Etai Benson

Etai Benson is an Israeli-American actor whose Broadway career spans from 2003 to 2021. Born in Haifa, Israel, he trained at Stagedoor and the Moscow Art Theatre School and attended the University of Michigan. Prior to 2017, he performed under the name Etai BenShlomo.

Benson made his Broadway debut in the role of Boq in Wicked. He later joined the Broadway cast of The Band's Visit in 2017, originating the role of Papi, and won a Grammy Award for the original cast album of that production. He also starred in An American in Paris during his Broadway tenure.

In July 2019, Benson played Nate in an industry presentation of The Devil Wears Prada, appearing alongside Emily Skinner and Krystina Alabado. That October, producers announced his casting as Paul in a revival of Company, a production notable for its gender-swapped role of Jamie, portrayed by Matt Doyle. The show began previews but its opening was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Benson returned to the role of Paul when Company resumed performances in November 2021.

Beyond Broadway, Benson played Motel in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Fiddler on the Roof in 2023. The following year, he starred as Seymour in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Little Shop of Horrors, with costars Talia Suskauer and Latrice Royale. In 2025, he joined the cast of Wonderful Town at New York City Center Encores!, playing Frank Lippencott.

Benson is Jewish and identifies as Israeli-American. He is married to actress Alexandra Socha, who also appeared in Wicked, and together they have a child.