Benjamin Velez
Birth Place: Miami, FL
Latest News on Benjamin Velez:
- Laurie Woolery to Direct REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at Pasadena PlayhouseJul 16, 2026
- Bess Wohl, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Quiara Alegría Hudes & More Join Faculty Of The Candela Playwrights Summer FellowshipJul 11, 2026
- Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 26, 2026- Ethan Slater & Betsy Wolfe Will Join LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Off-Broadway and MoreJun 26, 2026
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
Additional Credits
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
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
News
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.
Taylor Louderman's Write Out Loud Contest Open for 2026 Submissions
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
Taylor Louderman's annual Write Out Loud Contest is now accepting song submissions until February 28, 2026. The contest aims to showcase new songwriting talent in the musical theater community.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
Taylor Louderman's annual Write Out Loud Contest is now accepting song submissions until February 28, 2026. The contest aims to showcase new songwriting talent in the musical theater community.
Manhattan School Of Music Musical Theatre Lab Series To Develop New Musicals By Grace McLean and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2025
The Musical Theatre Lab Series at Manhattan School of Music will house developmental workshops and readings of four new musicals in its 2025-26 season, featuring the work of Jonathan Larson grantees, a two-time Obie Award-winner, and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2025
The Musical Theatre Lab Series at Manhattan School of Music will house developmental workshops and readings of four new musicals in its 2025-26 season, featuring the work of Jonathan Larson grantees, a two-time Obie Award-winner, and more.
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!
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.
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