and Academy Award winners.
Photos: Inside the 2026 Dramatists Guild of America Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
The Dramatists Guild of America celebrated its 2026 Awards on Monday, April 27, 2026, in New York City, honoring a remarkable group of playwrights, composers, lyricists, librettists, theater artists, and advocates whose work continues to shape the American theatre. Check out photos here.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
The Dramatists Guild of America celebrated its 2026 Awards on Monday, April 27, 2026, in New York City, honoring a remarkable group of playwrights, composers, lyricists, librettists, theater artists, and advocates whose work continues to shape the American theatre. Check out photos here.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 27, 2026- New Photos of THE LOST BOYS and More
by - Apr 27, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 27, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
by - Apr 27, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 27, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Bess Wohl, Lisa Kron, Kimber Lee Named 2026 Dramatists Guild Award Recipients
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
The Dramatists Guild of America announced its 2026 award recipients, including Bess Wohl, Kimber Lee, Lisa Kron, Victor I. Cazares, Joy Huerta, Benjamin Velez, and Migdalia Cruz, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
The Dramatists Guild of America announced its 2026 award recipients, including Bess Wohl, Kimber Lee, Lisa Kron, Victor I. Cazares, Joy Huerta, Benjamin Velez, and Migdalia Cruz, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Candela Opens Applications for Fourth Annual Playwrights Summer Fellowship
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2026
Candela announced applications are open for its Fourth Annual Playwrights Summer Fellowship, a free week-long program in New York City supporting Latine and Caribbean musical theatre writers, playwrights, and choreopoets.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2026
Candela announced applications are open for its Fourth Annual Playwrights Summer Fellowship, a free week-long program in New York City supporting Latine and Caribbean musical theatre writers, playwrights, and choreopoets.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 7, 2026- Vote For Your Favorite Movie Musical and More
by - Apr 7, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 7, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Apr 7, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 7, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Benjamin Velez and Joel Perez to Present LOST CITY RADIO at Rhinebeck Writers Retreat
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 6, 2026
Lost City Radio, a new musical with book by Joel Perez and music and lyrics by Tony nominee Benjamin Velez, based on the novel by Daniel Alarcon, has been selected for RWR’s Triple R Program.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 6, 2026
Lost City Radio, a new musical with book by Joel Perez and music and lyrics by Tony nominee Benjamin Velez, based on the novel by Daniel Alarcon, has been selected for RWR’s Triple R Program.
Columbia University's VARSITY SHOW: THROUGH THE AGES Will Come to 54 Below
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2026
54 Below will present the Varsity Show: Through the Ages on Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at 9:30pm, a celebration of Columbia University's must-see performing arts tradition and New York theater history featuring the cast of this year's Varsity Show.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2026
54 Below will present the Varsity Show: Through the Ages on Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at 9:30pm, a celebration of Columbia University's must-see performing arts tradition and New York theater history featuring the cast of this year's Varsity Show.
Stage Door Foundation Launches NEW NEXT NOW for Musical Development
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
The Stage Door Foundation revealed the artists and productions who will debut NEW NEXT NOW, a ground-breaking pipeline for the development of new musicals.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
The Stage Door Foundation revealed the artists and productions who will debut NEW NEXT NOW, a ground-breaking pipeline for the development of new musicals.
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.
Podcasts
Episode 15 - Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer: Real Women Have Curves
This episode features a conversation with Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves. Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away.
Ep394 - Joy Huerta & Benjamin Velez: Pop Meets Plot in a Tony-Nominated Twist
Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez might come from very different musical worlds — Latin pop and musical theatre — but their collaboration on Real Women Have Curves proves just how powerful a cross-genre partnership can be.
'Real Women' Have Songs by Joy Huerta
Huerta, one half of the Grammy winning band Jesse & Joy, and her co-songwriter Benjamin Velez discussing bringing the new musical "Real Women Have Curves" to Broadway — and share the surprising details of how the two of them wrote songs together, while apart, during lockdown.
#64 - Live from BroadwayCon 2025 - Real Women Have Curves The Musical Early Access
Behind the Awards was thrilled to participate in BroadwayCon 10 and have Producer Jack Noseworthy & Composer and Lyricist Benjamin Valez on their live panel to discuss the new musical Real Women Have Curves.
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