Ben Cook (actor)
Benjamin Cook | |
|---|---|
 Ben Cook in 2016 | |
| Born | Benjamin Tyler Cook December 11, 1997 Eden, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | Professional Performing Arts School |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, dancer, singer |
| Years active | 2007–present |
Benjamin Tyler Cook (born December 11, 1997)[1][2][3] is an American actor, singer, and dancer. He appeared in four Broadway productions: Ragtime, Billy Elliot the Musical (for which he was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award), Tuck Everlasting, and Mean Girls. He has also performed in two Broadway national tours, Billy Elliot the Musical and Newsies the Musical; and appeared on television in episodes of 30 Rock, House of Cards, Veep, Law & Order: SVU, and in the HBO film Paterno.
Musical Theatre roles
Cook is best known for his musical theatre roles.[4] He made his Broadway debut in Ragtime, at the Neil Simon Theatre, understudying and performing the role of "Edgar (the little boy)". He performed in several productions at both Ford's Theatre and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C.[5] Cook then returned to Broadway in the role of "Tall Boy" in Billy Elliot the Musical, at the Imperial Theatre, and played the roles of "Michael," then "Billy" in the North American National Tour of the production. His final tour performance as "Billy" was in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19, 2013.[6] Later, he toured for a year and a half in the role of "Race" and occasionally performed the role of "Crutchie" as the understudy in the first national tour of Newsies the Musical.[7]
On January 15, 2016, it was announced that on January 31, 2016, after over 500 performances, Cook would leave the national tour of Newsies to become a member of the original Broadway cast of the new musical, Tuck Everlasting, based on the 1975 children's novel written by Natalie Babbitt. Previews began on March 31, 2016[8] but the show closed on May 29, 2016, after 28 previews and 39 performances.[9][10]
Cook subsequently reprised his work in the role of "Race" in Newsies, in the filmed production of the stage musical, which received a limited release in February 2017.[11][12]
On July 27, 2017, it was announced that Cook was cast in the world premiere of the musical adaptation of the film Mean Girls. Its pre-Broadway debut is slated for October 31, 2017, at the National Theatre, in Washington D.C. The book of the musical is written by Tina Fey. Casey Nicholaw, who also directed Cook in Tuck Everlasting, directs and SNL creator Lorne Michaels is the producer.[13][14][15][16]
Televison roles
On television, Cook has appeared as "Young Jack" to Alec Baldwin's "Jack Donaghy", on 30 Rock, in the episode entitled, "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish;"[17] as well as appearances, as Walt, in the episode of the HBO series Veep titled "The Choice"[18] and as Heather Dunbar's son in the episode "Chapter 27" of the Netflix series House of Cards.[19] Following the filmed production of Newsies, Cook filmed an appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing the role of "Adam Turner," in the episode titled "Great Expectations."[20][21]
Film roles
He is set to appear in the upcoming film adaptation of West Side Story as a member of the Jets.[22] West side story is set to appear in theaters on Feb. 6, 2020.[23]
Personal life
Cook was born in Eden, North Carolina, and grew up in New York City and Lorton, Virginia.[24] He is the youngest child of Jill and Glenn Cook. His mother is an assistant director[25] of the American School Counsellor Association. His father is a photographer, blogger, and publishing consultant.[26]
Cook attended the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City for middle school and some of high school.[27]
Filmography
Theatre
| Theatre | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Title | Role | Theatre | Note |
December 30, 2007 |
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April 13, 2008 |
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December 28, 2008 |
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March 8, 2009 |
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May 17, 2009 |
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January 10, 2010 |
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April 4, 2010 |
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October 14, 2011 |
Understudy: Michael[35] |
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January 22, 2012 |
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May 19, 2013 |
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January 31, 2016 |
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March 31, 2016 - Opened on: April 26, 2016[39][40] - Closed on: May 29, 2016[41][42] |
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December 3, 2017 |
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March 12, 2018 Opened on: April 8, 2018 Cook's last performance: April 8, 2019[45] |
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Television and film
| Television and film | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Episode | Original Air date/Release Date | Network |
Awards
| Theatre | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Production | Theatre |
| Nominated[50] | |||||
References
- ^ Benjamin Cook. Performer Playbill. 2016; retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ Benjamin Cook Theatre Credits BroadwayWorld.com. Copyright Wisdom Digital Media. 2016; retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ Benjamin Cook profile, ibdb.com; retrieved February 12, 2015
