Benjamin Michael News

What did our critic think of RIDE THE CYCLONE THE MUSICAL at Beck Center For The Arts?

MICHAEL J. BENJAMIN - returns with the new single: “Ocean Away”. Benjamin wrote the song at the age of 15 when he relocated from Stockholm to Amsterdam, inspired by a long-distance relationship and the music of Bob Dylan, particularly 'Girl From the North Country Fair' and 'Boots of Spanish Leather.'

Great Lakes Theater (GLT) opens its 62nd season with the Northeast Ohio premiere of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, performing in the company’s intimate and audience-friendly home at the Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square now through October 8, 2023. Check out production photos here!

MICHAEL J. BENJAMIN has unveiled an acoustic version of “The Same Again”, ahead of his debut EP. Produced by Jon McMullen (Wet Leg, Michael Kiwanuka) at his London studio, “The Same Again (Acoustic) makes for a wistful country-blues record that feels simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing; true to a style that Benjamin is quickly making his own.

A radiant, reflective ballad that sees the young musician pair distinctive Cash-meets-Cohen vocals with his knack for heart-rending storytelling, the new track was produced by Jon McMullen (Wet Leg, Michael Kiwanuka) in London. A song that finds the singer-songwriter rewinding sepia-tinted memories of his past.

MICHAEL J. BENJAMIN has shared “The Deal Has Long Gone Down”. Produced in London by Jon McMullen, best known for his work with Wet Leg and Michael Kiwanuka, “The Deal Has Long Gone Down” will tingle the hairs on the back of your neck as it evokes the spirits of Johnny Cash or Leonard Cohen.

Michael J Benjamin grew up with the entire history of music readily available at the click of a mouse. He embraced himself in the heroes of old, immersing himself in the works of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash and Paul McCartney, before finding modern influence in Lana Del Rey, Weyes Blood and Jack Antonoff.

Sugar Baby made its debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017. A compelling one-man play by Alan Harris, this new production directed by Natasha Haws is a wonderfully wild ride.

Based on the book “A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America” by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff, the new limited event series is a co-production between ITV Studios America and Apple Studios. The drama will explore the thrilling story of one of the greatest gambles of Benjamin Franklin’s career.

Eric Michael Gillett has done it all and he always does it with an open heart and open hand. His annual holiday gala for Benjamin House was only briefly threatened by the global health crisis - for Gillett, nothing can stop him from honoring his favorite organization to support.

Today, September 30, the cast of the Tony-winning The Boys is the Band is reassembled on Netflix for a new film adaptation of Mart Crowley's masterpiece, helmed by Joe Mantello. Watch Jim Parsons (Michael), Michael Benjamin Washington (Bernard) and Brian Hutchison (Alan) chat even more about the honor of bringing these characters back to life in a new century.

Stars in the House continued Thursday night (8pm) for a Pride Special with Jessica Kirson, Marc Shaiman, Michael Benjamin Washington and Eduardo Vilaro. This episode was in support of NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Gail Boyd, Founding President of Gail Boyd Artist Management, has been elected as President of North American Performance Arts Managers and Agents (NAPAMA). Boyd's appointment is particularly momentous as she is the first African American woman to step into this prominent role. She is also the first NAPAMA President to come from the jazz music industry.

It's been a long-time point of pride among New Yorkers to be living in the most culturally and ethnically diverse spot on the planet, and given the history of the planet you can say that, comparatively, the city has done pretty well in encouraging a society of integration and acceptance.

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the company and design team for the new Broadway production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons starring Golden Globe winner and Academy, Tony & Emmy nominee Annette Bening as 'Kate Keller' and SAG Award nominee & Tony Award winner Tracy Letts as 'Joe Keller,' directed by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien. Joining Bening and Letts are Benjamin Walker as 'Chris Keller,' Francesca Carpanini as 'Ann Deever,' Hampton Fluker as 'George Deever,' Michael Hayden as 'Dr. Jim Bayliss,' Jenni Barber as 'Lydia Lubey,' Nehal Joshi as 'Frank Lubey,' Chinasa Ogbuagu as 'Sue Bayliss.'

Seattle's Sloucher will release their debut album Be True this Friday, November 16, and today the band is sharing an advance stream of the record on the Talkhouse. The stream comes accompanied by an essay by fellow Seattle musician Michael Benjamin Lerner of Telekinesis, who says Be True 'instantly feels like a classic. It's a best friend, the comfortable blanket of sound I find myself constantly reaching toward after too many electronic or experimental records - a palate cleanser of wonderful melodies, infectious guitar lines, and great no frills rock and roll.'

Neil Simon's GOD'S FAVORITE does what I believe good theatre is intended to do: take a multifaceted, complex topic and present it in a humanized, relatable, and entertaining manner. This can take many forms, and GOD'S FAVORITE pinpoints perhaps one of my favorite forms of theatrical communication: framing a meaningful, hard-to-wrap-your-mind-around concept within the familiar language of comedy.

The ASPECT Foundation for Music & Arts presents J.S. Bach: The Art of Fugue on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at The Italian Academy, part of the foundation's second New York City season of illuminating performances featuring many of the most prominent performers and musical scholars of today.

The staff at Camp Firewood are more than just counselors - they're your summer family. Get to know them now and watch Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, a limited 8-episode series coming to Netflix on July 31st.

Multi-award-winning internationally adored stage and screen star Michael Crawford sheds some light on his notable connection to the world of British composer Benjamin Britten as part of a new retrospective interview which also contains rare footage of the star as a mere teenager premiering an opera by one British music master.