Ben McHugh’s theatrical career

began at age seven, cast as a Roman soldier in his junior primary school’s annual Easter production.  Opening night he bursts on stage shouting - ‘Empty! It’s empty! Jesus’s tomb is empty!’ - then slips and falls center-stage, winding himself. Since that inverted debut, he has worked professionally across the globe on stage, film, and TV.

A graduate of the prestigious West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Ben has performed in the Australian National Tours of PIRATES OF PENZANCE, SHOUT! and as the Lead Tenor in the original Australian Cast of THE PRODUCERS. Other credits include KING LEAR, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, NO SEX PLEASE... WE'RE BRITISH, CHESS, ANYTHING GOES and A FUNNY THING… FORUM.

He appeared regularly as a guest singer on Bert Newton's GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA (Ten Australia), and was privileged to sing the New Zealand National Anthem at the 2005 Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup, which has been viewed over SEVENTY THOUSAND TIMES on Youtube. He has also sailed the seas as Lead Vocalist with P&O Australia and Princess Cruises.

Moving to the states in 2009, Ben’s many credits include the Broadway National Tours of HAIRSPRAY and MAMMA MIA; regional JEKYLL & HYDE, SECRET GARDEN, TITANIC; off-Broadway LIBERTY, TOKIO CONFIDENTIAL, FIFTY SHADES OF F****D UP, SKIN, DILL (OR THE PICKLE GUY) directed by acclaimed actor Jesse Eisenberg and the immersive experience SLEEP NO MORE.  In 2015, Ben made his Broadway debut in the smash hit musical, MAMMA MIA!

He has appeared in the Russell Crowe showtime mini-series THE LOUDEST VOICE, and acted opposite Donnie Wahlburg in BLUE BLOODS. Other film credits include PAID FOR BY… and SKY.

In 2020, Ben registered his filmmaking company, Brooklyn Oz Productions, and has been steadily writing, producing, and directing. His short films BIG BEAR, GREGORY, and RILEY have won both critical and festival acclaim, including Best Short, Best Director, Best Script, and many others.