Julie Benko Joins Broadway's Ragtime as Emma Goldman Beginning Tonight

Julie Benko officially joins the cast of Ragtime as Russian-born anarchist Emma Goldman tonight, January 9 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. She steps in through March 29 for Shaina Taub, who is taking a previously announced leave of absence and will return on March 31.

Benko made her Broadway debut in 2014 as an ensemble member and understudy for Cosette in Les Misérables. She gained recognition in 2022 when she temporarily replaced Beanie Feldstein in the role of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, staying on as the Fanny Brice alternate after Lea Michele took over the role. In 2023, she played Ruth in the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical Harmony.

In more previously announced Ragtime casting news, Paul Slade Smith joins the company as Grandfather from January 13 through February 8, temporarily filling in for Tom Nelis, who returns on February 10.

Ragtime stars Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz, Colin Donnell, Nichelle Lewis, Ben Levi Ross, Anna Grace Barlow, John Clay III, Rodd Cyrus and Nick Barrington.

Featuring a book by Terrence McNally and a score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime is a sweeping musical adaption of E.L. Doctorow’s novel that follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th century. Lear deBessonet directs the production, which will play through June 14.

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