Notices and Reviews
Grand Hotel
Neal Benari is chilling in the role of Doctor Otternschlag. He opens the show with a dramatic monologue while injecting himself with morphine and provides the right mood for the dark, mysterious, and dramatic story to begin. Doctor Otternschlag is often on stage watching and analyzing the eccentric characters that pass through the hotel, and Benari's stage presence is mesmerizing as he watches from above.
Natasha Ashley, Broadway World, Jul. 15, 2019
Cincinnati King
Neal Benari plays the blustering Nathan. He resists the temptation to make his character any more loveable. So we see a man who is persuasive without ever being charming, intimidating without ever being threatening. He is, in every way, the Boss From Hell.
David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, November 2018
RAGTIME
Thanks in large part to the immeasurably talented cast that has been assembled; this is a “Ragtime” for the record books. With visions of the originals so firmly instilled in ones mind, it is a true testament that Neal Benari as Tateh outshines his predecessor.
Broadway World, June 2005
Neal Benari is superb as Tateh, making this character's rocky journey from penniless immigrant to Hollywood mogul touching and joyous.
Musicals 101, June 2005
Neal Benari invests humor and heart into the role of Tateh, the penniless immigrant Jew who becomes a pioneer in the film industry.
Variety, June 2005
In a role with all the potential for cliche, Neal Benari brings an ingratiating virility to his performance as Tateh, the ingenious Jew who is devoted to his daughter (Alona Bach) and destined for success as a movie mogul. Benari’s charismatic presence also helps us believe in his being able to attract Mother (Rachel York), who is not only gorgeous but splendid as the compassionate center of the WASP family and who is about to take one of the era’s first pro-feminist stands.
Simon Saltzman, Princeton Info, Jun 21, 2005
My Fair Lady (Regional Tour)
In his windowpane wool suit, Neal Benari's Higgins is handsome, overweening and exasperated by the strength of Eliza. Benari's flawless performance is about as good as it gets--anywhere.
Wendell Brock, Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2/6/04
Finally, in Neal Benari, we have a Higgins (bossy and impossible as ever) whom any Eliza could easily fall in love with. He is easily the most virile of all of the Scientists of Speech… Finally I understand why Eliza comes back at the end. Thank you, Mr. Benari, for clearing that up.
Richard Green, KDHX review 10/16/03
Aida (National Tour)
Neal Benari nails the role of Radames' father, Zoser.
Jim Volz, Orange County Register 10/01
But there are political machinations behind the scenes, too--particularly Radames' father, Zoser (a fine performance by Neal Benari of the original Broadway cast).
Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News 7/13/01
Oklahoma!
And we get an unusually dashing Ali Hakim from Neal Benari, proof that there's life in dialect humor if you go about it wittily.
Michael Phillips, Pioneer Press 12/23/98
Oliver
Neal Benari's Fagin was nothing less than perfect.
Joe Blenkle, Sacramento Stage &Theatre 7/97
Victor/Victoria (Broadway)
But we saw the show on Wednesday night, with Neal Benari...Benari was excellent – very sexy.
Liz Smith, NY Post (nationally syndicated) 6/27/97
Call Me Madam
Among the other performers, the standouts are Jonathan Hadley...Vanessa Dorman...and especially Neal Benari as the suave, Old World nobleman who captures Sally's heart.
Howard Kissel, NY Daily News 5/23/96
Everything Mr. Benari sings or says has the ring of sincerity and truth.
Larry Ledford, Press-Journal 4/25/96
But the real joy is the performances, particularly from Leslie Uggams and Neal Benari in the lead roles.
Stuart Duncan, Princeton Packet 4/19/96
When Neal Benari as Cosmo Constantine, the prime minister, and Miss Uggams join forces...the chemistry is palpable.
Liz Keill, Independent Press 4/17/96
The Sound of Music (national tour with Marie Osmond)
This is a first-rate touring production with a superb cast--especially Neal Benari as the stern, aloof Capt. Georg Von Trapp.
Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News 2/22/95
His rendition of "Edelweiss" toward the show's close is guaranteed to send shivers down the spine of even the most resolute listener.
K. Dowd, Kalamazoo Gazette 9/10/94
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Broadway)
There are winning contributions from Marc Kudisch...and from Neal Ben-Ari as a humorously hangdog Simeon.
John Simon, New York Magazine 11/22/93
Sweeney Todd
Neal BenAri, as the play's namesake, offers a stunning portrayal...BenAri's talents grant Todd the Barber a razor's edge balance between madness and lunacy...
