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Ben Cook

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BIO

Performing in his 6th Broadway show. Others include Ragtime, Billy in Billy Elliot, Tuck Everlasting, Mean Girls, and most recently Riff in Ivo van Hove’s West Side Story revival. National tours: Billy Elliot and Newsies. Film: Mouthpiece in Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning West Side Story, Beckett in Happiness for Beginners on Netflix, Aaron Fisher in HBO’s Paterno alongside Al Pacino, Race in Newsies: The Broadway Musical (Disney). TV: “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” and “The Penguin” (HBO Max), “The First Lady” (Showtime) “Law & Order: SVU,” “FBI,” “Veep,” and “30 Rock.” Ben has been involved with Illinoise since the very beginning and is honored to bring it home to New York.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2024
Carl

[Off-Broadway]
Park Avenue Armory Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2024
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2018
Ensemble

[Washington, DC (Regional)]
National Theatre World Premiere, 2017
Performer

[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 2010
Michael (Alternate) [Replacement]

Billy Elliot (Alternate) [Replacement]


Movies

Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical!
[ 2017 ] Race
West Side Story
[ 2021 ] Mouthpiece

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical

Ben Cook, Illinoise

Helen Hayes Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production

Ben CookBilly Elliot the Musical

Videos

News


ILLINOISE Now Available the Watch at the Library for the Performing Arts
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 13, 2024

Illinoise was filmed by the Theater on Film and Tape Archive in July 2024, and is now accessible at the Library for the Performing Arts.
ILLINOISE Concludes Broadway Run
by Sidney Paterra - Aug 10, 2024

Broadway says goodbye to Illinoise, which takes its final bow at the St. James Theatre Theatre following 116 regular performances. The venue will soon be home to Sunset Boulevard, which begins performances on September 28, 2024.
Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Gaslight-Baker Theatre
by Victoria Schwarz - Jul 24, 2024

It’s a party like it’s 1595 at Gaslight-Baker Theatre in Lockhart this month with their production of Wayne Kirkpatrick, Karey Kirkpatrick, and John O’Farrell’s musical farce, SOMETHING ROTTEN! from July 12 - August 4.
ILLINOISE Will Host Album Vinyl Signings Following Wednesday Matinee Performances
by Stephi Wild - Jul 23, 2024

The Tony Award-winning new musical ILLINOISE will host signings for the ILLINOISE Original Cast Album Vinyl with members of the cast following the three remaining Wednesday matinee performances.
Photos: Tina Fey Visits ILLINOISE on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 20, 2024

See photos of Tina Fey visiting Illinoise on Broadway! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
ILLINOISE Adds Three Matinee Performances To Broadway Run
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 18, 2024

The Tony Award-winning new musical ILLINOISE featuring Tony-winning choreography by Justin Peck has added three matinee performances to its strictly limited engagement through Saturday, August 10 at the St. James Theatre
Photos: Inside the 2024 Tony Awards Ceremony
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 17, 2024

Last night, the curtain was raised on the 77th Annual Tony Awards! Take a look inside the CBS broadcasts and Pluto TV pre-show below, including photos of the casts of The Outsiders, Suffs, Hell's Kitchen, The Who's Tommy, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, and more.
Video: Watch the Cast of ILLINOISE Perform 'Jacksonville'
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 5, 2024

The cast of Illinoise stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Tuesday to perform the number Jacksonville from the Tony Award-nominated musical. Watch the performance now!
Video: Peck, Drury, and More Discuss ILLINOISE on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Blair Ingenthron - Jun 2, 2024

Watch Justin Peck, Jackie Sibbles Drury, and Shara Nova discuss ILLINOISE on CBS SUNDAY MORNING in the video here!
Listen: ILLINOISE Original Broadway Cast Recording is Available Now
by Stephi Wild - May 31, 2024

The original Broadway Cast Recording of Illinoise: A New Musical is available today, May 31, on all digital platforms. Listen to the full album here!
ILLINOISE's Elijah Lyons is the May 2024 Debut of the Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 23, 2024

Read BroadwayWorld's May Debut of the Month interview with Elijah Lyons, who is currently starring in Illinoise. Learn more about the show!
ILLINOISE to Release Original Broadway Cast Recording - Two Tracks Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2024

Nonesuch Records will release a recording of the current Tony-nominated Broadway show Illinoise: A New Musical. Listen to two tracks now!
HELL'S KITCHEN, ILLINOISE, And More Win 2024 Chita Rivera Awards
by A.A. Cristi - May 21, 2024

The Broadway productions of Illinoise, The Outsiders, Water for Elephants are winners at this year's 2024 Chita Rivera Awards.
Jared Grimes To Host The 2024 Chita Rivera Awards
by A.A. Cristi - May 18, 2024

Jared Grimes will host the 2024 Chita Rivera Awards on May 20 at NYU Skirball Center, celebrating excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and beyond.
Photos: Sara Bareilles and Joe Tippett Stop By ILLINOISE On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2024

On Tuesday, May 14th, Grammy Award winner and Emmy and Tony nominee Sara Bareilles visited the cast of ILLINOISE at the St. James Theatre on Broadway. See photos from her visit.
STEREOPHONIC, SUFFS & More Win Outer Critics Circle Awards
by Nicole Rosky - May 13, 2024

The Outer Critics Circle, the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, announced the winners of the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards. Check out the Full List of winners here!
Photos: Cast & Creatives Celebrate Gala Opening of ILLINOISE
by Bruce Glikas - May 10, 2024

Illinoise is now a four-time Tony-nominated musical, and while it officially opened last month, the production waited until this week to celebrate at the St. James Theatre. Check out photos of the cast and creative team here!
Photos: See Rachel Zegler, Julianne Hough & More at ILLINOISE Gala Celebration
by Bruce Glikas - May 9, 2024

Illinoise is now a four-time Tony nominated musical, and while it officially opened last month, the production waited until Tuesday night to celebrate at the St. James Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos  from the star-studded arrivals here.
Video: Inside the ILLINOISE Opening Gala Celebration
by Joey Mervis - May 8, 2024

In this video, watch as Justin Peck is joined by Illinoise cast members Ben Cook, Gaby Diaz, Ricky Ubeda and more to celebrate the special day.
Photos: Inside ILLINOISE's Gala Performance Curtain Call
by Bruce Glikas - May 8, 2024

Illinoise is now a four-time Tony nominated musical, and while it officially opened last month, the production waited until last night to celebrate at the St. James Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ben Cook been in?

Ben Cook has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Ben Cook been in?

Ben Cook has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Ben Cook been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Illinoise and Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Billy Elliot the Musical.

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