Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
From Standby to Standing Ovation
In this episode, we sit down with Broadway actor and singer Julie Benko for a conversation about patience, timing, and the long road from the wings to center stage. Together with Rabbi David Ingber, Benko traces her journey from a childhood steeped in music and Jewish theater to years of training at NYU Tisch and working largely as an understudy in major productions. She reflects on the extraordinary turning point that made her Broadway lore — stepping into Funny Girl more than 180 times — and what it meant to suddenly navigate visibility, pressure, and acclaim. The conversation moves between theater and music, including her collaboration with her husband Jason Yeager and her new album Euphonic Gumbo, a love letter to New Orleans. Touching on Jewish identity, her current role as Emma Goldman in Ragtime, and the realities of balancing art, partnership, and motherhood, Benko offers thoughtful reflections on readiness, resilience, and what it truly means to arrive.
Learn more about Julie’s work: juliebenko.com
Stream Julie’s new album c44.lnk.to/EuphonicGumbo
Follow Julie on IG instagram.com/jujujuliebee
Rabbi Ingber’s IG instagram.com/rabbiingber
92NY Bronfman Center Events: 92ny.org/jewish-life
Producer: Efrat Bigger
Content Editor: Maya Gayer
Video Editor: Sean Kennedy
Music By: Shimon Smith
Special Thanks: Eden Sidney Foster
Your support helps us continue creating online content for our community. Donate now: 92NY.org/Donate
Facebook: facebook.com/92ndStreetY
Instagram: Instagram.com/92ndStreetY
TikTok: tiktok.com/@92ndstreety
Archives: 92ny.org/archives
From Standby to Standing Ovation
In this episode, we sit down with Broadway actor and singer Julie Benko for a conversation about patience, timing, and the long road from the wings to center stage. Together with Rabbi David Ingber, Benko traces her journey from a childhood steeped in music and Jewish theater to years of training at NYU Tisch and working largely as an understudy in major productions. She reflects on the extraordinary turning point that made her Broadway lore — stepping into Funny Girl more than 180 times — and what it meant to suddenly navigate visibility, pressure, and acclaim. The conversation moves between theater and music, including her collaboration with her husband Jason Yeager and her new album Euphonic Gumbo, a love letter to New Orleans. Touching on Jewish identity, her current role as Emma Goldman in Ragtime, and the realities of balancing art, partnership, and motherhood, Benko offers thoughtful reflections on readiness, resilience, and what it truly means to arrive.
Learn more about Julie’s work: juliebenko.com
Stream Julie’s new album c44.lnk.to/EuphonicGumbo
Follow Julie on IG instagram.com/jujujuliebee
Rabbi Ingber’s IG instagram.com/rabbiingber
92NY Bronfman Center Events: 92ny.org/jewish-life
Producer: Efrat Bigger
Content Editor: Maya Gayer
Video Editor: Sean Kennedy
Music By: Shimon Smith
Special Thanks: Eden Sidney Foster
Your support helps us continue creating online content for our community. Donate now: 92NY.org/Donate
Facebook: facebook.com/92ndStreetY
Instagram: Instagram.com/92ndStreetY
TikTok: tiktok.com/@92ndstreety
Archives: 92ny.org/archives
