The Official Home on the Web for Neal Benari
Welcome! This is my official site on the web. In addition to acting, I am also available for coaching and directing work . I have had the privilege of working with legendary directors George Abbott, Hal Prince, Trevor Nunn, Sir Peter Hall, Martin Charnin, and Robert Falls. In 2003, I received an M.A. in Theater Education from New York University. When combined, my education and work experiences give me a unique and comprehensive theatrical perspective. Please contact me at :
Fond memories from Broadway and National Tours: Victor/Victoria, Merchant of Venice, and Sound of Music -- Julie Andrews, Dustin Hoffman, and Marie Osmond
Me as Fagin in the Engeman Theater's production of OLIVER, Northport, LI. Closed on January 4, 2009.
photo by Robert Kovach
November production of the Yeston/Kopit version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at the North Carolina Theater. It was directed by Casey Hushion, a classmate and friend from my NYU days. Saw James Taylor in an open-air concert. It was heaven.
photo by Curtis Brown
"Neal Benari is likewise terrific as Gerard Carriere..."
Robert McDowell, Classical Voice of NC, 10/19/08
In January 2008, I did a first-rate production of LEND ME A TENOR directed by BT McNichol at the Engeman in Northport, LI. That's me and Jim Poulos below.
photo by Court Watson
In December 2008, I reprised the role of Boris Thomashefsky in Michael Tilson Thomas's biographical homage to his grandparents, THE THOMASHEFSKYS. It is directed by Pat Birch. Judy Blazer, Eugene Brancoveanu, and Ronit Levy complete the cast. We received uniformly excellent reviews and standing ovations for our June performances with the Chicago and San Francisco symphonies.
courtesy of CAMI
"For the rest of the production, he [Boris] was brought to life in the wonderful actingand singing of Neal Benari. His falsetto singing of a no-show leading lady's role in the premiere of KOLDUNYE, and his Hamlet as aYeshiva student encountering the ghost of his father will not soon be forgotten."
Anna Carol Dudley, SF Classical Voice, 06/13/08
"A ringer for Boris, Neal Benari conveys a balanced portrait of the great actor,charismatic in his braggadocio and self destructive in his pathological womanizing."
Lawrence Johnson, Miami Herald ,01/15/07
In 2007 I received a Carbonell nomination for my portrayal of Cervantes/Don Quixote in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's production of MAN OF LA MANCHA.
photo by Duane Long
Bill DeYoung, TCPalm, 02/15/07
CARMEN, directed by Cirque du Soleil's Franco Dragone, ran at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2007. Below is a photo of me as the suicidal Captain Zuniga.
courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse
“Anytime and anywhere Neal brings his special voice, I know we're going to hammer that show.
Franco Dragone quoted in SD Jewish Times.