Denée Benton

Denée Ayana Benton (born c. 1991/1992[1]) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her performance as Natasha Rostova in the 2016 musical Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award.[2][3] Benton assumed the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton, beginning performances on October 30, 2018.[4] Her television acting credits include UnREAL and The Gilded Age.

Denée Benton
Benton in 2017
Bornc. 1991 or 1992 (age 31–32)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
EducationCarnegie Mellon University (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active2013–present
Spouse
Carl Lundstedt
​
(m. 2020)​

Early life and education

Benton was raised in Eustis, Florida.[1] She named Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella as an early inspiration for her desire to act.[5]

She attended Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida, before graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014.[3]

Career

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. Later she was cast in the titular role of Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 with the American Repertory Theatre; she made her Broadway debut when that show opened at the Imperial Theatre on November 14, 2016.[3] Benton received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical nomination for her role in the show.[5] 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.[6][7]

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.[4] She left the show on February 24, 2019.[8]

As of 2022, Benton is a main cast member on the HBO historical drama series The Gilded Age, playing Peggy Scott.[1] It was announced in February 2022 that HBO was going to renew this show for a second season.[9]

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.[10] In November, she reprised her role replacing Krysta Rodriguez in the Broadway revival of the show. She left the production 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.[11]

Personal life

Benton began dating Carl Lundstedt in 2014, whom she met in her acting program at Carnegie Mellon University. They married in 2020.[12]

Theatre credits
Year(s) Production Role Location Category
2014–15 The Book of Mormon Nabulungi N/A U.S. National Tour
Prince of Wales Theatre West End
2015–16 Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Natasha Rostova American Repertory Theater Regional, Pre-Broadway
2016–17 Imperial Theatre Broadway
2017 Of Thee I Sing Mary Turner Carnegie Hall MasterVoices Concert
2018–19 Hamilton Eliza Hamilton Richard Rodgers Theatre Broadway
2022 Into the Woods Cinderella New York City Center Encores!
St. James Theatre Broadway

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2013 The Narrative of Dalvin Reynolds Felicia Short film
2018 Mother's Milk Lark
2019 Our Friend Charlotte

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2016 UnREAL Ruby Carter 10 episodes
2018 25 Morgan Television film
2022 The Gilded Age Peggy Scott Main cast[13]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2017 Tony Awards Best Leading Actress in a Musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Nominated
Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Nominated
Theatre World Awards Honoree

References
  1. Radloff, Jessica (January 24, 2022). "How The Gilded Age's Denée Benton Made Sure Peggy Scott's Story Was Told Right". Glamour. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  2. "Denee Benton Theatre Credits". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  3. Gioia, Michael (July 29, 2016). "Get to Know Broadway's Natasha, Newcomer Denée Benton". Playbill. Retrieved August 22, 2016. The actress, who played Natasha...at Boston's American Repertory Theater this past winter, has been chosen to reprise her performance for Broadway...
  4. "Denée Benton & Carvens Lissaint to Join the Cast of Broadway's Hamilton". Broadway.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  5. Soloski, Alexis (May 11, 2017). "Denée Benton, Tony Nominee, Embraces Her Inner Natasha". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  6. Bastién, Angelica Jade (August 10, 2016). "UnREAL's Denée Benton on Why a Character Like Ruby Is Important and Representation in Hollywood". Vulture. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  7. Petski, Denise (January 29, 2016). "'UnReal': Monica Barbaro, Denée Benton & More Join Season 2 Cast On Lifetime". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  8. "Denée Benton (Performer)". Playbill. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  9. "The Gilded Age Season 2 Officially Confirmed At HBO". ScreenRant. February 15, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  10. "Into the Woods | New York City Center".
  11. "Denee Benton Will Reprise Role of Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS on Broadway".
  12. "This Actor Couple's Florida Wedding Was Filled With Sunset-Color Flowers and the Sounds of a Junkanoo Band". Vogue. June 10, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  13. Petski, Denise (November 19, 2019). "'The Gilded Age': Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson & Simon Jones Join HBO Period Drama". deadline.com/. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
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