Anchorage Daily News 4/7/91
Grand Hotel
Neal Benari is chilling in the role of Doctor Otternschlag. He opens the show with a dramatic monologue while injecting himself with morphine and provides the right mood for the dark, mysterious, and dramatic story to begin. Doctor Otternschlag is often on stage watching and analyzing the eccentric characters that pass through the hotel, and Benari's stage presence is mesmerizing as he watches from above.
Natasha Ashley, Broadway World, Jul. 15, 2019
Cincinnati King
Neal Benari plays the blustering Nathan. He resists the temptation to make his character any more loveable. So we see a man who is persuasive without ever being charming, intimidating without ever being threatening. He is, in every way, the Boss From Hell.
David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, November 2018
RAGTIME
Thanks in large part to the immeasurably talented cast that has been assembled; this is a “Ragtime” for the record books. With visions of the originals so firmly instilled in ones mind, it is a true testament that Neal Benari as Tateh outshines his predecessor.
Broadway World, June 2005
Neal Benari is superb as Tateh, making this character's rocky journey from penniless immigrant to Hollywood mogul touching and joyous.
Musicals 101, June 2005
Neal Benari invests humor and heart into the role of Tateh, the penniless immigrant Jew who becomes a pioneer in the film industry.
Variety, June 2005
In a role with all the potential for cliche, Neal Benari brings an ingratiating virility to his performance as Tateh, the ingenious Jew who is devoted to his daughter (Alona Bach) and destined for success as a movie mogul. Benari’s charismatic presence also helps us believe in his being able to attract Mother (Rachel York), who is not only gorgeous but splendid as the compassionate center of the WASP family and who is about to take one of the era’s first pro-feminist stands.
Simon Saltzman, Princeton Info, Jun 21, 2005
My Fair Lady (Regional Tour)
In his windowpane wool suit, Neal Benari's Higgins is handsome, overweening and exasperated by the strength of Eliza. Benari's flawless performance is about as good as it gets--anywhere.
Wendell Brock, Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2/6/04
Finally, in Neal Benari, we have a Higgins (bossy and impossible as ever) whom any Eliza could easily fall in love with. He is easily the most virile of all of the Scientists of Speech… Finally I understand why Eliza comes back at the end. Thank you, Mr. Benari, for clearing that up.
Richard Green, KDHX review 10/16/03
Aida (National Tour)
Neal Benari nails the role of Radames' father, Zoser.
Jim Volz, Orange County Register 10/01
But there are political machinations behind the scenes, too--particularly Radames' father, Zoser (a fine performance by Neal Benari of the original Broadway cast).
Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News 7/13/01
Oklahoma!
And we get an unusually dashing Ali Hakim from Neal Benari, proof that there's life in dialect humor if you go about it wittily.
Michael Phillips, Pioneer Press 12/23/98
Oliver
Neal Benari's Fagin was nothing less than perfect.
Joe Blenkle, Sacramento Stage &Theatre 7/97
Victor/Victoria (Broadway)
But we saw the show on Wednesday night, with Neal Benari...Benari was excellent – very sexy.
Liz Smith, NY Post (nationally syndicated) 6/27/97
Call Me Madam
Among the other performers, the standouts are Jonathan Hadley...Vanessa Dorman...and especially Neal Benari as the suave, Old World nobleman who captures Sally's heart.
Howard Kissel, NY Daily News 5/23/96
Everything Mr. Benari sings or says has the ring of sincerity and truth.
Larry Ledford, Press-Journal 4/25/96
But the real joy is the performances, particularly from Leslie Uggams and Neal Benari in the lead roles.
Stuart Duncan, Princeton Packet 4/19/96
When Neal Benari as Cosmo Constantine, the prime minister, and Miss Uggams join forces...the chemistry is palpable.
Liz Keill, Independent Press 4/17/96
The Sound of Music (national tour with Marie Osmond)
This is a first-rate touring production with a superb cast--especially Neal Benari as the stern, aloof Capt. Georg Von Trapp.
Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News 2/22/95
His rendition of "Edelweiss" toward the show's close is guaranteed to send shivers down the spine of even the most resolute listener.
K. Dowd, Kalamazoo Gazette 9/10/94
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Broadway)
There are winning contributions from Marc Kudisch...and from Neal Ben-Ari as a humorously hangdog Simeon.
John Simon, New York Magazine 11/22/93
Sweeney Todd
Neal BenAri, as the play's namesake, offers a stunning portrayal...BenAri's talents grant Todd the Barber a razor's edge balance between madness and lunacy...
Anchorage Daily News 4/7/91