Spotlight On: Benjamin Elling

Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of The Wedding Singer. Get to know Benjamin Elling who is portraying Sammy in our production!

Introduce yourself to our audience.

Hey, I’m Ben. I’m a chemistry professor at Wesleyan University. I spend a lot of my time dreaming up organic molecules to synthesize in my lab, but I’ve been longing to get back on the stage for years now!

What aspects of your character do you find most relatable or challenging to portray?

What I love about playing supporting roles is you often get to play some ridiculous characters. And Sammy can certainly be ridiculous—he’s crude, a bit dense, and has some crazy hair. But what’s fun is finding the humanity. He’s a beer-drinking bro who doesn’t want a steady chick… but he also wants to be loved! So finding those real, vulnerable moments is my challenge when I get on the stage.

How do you prepare for a performance, both physically and mentally?

I’m finding that I’m lifting a lot of people in this show, so I think going to the gym is going to be a big part of my preparation. Shoutout to Middletown CrossFit for keeping me in fighting shape!

What Is your favorite moment or song in “The Wedding Singer” and why?

I first saw a production of “The Wedding Singer” when my former high school put it on, and I left the theatre thinking, “damn, they really gave the character Holly was given all the best songs.” So I’d say my favorite moments in the show are anytime Julia Stone gets to belt her face off.

When did you first start performing?

I was five years old when my parents signed me up for dance classes. I was always a shy kid with poor control over my limbs, but when I got up on the stage for the first time, I knew I was hooked.

What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up?

I’m usually a pretty serious person. If you find me right before the curtain opens, I’ll probably be looking rather stoic, mentally getting myself prepared.

What’s your favorite 80’s song/band/performer and why?

I absolutely love pop music from the 80s. I think the best way to create a modern hit single is to break out your drum machine and 80s synth. But if I had to pick, I’d probably just have to say Journey. They just scream early 80s arena rock. And their song “Don’t Give Up on Us” from 2022 is a banger!

What do you hope audiences take away from this production of “The Wedding Singer”?

Honestly, I hope they take a page out of Sammy’s book and turn their brains off for a couple hours. Soak up all that 80s nostalgia and rock out!

“The Wedding Singer” opens on July 11th and runs through July 20th at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!

“A good-natured, harmless, high-energy knockoff of the 1998 Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore romantic comedy” — LINDA WINER of NEWSDAY

“The Wedding Singer has more heart and a better sense of humor about itself than some of its similarly wacky, winking peers.” — ELYSA GARDNER of USA TODAY