IN CONVERSATION WITH LJ BENET
interview by JANA LETONJA
LJ Benet is stepping onto Broadway with a bite. Making his highly anticipated debut as Michael Emerson in the musical adaptation of the cult classic The Lost Boys at the historic Palace Theatre, he brings a raw, alt-rock edge to a stage often defined by tradition. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he first gained national recognition as the eccentric Karl Fink on Disney Channel’s Dog with a Blog, but this new chapter marks a bold reinvention. Beyond acting, LJ is also an accomplished singer-songwriter with over 800.000 digital streams, blending theatrical storytelling with a modern rock sensibility. With The Lost Boys, he isn’t just stepping into a role, he’s helping redefine what a contemporary Broadway leading man can sound and feel like. The Lost Boys premieres on 27th March.
Making your Broadway debut is a major milestone. What does this moment mean to you?
A lot. There was some life I had to live before getting to this point and honestly I couldn’t have dreamt this up. It’s so far beyond any expectations I had for my career at this point, I feel lucky to just have a job. Long story short, I was working as a glorified handy man in LA doing woodwork and furniture assembly so Broadway debut really takes the cake.
What drew you to the role of Michael Emerson in ‘The Lost Boys’?
Michael was me in high school. So desperate to want to be part of something that was outside the walls of my home. Never feeling quite understood, holding everything in because you don’t know who to turn to or you’re nervous to show who you really are inside. I feel so blessed that there isn’t too much I have to search for with Michael, because it’s still all there inside me.
How does this musical adaptation reinterpret the cult classic for today’s audience?
Our creative team has done such an incredible job honoring the original Warner Brothers film while still breathing new life into our adaption. Of course things will be different, but fans of the movie will be really excited to see their favorite moments onstage, and people who’ve never seen The Lost Boys will get to experience such a special story about a family looking for a fresh start. The fresh start just also happens to include vampires.
You’re described as bringing an alt-rock grit to Broadway. How does that influence your performance?
Funny enough, I trained classically as a kid and my coach in LA, Rachael Lawrence, basically taught me how to find my own sound within proper technique. I’ve definitely had to do some brushing up, and I’m really grateful for the resources ‘The Lost Boys’ has brought my way. Alt/indie/folk seems to be on the rise in shows across New York too, so ‘The Lost Boys’ just lets me do what I love to do, which is sing like me.
Growing up in Los Angeles and starting as a child actor, did you always envision yourself on Broadway?
When I was 7, I saw Phantom of the Opera, the film. My parents then took me to see it in NYC that same year and since then it’s been my literal dream to be either Phantom or Raul on stage. So to be in a show literally produced by Patrick Wilson is insane. Dreams are coming true in a way I didn’t see coming.
As a singer-songwriter, how does your own music inform your approach to a Broadway score?
Songs are just short form stories. There’s a lot of information you need to get across in 3-5 minutes, so it’s just realizing there’s so much intention behind what The Rescues have written. Honoring each word and each melody on the page because that’s the story being told.
Do you feel Broadway is evolving to embrace more alternative and genre-blending voices?
Oh yes. And I love it. Everyone loves their Sondheim and that has its place, but I just love that singers like me have an opportunity to showcase this genre of sound, especially in this classic setting.
How does live audience energy shape your performance night after night?
I’ll be honest, I do my best not to engage in the energy but it’s impossible. If the crowd is screaming and loving it, it’s so hard for me to hold back because I just want to give everything I have.
With over 800.000 streams as a recording artist, do you see your music career and theater career intersecting more in the future?
If there’s anything The Rescues have taught me, it’s that you never know where your music can end up.
What does being a “modern Broadway star” mean to you?
To me, it just means to serve the people around you more than they’re serving you. I’m so grateful for this team of stage managers, creatives, and cast that check in on me and make sure I’m doing well, but those people have lives when they go home too, so to be ignorant of that would be doing a disservice to your own character and ultimately to them. It just means be kind. That’s what the legacy of that label should be.
How has growing up in the entertainment industry shaped your resilience?
Lots of therapy. Still figuring out the resilience. I think stages and platforms don't mold the performer, it’s who you are when no one is watching. Truthfully, in terms of mental health, I learned at a young age that there’s a lot you can keep in and not tell anyone when you’re getting affirmation for your performance. People forget to check in after you step away from the mic. It’s keeping people around who know the real you, who you are behind closed doors, and they accept that version of you, more than the one that shows up on stage. So, it’s keeping those people around that know the real you off stage vs on stage.
If this debut marks a new era for you, how would you describe the artist you’re becoming?
Someone who serves. Someone who is kind. Someone whose actions speak louder than their words. I don’t think it’ll ever be perfect, but if I try my best at those things, I’ll be alright when I get home at the end of a long day.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent LJ BENET
photography HANNAH BENET
interview JANA LETONJA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
