Benjamin Pajak

The Lost Boys are here, and I will never be the same. The Lost Boys is vampires, guitars, rock bands—basically everything my 15-year-old self thinks is the coolest thing ever. Dark, a little creepy, loud, and full of music… it’s the ultimate story. But it’s also so human. And in a lot of ways, it feels like a cinematic reflection of my own life. The first time I saw what Michael Arden was creating—the set, the actors, the world—I cried. Because somehow, it felt like my story coming to life… minus the vampires. It’s always been just me and my mom. We’ve had incredible highs, but it hasn’t always been easy. She’s sacrificed so much so I could chase this dream. What we have is something really special—honestly, hard to even put into words. I wasn’t the biggest or strongest kid growing up. Not great at sports. I loved theater, music, storytelling—and that made me different. And when you’re young, different isn’t always easy. Not many 7-year-olds are singing songs from Finding Neverland on the playground. But my mom saw me. She knew I needed a place where I could just be me. For me, that place was acting class. It became somewhere I could feel things, process things, and step into someone else’s shoes—and somehow feel stronger doing it. What started as a safe place became the place I wanted to be all the time. And eventually… it became my superpower. This really feels like a full-circle moment for me. I love how Lost Boys holds both the dark and the light. I’ve had my own dark moments—but it was always humor, creativity, and storytelling that pulled me through. I hope you come see The Lost Boys and find a piece of your own truth in it. These actors give everything, and the world they’ve built is incredible. This story transported me when I first read it alone in my bedroom a year ago… and I know it will do the same for you 🖤 Shoshana and LJ are the family that I needed. Shoshana is just pure sunshine and LJ is the brother I never had. Along with everyone in this cast, the most supportive and best humans on Broadway, I couldn’t be any luckier. You need to see this magic. 🪄🧛🐸❤️ 📸Valerie Terranova 👔 Jake Sokoloff @lostboysmusical

Thank you, @youngartistawds for this nomination for my work in @amazonmgmstudios movie, Playdate, starring Kevin James and Alan Ritchson, directed by @mr.lukeg . This was my first time working with improv and comedy on set, and so grateful to learn from these professionals, including my buddy, Banks Pierce. @banks.pierce Thanks to everyone for making Playdate such a success on @primevideo , thanks for watching, and enjoying the ride!

Thanks, @faroutmagazine for this incredible mention, huge honor and so grateful. Wanted to share some moments from The Life of Chuck - With Mike Flanagan, Trinity Bliss, Mark Hamill, Mia Sara, and Cody Flanagan. Thanks Chuck, and thanks @faroutmagazine !

Still trying to process this… I’m incredibly honored to be nominated for a Dorian Award for Best Performance in a Musical for The Lost Boys. 🧛🐸❤️ Getting to play Sam has meant more to me than I can fully put into words. He starts off as this nerdy 14-year-old kid who never really feels like he fits in and spends so much of the story trying to understand where he belongs and who he truly is. But along the way, he discovers his bravery, fights to protect the people he loves, and becomes the hero his family needs. I love this little guy so much. Every day at the Palace Theatre I keep finding new layers to Sam — new qualities, new fears, new strengths — and that’s because I get to do this alongside the most incredible cast and company. Sam loves fiercely, protects his family at all costs, and finds a new family along the way. Love being able to share him with our incredible audiences. And so wonderful to have creatives recognized for their incredible talents. @michaelarden , our director, @hornsbone @chrishoch4 for book, @therescues for score - such an incredible acknowledgement of the strength in this show. So grateful for this nomination, for this show, for this cast, and for everyone who has supported me and believed in me along the way. Thank you!! 🎭🥰 @dorianawards @lostboysmusical @shobean @ljbenet ❤️❤️❤️ @jennifer.duka @miguelito.gil 🐸❤️ @paulalexandernolan @ali.louis @maria_wirries 🧛❤️

Our family. @lostboysmusical ❤️❤️❤️ The Family Equality Gala - Night at the Pier, at Pier 60, NYC - a fundraising gala, celebrating with an evening of incredible performances and storytelling, and honoring Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, for their recognition of their visibility, advocacy, and enduring commitment to LGBTQ+ families. They were presented with an award by Elton John and David Furnish. The Lost Boys were invited to perform, such an honor to attend this year’s event! So much fun to celebrate with you all!! @familyequality @lostboysmusical lostboysmusical Thank you, @carissagaughran for this last pic, love. ❤️🥰

Lucy Emerson, the mother that you are. Cheers to our fearless girl.

