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Denee Benton

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BIO

Benton's first prominent professional role was her role as Nabulungi in the West End and U.S. national tour of The Book of Mormon.



Benton was cast in the titular role of Natasha Rostova in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 with the American Repertory Theatre; she later made her Broadway debut opposite Josh Groban as Pierre when the show opened at the Imperial Theatre on November 14, 2016. Benton received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the show. Later in the run, she starred opposite Okieriete Onaodowan and the show’s creator Dave Malloy as Pierre. She appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on December 12, 2016, to discuss the role.

Benton gained wider prominence in her recurring role on the second season of the Lifetime series, UnREAL, as Ruby Carter in 2016.

On October 17, 2018, it was announced that Benton would assume the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton, beginning performances on October 30. She left the show on December 8, 2019 and starred opposite Michael Luwoye, Daniel Breaker, Mandy Gonzalez and James Monroe Iglehart.

On 2022, Benton started acting as Peggy Scott in the main cast of the HBO historical drama series The Gilded Age, alongside Louisa Jacobson, Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski. In 2023 she was nominated alongside the cast for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

In May 2022, Benton played the role of Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods at New York City Center opposite Heather Headley, Neil Patrick Harris, Sara Bareilles, and Gavin Creel. In November, she reprised her role replacing Krysta Rodriguez in the Broadway revival of the show. She left the production on December 24. She would star opposite Creel, Brian d’Arcy James, Patina Miller, Stephanie J. Block, Montego Glover, Andy Karl, Joshua Henry, and Joaquina Kalukango.

In December 2023, it was announced that Denee will star as Susan in the production of tick, tick...BOOM! at The Kennedy Center.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[New York]
MasterVoices Production, 2017
Mary Turner

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Natasha

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Eliza Hamilton [Replacement]

[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 2012
Nabulungi [Replacement]


Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Denee Benton, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance

Denée Benton, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Denée Benton, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Videos

News


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Photos: First Look at TICK, TICK... BOOM! at the Kennedy Center

All new production photos have been released for the production of Jonathan Larson's tick, tick... BOOM! at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Check out the photos here!
THE COLOR PURPLE, MAESTRO & More Nominated For SAG Awards - Full List of Nominations!

This morning, nominees for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® honoring outstanding individual, cast and ensemble performances for the past year were announced. Check out the full list of nominations, which include Danielle Brooks, Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Hannah Waddingham, the cast of The Gilded Age, and more.
Broadway Streaming Guide: Holidays 2023 - Where to Watch WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL & More

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Every Broadway Actor in THE GILDED AGE Season Two

The Gilded Age has returned for season two with a fresh lineup of Broadway stars! The first season of Julian Fellowes' series featured over 60 Broadway alums, including Audra McDonald, Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon, and more. Check out which faces you recognize from the theatre, including new additions like Laura Benanti and Jeremy Shamos.
Video: Watch THE GILDED AGE Season Two Trailer With Christine Baranski, Audra McDonald & More

HBO has debuted the trailer for the second season of The Gilded Age, featuring the series' star-studded cast of Broadway stars. Watch the video featuring Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Michael Cerveris, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Donna Murphy, Audra McDonald, Nathan Lane, and more.
Broadway Streaming Guide: October 2023 - Where to Watch THE GILDED AGE Season Two & More

Fall into October with a brand new lineup of Broadway-themed titles coming to streaming services. From the star-studded new season of The Gilded Age to two new albums by Barbra Streisand, check out what's streaming this month!
Video: Watch THE GILDED AGE Season Two Teaser Ahead of October Premiere With Donna Murphy, Denée Benton & More

The season will feature Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Michael Cerveris, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy, Kristine Nielsen, Kelli O’Hara, Patrick Page, Taylor Richardson, Douglas Sills, Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Ashlie Atkinson, and Laura Benanti. Watch the teaser video now!
Photos: Tony Awards Fashion- See Who Turned Up And Turned It Out On Broadway's Biggest Night!

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Photos: Broadway's Brightest Stars Hit the Red Carpet at the 2023 Tony Awards

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Wake Up With BWW 4/11: KIMBERLY AKIMBO Tour, Plus a Message From Denee Benton

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Video: Watch Joaquina Kalukango Perform 'Last Midnight' in INTO THE WOODS

Watch 2022 Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango perform 'Last Midnight' as 'The Witch' in the New York City Center Encores! production of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's revival of Into the Woods.
Video: Denee Benton Gets Her Wish as INTO THE WOODS' New Cinderella

Denee Benton has returned to the woods! Benton, who starred as Cinderella in the off-Broadway run of Into the Woods at City Center earlier this year, is reprising her role in the Broadway run of the production through December 24. In this video interview, she tells Richard Ridge all about stepping into the role!
Video: Go Inside the Belasco As AIN'T NO MO' Announces Its Broadway Extension!

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Exclusive: Watch Denee Benton Sing 'On the Steps of the Palace' in INTO THE WOODS

Denee Benton has returned to the woods! Benton, who starred as Cinderella in the off-Broadway run of Into the Woods at City Center earlier this year, is reprising her role in the Broadway run of the production through December 24. Check out an exclusive video of Denee performing 'On the Steps of the Palace'.
Joaquina Kalukango Will Play The Witch in INTO THE WOODS Beginning Next Month

2022 Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango will join the cast of the New York City Center Encores! production of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s revival of Into the Woods as ‘The Witch’ beginning Friday, December 16th through the end of the run at the St. James Theatre.
Wake Up With BWW 10/26: Denee Benton Returns to INTO THE WOODS, and More!

Top stories include Denee Benton returning to Into The Woods, reprising her role as Cinderella. Plus, Pictures From Home is headed to Broadway next year, starring Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein, and Zoe Wanamaker!
Denee Benton Will Reprise Role of Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS on Broadway

Denee Benton, who starred as Cinderella in the off-Broadway run of Into The Woods at City Center earlier this year, will reprise her role in the Broadway run of the production next month.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Denee Benton been in?

Denee Benton has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Denee Benton been in?

Denee Benton has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Denee Benton been nominated for?

Denee Benton has been nominated for the following awards: Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812; Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812; and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.

What awards has Denee Benton won?

Denee Benton has won the Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for her role in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.

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