Julie Benko is an actor, singer, and writer based in New York City. She is currently appearing as Emma Goldman in the Broadway revival of Ragtime at Lincoln Center.

 

Benko joined the annals of theatrical legend for her sensational understudy-to-star trajectory in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, playing the role of Fanny Brice over 180 times (1 in every 3 shows!). For her performance, she earned Theatre World's Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theatre, was named the 2022 Breakout Star for Theater by the New York Times, included in Variety's 10 Broadway Stars to Watch in 2023, honored as one of 40 Under 40 for Crain's New York Business, profiled in numerous national media outlets such as the New York Times and Time, and even got a shoutout on The Simpsons.

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Julie's other Broadway credits include originating the role of Ruth in Barry Manilow’s musical Harmony as well as appearing in revivals of Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miserables. She’s starred in regional productions across the country, including as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (opposite Raúl Esparza), the title role in Jane Eyre, Girl in Once, and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. She recently made her film debut in the independent feature "Caravan." 

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Julie has released three albums—Christmas With You, Hand in Hand (both on Club44 Records) and Introducing Julie Benko—in collaboration with her pianist-composer husband, Jason Yeager. Her newest album, Euphonic Gumbo, drops this February!

 

She's played sold-out shows at NYC’s Café Carlyle, Birdland, and 54 Below, plus top venues around the U.S, and has performed as a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras nationwide. She’s a Gold Medalist and Johnny Mercer Award winner from the American Traditions Vocal Competition. She holds a BFA in Drama and an MFA in Acting (yes, both!) from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.​

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As a writer, Julie created the award-winning short "The Newlywed's Guide to Physical Intimacy, and her first full-length play Down the Line—set in New Orleans’ red-light district pre-WWI—was a semifinalist at the 2022 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference and is now in development.

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When not performing, she’s usually making music with Jason, chasing a 1,800+ day Duolingo streak, strolling through the park with her daughter Lulu, or hanging with her rescue cat, Thelonious Monk (aka Monkey). And no, she’s never auditioned for Law & Order. Not even once! Is she even a real New York actor?

To keep up with Julie, follow her on Instagram/TikTok @JujujulieBee, join her mailing list, or check the UPCOMING page to see where she's performing next!