✨Had to mention two things!✨ I was so honored to take fans behind the scenes in The Lost Boys for @broadwaycom , and to be their featured vlogger!! I hope you enjoyed getting to know our Broadway family. It was just so much fun to share these moments with you. And if you love Broadway, @broadwaycom is a MUST right now. I love their articles, their predictions, and all their hosts. I will miss you, @broadwaycom !! ❤️❤️❤️🎭 AND….I am just thrilled to announce that @ljbenet , my big brother, Michael, has just won The Theater World Award. An actor can only win this award during their Broadway Debut - and he won this as playing a lead in our show, one of the biggest shows to hit Broadway in a very long time. LJ Is the very best of humans, with such a kind and loving heart. And the sweetest dog, Boston! As much as I love the person, I am just blown away by his incredible talent on that stage - his vulnerability, his raw, open heart, and that hugmongous voice! OMG, he is the real deal. Broadway is so lucky to have him. And I finally have a Big Brother. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ @theatreworldawards @broadwaycom @lostboysmusical @ljbenet @shobean

2 Show Theater Days are a killer! 🧛😂 Need to keep my brain busy. Need to keep my brain busy. Need to keep my ADHD brain busy. See you at Chess.com twice a week!! (Ok, who am kidding……😉) Or see you at The Palace. @lostboysmusical

Get your first look at @lostboysmusical post Tony nominations this morning! The new musical took home 12 nominations! 🩸 #broadway #lostboys

12 Tony Nominations, including Best Musical!! @lostboysmusical I can’t tell you how high I feel right now, as I walk to my job - I can’t wait to hug everyone and feel how amazing it is to celebrate with everyone. @shobean and @ali.louis I can’t wait to see how happy you are and give you huge hugs. @michaelarden and ALL the creatives, I’m so glad incredibly happy for you and so honored to share this moment with you. Could not be happier for these amazing humans and incredible performers. Not a bad gig at 15, gotta say, feeling pretty good today. Thanks for all your support!! 🧛🐸❤️ More to come! 😉

When your friends surprise you…. Had no idea @iain was coming to the show! We’ve talked on IG, missed each other at events, but finally had the chance to have a really nice conversation after the show. It means so much to talk to real kids in this business, and I’m so glad we had a chance to connect. And man, does he know theater. Such a down to earth guy, so nice to talk with you. Thanks, Iain! Yes, that’s my dance partner in @lifeofchuckfilm - @misstrinitybliss !!!!! No one knows what it’s like to go to dance boot camp with @nopenother - we survived to tell about it! She has been such a good friend. I’m so happy to hear her making her way in this music industry and with that little Avatar movie that she’s in! (Check out the lyrics in this song - it may remind you of a Chuck moment….😉) @lostboysmusical

So grateful. To have had the chance to play these roles with these incredible artists - no, it doesn’t seem real. I am incredibly lucky to be given this chance in this industry. I have had only the best experiences in this town. It truly has been a magical time growing up, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. This was my playtime as a kid… and now as I’m older, it’s grown up playtime to me. Being on that Broadway stage each night, it’s good to be back home. No, I’ll never get used to this. @musicmanbway @nycitycenter - Oliver! @lincolncenter - Merkin Hall, Nine @yorktheatre - Golden Rainbow @figaromusical @lippaandrew - I Am Harvey Milk @sacmusicals - Ragtime @lostboysmusical