Julie Benko to Join Ragtime Broadway Revival for Limited Time

Julie Benko (Funny Girl, Harmony) will join the company of the Broadway revival of Ragtime in 2026.

Benko will take over the role of Emma Goldman from Shaina Taub January 6, for a run through March 29. Taub previously announced her leave of absence, taking to social media to reveal that she recently experienced three pregnancy losses that necessitate she take time away to heal. Taub will return to the role March 31.

The production has also announced a series of casting adjustments for the new year: Ellie May Sennett will take over the role of The Little Girl beginning January 6, with Aerina Deboer joining the company as the understudy for the role. Paul Slade Smith will join the company as Grandfather from January 13 through February 8, with Tom Nelis, who originated the role, returning on February 10.

Lastly, beginning February 4, Tim Semon will take over as Production Stage Manager.

Broadway's current revival of Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Terrence McNally's Ragtime will continue through June 14 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. The extension will ensure that the production is still around for the height of 2026 Tony Awards season.

The production stars Joshua Henry as Coalhouse Walker, Jr., Caissie Levy as Mother, Brandon Uranowitz as Tateh, Colin Donnell as Father, Nichelle Lewis as Sarah, Ben Levi Ross as Mother's Younger Brother, Anna Grace Barlow as Evelyn Nesbit, John Clay III as Booker T. Washington, Rodd Cyrus as Harry Houdini, and Nick Barrington as The Little Boy.

Ragtime opened October 16 after beginning previews September 26—read what critics had to say here. Newly appointed LCT Artistic Director Lear deBessonet is at the helm after creating the production last year for a short gala run at New York City Center. A cast album will also be released, though a date has not been announced.

READ: Is Ragtime Even More Timely Now Than It Was During the 2024 Presidential Election?

The current cast also features Tabitha Lawing as The Little Girl, along with Nicholas Barrón, Lauren Blackman, Allison Blackwell, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Jordan Chin, Billy Cohen, Rheaume Crenshaw, Charity Angél Dawson, Ellie Fishman, Jason Forbach, Ta’Nika Gibson, David Jennings, Kaleb Johnson, Marina Kondo, Morgan Marcell, Kane Emmanuel Miller, Tom Nelis, Kent Overshown, Kayla Pecchioni, John Rapson, Deandre Sevon, Jacob Keith Watson, and Alan Wiggins. Swings and understudies Eean Sherrod Cochran, Kerry Conte, Nick Gaswirth, Jackson Parker Gill, Jenny Mollet, Matthew Scott, and Ellie May Sennett round out the company. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Craig Burns.

The production features choreography by Ellenore Scott, set design by David Korins, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Adam Honoré, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by 59 Studio, and hair and wig design by Tom Watson. Music director James Moore is conducting a 28-piece orchestra playing the original orchestrations by William David Brohn, and vocal arrangements by Flaherty. Ann James is sensitivity specialist, and Cody Renard Richard serves as production stage manager.

Based on a novel by E.L. Doctorow, Ragtime blends fact and fiction telling the story of New York City at the dawn of the 20th century, with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Flaherty, and lyrics by Ahrens. The story focuses on Coalhouse Walker, Jr., a Black man who buys a Model T Ford and sets off a chain of events that encompass all levels of New York City society, along with magician Harry Houdini, industrialist Henry Ford, celebrity party girl Evelyn Nesbit, civil rights leader Booker T. Washington, architect Stanford White, anarchist Emma Goldman, a Jewish Latvian immigrant who becomes a movie director, and an upper class white family living in suburban New Rochelle.

READ: The Making of Broadway’s Ragtime, an Oral History

The LCT staging is being produced in association with Tom Kirdahy, Kevin Ryan, Robert Greenblatt, and Lamar Richardson.

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