Ben Cook

muck912
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by muck912 »

My daughter and I saw Newsies in Schenectady on Thursday night. The show was great and Ben's Race was the hightlight for us. His singing, acting, acro, and dancing were all 1st rate. Ben spent a lot of the show in the air or upside down. Ben was especially gracious at the stage door. My daughter had a stage door picture of her and Ben from BE in Buffalo and asked Ben if he could sign it. Ben not only signed it but also personalized it and added a paragraph that my daughter will cherish.

Also at the stage door was Broadway Billy Jacob Clemente saying hello and supporting his Broadway castmate.

My daughter and I saw the show in New York with Guiseppe also playing the role of Race. Two Billys who ooze charisma out of every pore end up playing the same role in Newsies. The tour version compares very well with the Broadway production.
cglaid
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by cglaid »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqThs_z ... ture=share
You can spot Ben several times in this footage.
cws8998
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by cws8998 »

Saw an absolutely spectacular "Newsies" last evening during which Ben Cook and his "union" (gang) of newsboys literally tore up the stage in front of a sold out audience at the Oriental Theater in Chicago...Billy Elliot's home (and, it seems, mine) for his extended run in that city.

The dancing numbers displayed by these guys were as animated and as energetic as any you'll ever hope to see, and our former Billy easily carried the day with his charismatic role of "Race." The choreography and blocking, along with the imaginative staging is mind boggling, and knowing Ben as Billy, as we do, it was hard to keep one's eye off of his excution which appeared to be nothing less than perfect. "Race" is a big roll in this dancing extravaganza and Ben provides us with all the joyous expectations we could hold for him.

I had the wonderful opportunity to engage in conversation and to group talk and think with him, Dan Deluca, the lead, and others of the newsboys following the performance, and 'wow,'
What a generous, gracious, and welcoming group of young performers they were. All of them were in their twenties with Ben being the youngest, I believe at seventeen. Ben couldn't have been more accomodating, with the very same persona which he has obviously carried since his Billy days.

If he and the show comes your way, all I can say is don't miss it. It is a memorable theatrical experience which you will long remember.

Colin
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porschesrule
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by porschesrule »

Ben is interviewed by Dance Informa Magazine. He shares a little about his background, how he manages being a youth performer and his favorite aspects of Newsies on tour.

http://www.danceinforma.com/USA_magazin ... ok&x=0&y=0
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ERinVA
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by ERinVA »

Thanks for the link. That's an excellent interview. :D
Ellen



"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983


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porschesrule
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by porschesrule »

The LA Times has this excellent interview with Ben:

http://highschool.latimes.com/orange-co ... 15d111e5f6
kport
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by kport »

Fairfax Times posts this story about Ben, and fellow castmate Mark Aldrich, who will be returning 'home' when Newsies comes to the National Theatre next month:

http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/201 ... irfaxTimes
Todd
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by Todd »

Here's another interview with Ben regarding his return home to the Washington D.C. area to perform in "Newsies." http://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2015/06/0 ... -dc-dcmta/
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ERinVA
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by ERinVA »

Ben and fellow Newsies gave a dancing lesson on Fox5 DC's morning show today:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/clip/11592221/zi ... 9s-newsies
Ellen



"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983


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CJ-Rochester
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Re: Ben Cook

Post by CJ-Rochester »

The Newsies tour is in Memphis this week, where two Billys named Ben participated in a dance master class.

https://www.facebook.com/MrBenjaminChen ... =3&theater
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