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John Benthal

@johnbenthalguitar

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•Guitarist at Lion King on Broadway
• Fretted instrument guy with NY Philharmonic
• Remote recording: Benthal_MusicLab, w collection of instruments 🕺🏼

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It’s Suntory Time…. Lip my stocking… lip my stocking!!!

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For me, a Broadway show can be thought of as a ginormous act of chamber music - one that includes the follow spot, the quick change and the baton - where every human in the company is in sync to make the show come alive.

Then there’s also the actual chamber music of a gorgeous arrangement, created for one of the masters of the craft. ❤️🙌

@christine.ebersole.official , After The Ball

“S’Wonderful”, George Gershwin

arrangement by Larry Yurman, piano
with @johnbenthalguitar

#cello #broadway #chambermusic #gershwin #americansongbook

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I was playing at the UN on 9/11. With a string quartet. The waiters told us to get out as the World Trade Center had been hit. We packed up quickly and left. So quickly that the cellist, Sean Katsuyama, left his Nurnberger(?) cello bow behind and never recovered it. As I was exiting.. in the hallway, I’ll never forget how calm and relaxed the ambassadors were, standing in front of the TV sets, calmly discussing what was going down as they were watching tower 1 in flames. Then, Ban Ki Moon came up to me and probably thinking I might be Korean, tried to strike up a conversation with me… “. I brushed him off and continued to run out. I know everybody has their own response to stress but it was a little surreal. I quickly got in my car and we drove up the westside highway w the radio on… I think we were in the 40’s when the first tower came down. It took me around 2 1/2 hours to weave through Harlem to get home in Inwood. The west side highway was a parking lot. I’ll never forget how still and beautiful that morning was driving in… I remember thinking to myself “I really should get up earlier more often….”
These incredible photos were taken by my esteemed colleague and guitar badass, kimchi brotha, John BBB Benthal, who took these from his place in Weehauken NJ as the towers went down. He just discovered these and posted them for the first time 25 years later. The b and w is my collab.

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Drinks after tonight’s performance of “Encanto” with composer @germainefrancomusic, and the guitar section; @federicoramosmusic, @johnbenthalguitar (y Yo), with the @nyphilharmonic. A wonderful night of music, and great company!

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Last rehearsal with the NY Phil before tonight's 1st performance of "Encanto". Fabulous guitar section: me, Federico "Freddy" Ramos, and John Benthal... all on multiple instruments!
Performances Tonight and Friday nights, and matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
#encanto, #nyphilharmonic

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If you're looking for plans this week, we've got you covered.

Live music all week long at #thebitterend.

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Comin up fast. Stay to see my friend Alec Berlin. Incredible instrumental music with Matt Back, Rodney Howard and Malcolm Gold. This is going to be a #MagicMonday. #mandolin #coversongs #bitterend🔥

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When you are a composer of music you have to be relentless in your ability to be curious and allow the music to inform your production.
Stay true to your core idea but allow yourself the room to change based on what instruments and parts you are adding. It’s constantly welcoming in a fresh perspective and discovering something new.
#composerlife

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Coming this week to #thebitterend! Snag those tickets now!

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2025 unfolded across Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring rooms, film, television, and concert stages. I recorded for Lear Rex starring Al Pacino, wrote and licensed original music for Hold Onto Me (premiering at Sundance), and performed on Telemundo with Pablo Alborán. I played mandolin at Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel, guitar at Jazz at Lincoln Center with Melissa Errico, and in concert with her in Washington, DC.

In theatre, I continued subbing on The Lion King and Hamilton, subbed Off-Broadway on Little Shop of Horrors and JOY, was tracked for the first national tour of Water for Elephants, and did workshops in NYC and DC. Sounds of Cyprus received two NYC grants, and I found myself in many meaningful rooms with people I admire. I am grateful and grounded in the belief that purpose meets preparation.
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#newyear #musician

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We're back! Megan Cody of @thecodysisters will be sitting in with us -- she's a phenomenal mandolin player. I'm very excited to have her on board for this one!

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