- ^ BWW Interview: Benjamin Cook of TUCK EVERLASTING Talks Dance and Broadway Gianluca Russo. Broadway World. March 11, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Benjamin Cook Internet Broadway Database; retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ "Meet Billy Elliot: Ben Cook", TheSkyKid.com; retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ Disney NEWSIES official website Archived October 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine; retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ Tuck Everlasting Begins Broadway Previews Today Robert Viagas. Playbill. March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016
- ^ "Broadway Musical Tuck Everlasting Posts Closing Notice" Archived May 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Robert Viagas. Playbill, May 24, 2016
- ^ Broadway Musical Tuck Everlasting Closes Today Robert Viagas. Playbill. May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016
- ^ Disney Theatrical Productions Presents Disney's Newsies The Broadway Musical Fathom Events. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ "Newsies" Movie Shooting Soon Glenn Cook: Words, Photos. August 10, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Mean Girls musical officially finds its cast Marc Snetiker. Entertainment Weekly. July 27, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017
- ^ Tina Fey’s Broadway-Bound ‘Mean Girls’ Sets Cast Jeremy Gerard. Deadline. Hollywood. July 27, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017
- ^ Mean Girls Musical Finds Its Plastics in Taylor Louderman and Ashley Park; Additional Casting Announced Ryan McPhee. Playbill. July 27, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017
- ^ Broadway-Bound Mean Girls Musical to Star Erika Henningsen, Taylor Louderman & More Andy Lefkowitz. Broadway.com. July 27, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017
- ^ "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish", imdb.com; retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ Ben on HBO's "Veep", glenncook.virb.com; retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "Ben Cook on 'House of Cards'”, kids-on-tour.net Kids on Tour; retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ Great Expectations Law & Order SVU. Great Expectations. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ THE KING AND I Press Coverage, Ben Cook on Law and Order: SVU, and more! Emily Lang. Kids On Tour. October 19, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Fierberg, Ruthie (April 16, 2019). "Tony Nominee Mike Faist, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Maddie Ziegler, More Join Steven Spielberg's West Side Story Movie". Playbill. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ "'West Side Story' Broadway Revival Cast Unveiled (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
- ^ Growing Up "Normal", glenncook.virb.com; retrieved October 18, 2015.
- ^ About ASCA. Contact Us Archived May 16, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, schoolcounselor.org; retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ^ About Me. A Biography in 178 Words, glenncook.virb.com; retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ^ "Lorton's Ben Cook, 14, takes starring role in 'Billy Elliot' national touring production - Metro Arts". metropolitanarts.org. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
- ^ Ponick, Terry (January 9, 2012). "Ben Cook – talented young DC area performer is outstanding supporting player in Billy Elliot". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Macbeth Run Extended at Folger Theatre". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ FORD’S THEATRE REOPENS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE OF THE HEAVENS ARE HUNG IN BLACK Fords Theatre Heavens Release, January 30, 2009; retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "RAGTIME to Be Filmed January 8 for Lincoln Center Archives". Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "Photo Flash: RAGTIME Plays Final Show on Broadway January 10". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Benjamin Cook". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Walter Bobbie Directs GOLDEN AGE At The Kennedy Center 3/12-4/4". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Cast list for Billy Elliot at the Imperial Theatre". Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Meet Billy Elliot: Ben Cook". BETM. October 20, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
- ^ "Ben Cook and Noah Parets Join BILLY ELLIOT's National Tour". May 19, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ "Seize the Day!: National Tour of Disney's Newsies Launches Today". October 11, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "Broadway Premiere of 'Tuck Everlasting' Sets Complete Cast", Broadway.com, January 15, 2016; retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Tuck Everlasting Opens on Broadway Tonight Robert Viagas. Playbill. April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016
- ^ "Broadway Musical Tuck Everlasting Posts Closing Notice" Archived May 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Robert Viagas. Playbill, May 24, 2016
- ^ Broadway Musical Tuck Everlasting Closes Today Robert Viagas. Playbill. May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016
- ^ Benjamin Cook Playbill. 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016
- ^ Benjamin Cook Playbill. 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018
- ^ Cook, Ben. "@bentylercook instagram". @bentylercook instagram. Instagram. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish 30 Rock. Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Chapter 27 House of Cards. The Choice. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ The Choice Veep. The Choice. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Great Expectations Law & Order SVU. Great Expectations. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Lehman, Daniel. "Helen Hayes Award Nominees Announced". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
External links
- Ben Cook at the Internet Broadway Database
- Ben Cook at IMDb
