Ben was never in "Shrek" The Musical. A new leading man is preparing to don the famous mask in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cameron Mackintosh said, “It is always thrilling to find an exciting new ‘Phantom,’ and in Ben Crawford, we have a real find. Ben Crawford is a FSU Alumnus.
Ben Crawford (Photo by Caitlin McNaney for Broadway.com) A devilishly handsome leading man with a killer voice, Ben Crawford has primarily shone on Broadway over the last decade in comedic roles—most notably charming audiences under a pile of prosthetics as Shrek and primping as Veruca Salt’s ridiculous Russian father in Ben Crawford, Actor: Submerged.
Ben graduated from FSU with a Bachelor's Degree. Ben is currently performing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera at The Majestic Theatre on Broadway. The longest-running show in Broadway history, and one of the most successful worldwide stage productions of all-time, Phantom will welcome Broadway’s Ben Crawford when he takes over the iconic title role beginning Monday, April 16.
He was born to Tim and Terri Crawford on December 21, 1987. In addition, there have been five limited engagement replacements: Jeff Keller, Ted Keegan, Brad Little, Gary Mauer and Laird Mackintosh. Justin Crawford, Evan Crawford, and Erin Crawford are his younger siblings. He will take this legendary musical into its fourth triumphant decade on Broadway, after its recent spectacular 30th Anniversary celebrations that were headed by acclaimed international star Peter Jöback, who will play his last performance as ‘The Phantom’ at the end of this month.”Crawford will become the 16th man to officially take over the role in the Broadway production.
Ben was in the IB Program at Ridgeview High School. He follows (in order): original star Michael Crawford, Timothy Nolen, Cris Groenendaal, Steve Barton, Kevin Gray, Mark Jacoby, Marcus Lovett, Davis Gaines, Thomas James O’Leary, Hugh Panaro, Howard McGillin, John Cudia, Peter Jöback, Norm Lewis and James Barbour. Now the notably nice-guy actor is exploring his dark side, and reaching new heights, as the 16th star to play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera. Ben is the oldest of 4 children.