Ode to Ben Fankhauser
Leave a commentNovember 11, 2012 by breesalmon
Happy Half-Birthday, Ben!
Born May 11, Ben Fankhauser is a fiercely talented performer and an unbelievably kind human being. He made his Broadway debut playing the role of Davey in Disney’s “Newsies the Musical,” a role he originated at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. He is also very well known for his portrayal of Ernst in the first national tour of “Spring Awakening.”
Aside from being a megastar with a riff-tastic voice (See Newsies Got Swag if you haven’t yet!), Ben is also a kind heart who is wonderful to his fans. I knew that Ben needed a post dedicated to him in the blog when I saw him at the stage door one night – he ran through the line, signing Playbills and taking pictures like lightning, then immediately left the theatre and took off down the street. He obviously had somewhere he needed to be, but he still took time to come to the stage door and say hi to the fans. I’ve seen him admit that he has other places to get to as he’s signing a poster. I’ve seen him hold up the line to ask a fan where they’re from or answer a question. I’ve never seen him refuse a fansie a picture. Of the 19 Newsies Playbills I have, only one doesn’t have his signature on it.
Beyond the stage door, Ben is always reaching out to the fans by participating in #SIP (Saturday Intermission Pics) and appearing in numerous Newsies videos such as Meet the Newsies: Davey and Newsies Love Their Fansies.
Make sure you follow Ben on Twitter (@PlznFankU – c’mon, that’s an AWESOME Twitter handle!) as well as @BenAddicts, the “Ben Fankhauser Fans” account. Celebrate #BensdayWednesday weekly with us, commend this amazingly talented guy, and give him a big “thank you!” for always giving of himself to his fans. Ben, we hope you know that your dedication to and love for the fansies is noticed and appreciated! Break a leg!
