Denée Benton (born December 31, 1991) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her performance as Natasha Rostova in the 2016 musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. Benton's other Broadway credits include the role of Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton (2018) and the role of Cinderella in Into the Woods (2022). Her television acting credits include UnREAL and the role of journalist Peggy Scott on The Gilded Age.
Early life and education Benton was born and raised in Eustis, Florida. Her mother was a journalist, therapist, and businesswoman; her father was a mayor of Eustis and an airport executive. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was an early inspiration for her desire to act.
She attended Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida, before graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014.
Career Benton's first prominent professional role was her role as Nabulungi in the West End and U.S. national tour of The Book of Mormon.
Benton was cast in the titular role of Natasha Rostova in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 with the American Repertory Theatre; she later made her Broadway debut opposite Josh Groban as Pierre when the show opened at the Imperial Theatre on November 14, 2016. Benton was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the show. Later in the run, she starred opposite Okieriete Onaodowan and the show's creator Dave Malloy as Pierre. She appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on December 12, 2016, to discuss the role.
Benton gained wider prominence in her recurring role on the second season of the Lifetime series, UnREAL, as Ruby Carter in 2016.
On October 17, 2018, it was announced that Benton would assume the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton, beginning performances on October 30, starring opposite Michael Luwoye, Daniel Breaker, Mandy Gonzalez and James Monroe Iglehart. She left the show on December 8, 2019.
In 2022, Benton started acting as Peggy Scott in the main cast of the HBO historical drama series The Gilded Age, alongside Louisa Jacobson, Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski. In 2023 she was nominated alongside the cast for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
In May 2022, Benton played the role of Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods at New York City Center opposite Heather Headley, Neil Patrick Harris, Sara Bareilles, and Gavin Creel. In November, she reprised her role replacing Krysta Rodriguez in the Broadway revival of the show. She left the production on December 24. She would star opposite Creel, Brian d'Arcy James, Patina Miller, Stephanie J. Block, Montego Glover, Andy Karl, Joshua Henry, and Joaquina Kalukango.
In December 2023, it was announced that Denee will star as Susan in the production of Tick, Tick... Boom! at The Kennedy Center.
Personal life Benton began dating Carl Lundstedt in 2014, whom she met in her acting program at Carnegie Mellon University. They were married from 2020 to 2023. She is queer.
Theatre credits Year(s)ProductionRoleLocationCategory2012AnnieStar-To-Be Benedum CenterRegionalFiddler on the RoofEnsembleSunset Boulevard2013The CrucibleRebecca NurseCarnegie Mellon University2014–2015The Book of MormonNabulungi-U.S. National Tour2015Prince of Wales TheatreWest End2015–2016Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Natasha RostovaAmerican Repertory TheaterRegional, Pre-Broadway2016–2017Imperial TheatreBroadway2017 Of Thee I Sing Mary Turner Carnegie HallMasterVoices Concert2018–2019HamiltonEliza HamiltonRichard Rodgers TheatreBroadway2022Into the WoodsCinderellaNew York City CenterOff-Broadway, Encores!St. James TheatreBroadway2024 tick, tick... BOOM! Susan Kennedy CenterRegional2025PericlesThaisaThe Public TheaterOff-Broadway2026School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls PlayPaulina SarpongSamuel J. Friedman TheatreBroadway
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes2013The Narrative of Dalvin Reynolds Felicia Short film 2018Mother's MilkLark 2019Our Friend Charlotte2023GenieJulie 2024 Dreams in Nightmares Z
Television Year Title Role Notes2016UnREALRuby Carter10 episodes201825MorganTelevision film2022–presentThe Gilded AgePeggy ScottMain cast
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2016 Elliot Norton Award Outstanding Performance by an Actress Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 IRNE Awards Best Actress in a Musical 2016 IRNE Awards Winners Announced - THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, Jessie Mueller in WAITRESS, Abby Mueller in BEAUTIFUL and More! 2017 Tony Awards Best Leading Actress in a Musical Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Theatre World Awards 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesThe Gilded Age 2025Helen Hayes AwardsOutstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical – Hayestick, tick... BOOM!2026Critics' Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesThe Gilded Age“Nominations announced for the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards hosted by Chelsea Handler,” Critics Choice Association, December 5, 2025.
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