David Benoit (actor)

David Benoit
Born1966 (age 57–58)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer, musician
Years active1992–present

David Benoit (born 1966) is an American actor and singer most known for being a replacement in the original Broadway run of Les Miserables. His most recent Broadway credit is playing the Bishop and Spider in the Broadway revival of Jekyll & Hyde.[1]

Early life and education

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Benoit, who accepts both the Americanized (pronounced "Benoyt") and French (pronounced "Benois") pronunciations of his name,[2] was born in Fall River, Massachusetts and lived on Raymond Street for four years[3] before moving to nearby Somerset, Massachusetts with his father, a bus driver, his mother, two sisters and a brother.[4][5]

He graduated from Boston Conservatory in 1988 with a degree in musical theatre and moved to New York City.[5] He also had 8 years of tuba playing and is somewhat of an amateur puppet maker, having made his own puppets while in Forbidden Broadway.[6]

Acting career

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After moving to New York in the summer of 1992, he worked on Broadway and touring companies of shows such as Forbidden Broadway, Forever Plaid, Dance of the Vampires, All Shook Up, Avenue Q, Les Miserables, Young Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde and Phantom of the Opera.[5] He also performed in the Actor's Fund concert of Dreamgirls.

Stage credits

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Broadway

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  • Les Misérables (1997-2002) --
    The Bishop of Digne/Montparnasse/Diner
    Understudy Javert & Thenardier
    (Replacement)
  • Dance of the Vampires (2002) -- as Villager, Vampire and Creature of the Night
  • Avenue Q (2007) -- as Bear/Nicky/Trekkie Monster (Replacement)
  • Jekyll & Hyde (2013) -- as Bishop of Basingstoke, Spider

Off-Broadway

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  • Forever Plaid—as Sparky (Replacement)
  • Forbidden Broadway 1992 (1992) -- Replacement
  • The Big Bang (2000) -- as Jed (Understudy)
  • Forbidden Broadway Summer Shock! (2004)

Regional/ National Tours

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References

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  1. ^ "David Benoit – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  2. ^ Horwitz, Jane (November 4, 2009). "At Studio, evil Mr. Zero's a role with a lot to gain". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  3. ^ http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/ENTERTAIN/803060305&cid=sitesearch [dead link]
  4. ^ "Somerset native David Benoit to perform in 'Jekyll & Hyde' at Providence Performing Arts Center".
  5. ^ a b c "Actor Revels in Monstrous Role - Lebanon Daily News". Archived from the original on 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  6. ^ Rodman, Sarah (9 March 2008). "'Avenue Q' keeps puppeteer's hands full - The Boston Globe". Boston.com.
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