Star-To-Be: Benjamin Pajak

⭐⭐Star - To - Be⭐⭐

Benjamin Pajak

At the ripe old age of 15, one might say that Benjamin Pajak is already a star, not a "to be." But we are certain that he is on his way to a decades long, successful career (if he so chooses). This guy has shown that he can grow as an actor as he himself has grow. He did the sweet little boy - without being sickly sweet - in The Music Man. Then he did the slightly older almost tween/waif thing in an acclaimed turn in the title role of Oliver! at Encores!

Along the way, he's held his own against some pretty heavy-hitters on the stage: Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster and Raul Esparza, to name but a few. And he has a prestigious Theatre World Award to start his collection. Not bad. Then there's a growing film career, where he's played against Tom Hiddleston in The Life of Chuck, and has a feature, Tiny Fugitives and a remake of The Exorcist coming up.

For the immediate future, Broadway fans can enjoy his funny and intense performance as the comic book-loving younger brother/vampire slayer in The Lost Boys. His turn includes a sweet realization of his sexuality in the big number, "Superhero." This next step in his stage career has garnered him both Outer Critics Circle Award and Dorian Award nominations.

This star-to-be is definitely one to keep your eye on! Keep up the good work, Benjamin!

  

We said: "Among the new generation [is] the absolutely adorable, but so real and so grounded Benjamin Pajak as Winthrop Paroo. To all of their credit not a single child in this production indulges in even the slightest hint of cloying behavior."

  

  

  

We said: "As Sam, the younger brother, Benjamin Pajak continues his streak of endearing characters and remarkable natural talent. His Sam is the people pleaser of the family, fiercely protective and enthralled by the super heroes of his beloved comic book collection. The evolution of his character includes him slowly realizing that he is queer, manifested as a super hero secret identity, naturally. His big number is "Superpower," complete with a rainbow of caped crusaders fighting an army of Draculas and a pair of Elviras (it doesn't get more 80s than that!). It is very funny and ultimately touching." 

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