"Where Is Love?" from Oliver! at New York City Center

Benjamin Pajak performs "Where Is Love?" from "Oliver!" The classic show will be performed at New York City Center, as part of its Encore! series May 3-14. In this touching moment, the young actor was so overcome after singing that he started tearing up (and was subsequently comforted by the show's director Lear deBessonet).
The Lionel Bart musical is based on the Charles Dickens classic novel Oliver Twist, the musical follows the story of orphan Oliver, who escapes the orphanage to the streets of Victorian London. Outside, he meets Fagin, the Artful Dodger, and a band of child pickpockets. Oliver! will be helmed by Encores! Artistic Director deBessonet and will also feature Lilli Cooper, Raúl Esparza, and Tam Mutu.
Learn more about "Oliver!" here: playbill.com/a...
Video editing: Ethan Treiman

[@fredgwynn8933]

Wow I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen how this song can be absolutley devastating

[@KT-sq2ml]

Agree. The whole show is really such a heartbreaker.

[@user-rh9uz8dk3l]

That was so amazing Benjamin my heart goes out to you ❤

[@marciaw.2194]

This young kid...always right in the moment...no ego...but huge talent. Put him on your must-watch list.

[@PowerDiva]

Absolutely. A star in the making.

[@PowerDiva]

@Michael McDade I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that the decision to change lyrics in a production did not come down to a 9 year old

[@rileyburnett720]

@Negromancy The 1968 film added those lines, the films were based on the west end and brodway shows, which did not have kneel and pray. Keith Hampshire (The Orginal Oliver-West End 1960) : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDYapiwr9mUaKM

[@Kemidov]

@@rileyburnett720 Thanks for the link (to the song from the soundtrack). You wouldn't know of any /videos/ featuring Keith Hampshire while still a youngster, would you?

[@rileyburnett720]

Unfortunately no. Not that I can find.

[@dianeravitch3656]

We went opening night. He was even better on stage than in rehearsal😊

[@tonyadams4989]

To emote like this at his age, is incredible! I am sure he will go far!

[@chrisb7142]

Oh Jeez! Those mature vocals out of this incredibly young person!? Crazy!

[@Chromolume]

Come. On! Kids and adults alike would do well to study this performance. I'm not an easy audience, but this shows how it's done! Bravo!

[@larrygates2438]

Stunning performance. I can’t wait to see where this kid’s talent takes him!

[@havelock36]

My favourite Oliver! song since I first saw it as a kid. Still making me cry 40 something years later! The wave of emotion he felt at the end said it all ♥️

[@GK-jq8fj]

This is beautiful. Pajack delivers a wholehearted performance. He is truly a shining star of his generation of performers.

[@PageNumber687x]

amazing! the power he delivers without forcing it! dear hollywood, please do a remake of the film version and cast this kid! much better than the cringey 1968 version!

[@Nikki-qy5qc]

I saw the show yesterday and that last note he hit in this song was AMAZING. He is so talented at such a young age

[@firewheels90]

This one knows how to take and make a beat and show intention/thought process in acting.

[@The5thSphinx]

Dang! Let me say that again.....DANG!!! One more time.....D-A-N-G!!!!!!!!!!! It is immediately obvious that this young one was given the great gift of an awesome talent. It takes a LOT to really impress me, and this youngster did it instantly. Bravo!!!

[@arongomez5101]

MY HEART IS BURSTING OH MY GOSH! HE IS AMAZING

[@95KIPPIE]

This is what hard work and practice practice practice does! Not sitting in front of a video game and eating Doritos all day!!! This young man has carved an enormous career out for himself!!! I praise his parents also!!

[@michaelcho7423]

The kid is sooooooo talented. He's such an amazing singer.

[@KT-sq2ml]

One of my favorite songs from the Broadway musical repertoire. This kid is amazing!

[@ldm1947]

He wasn't the only one tearing up. Wow what a performance! Brava!!!

[@joannahughes9146]

This kid is extraordinary! He's definitely going places

[@jmm8640]

Soooo good! The beautiful tone! The acting!!! His mom is also super duper talented too!!

[@kvdoglover]

I loved the reactions of everyone in the room. They knew they were watching something special. I already got Ben's autographed. I could've gotten anyone of the performer's but I got his because this kid is going somewhere.

[@florencialafuente7607]

Benjamin has a natural talent, little star!!!❤️🫶

[@stevejudkins7485]

Beautifully sung and performed. Lionel Bart would have been very proud of this interpretation.

[@jerdonsbabbler3515]

I don't know if that's necessarily true. Kid's voice is terrific but his performance is very ornate, very mannered. The director might have reigned him in a little and I think Lionel Bart would have, too. A performance that demands sympathy from an audience may elicit sympathy but will not evoke identification with a character, which is what counts.

[@lindavalentin5582]

Bravo sweetheart ❤❤!!! One of the most touching songs I know❤️

[@davidzareski4463]

Absolutely amazing! I've never seen or heard this song done better. Congratulations! 💯

[@jayleeday5585]

I went to go see him in Oliver last may at the new york city center and he killed it, this song gave me chills

[@andrewe820]

Perpetually entertaining yeah!

[@aaronkrause8560]

He emotes so well! And the vocal control and pitch are near perfect!

[@MikeCohenSF]

He's really fantastic! One of the best young performers.

[@MrBillybooks]

What an incredibly gifted young man!

[@libbyhyett6625]

The accompanist was incredible

[@surferbob9419]

Proud of this young man for putting his heart and soul into this.

[@vicks827]

Everyone should try to watch this limited performance for only 2 weeks until May 14. Oliver! was last seen on the New York stage 40 years ago.

[@Aanonymousperson]

As a singer my self, he is beautiful, this kids deserves a Nobel good guy prize

[@skiffingtonlebrac86]

Benjamin Pajak, you perform with care, feeling, and love, and bring the character to life, in an acting role that is on the reality side (i.e., you’re not acting, you are the character Oliver). You have a talent from Heaven above, that very few actors have. You’re a gift from our God Almighty, and we fans are grateful for you. We love you, and we are thankful for you. Your dynamic performance of "Where Is Love?" from "Oliver!" was extremely touching, where tears rolled down my face. My family loves you. Keep up the good work, and have fun times with your friends. 🥲 😊

[@bobagosto6441]

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! Ben

[@JerkyPuck]

Wow! He’s extraordinary!

[@Scouthide]

This kid is awesome! He could be in the Vienna Boys Choir as well! Bravo kid!

[@theresahaack3685]

Kudos Ben. Just Brilliant

[@rjsebastianelli47]

Broadway bound what a career this young boy is going to have

[@virgiliomejiasalazar3438]

Great voice

[@musicislove0974]

Mon cœur est touché. 💙💙💙👏👏👏

[@raymondjabbour7323]

Can not keep my tears away... amazing

[@patlarimore6960]

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!

[@jeemoney2424]

Holy bananas!!!! What a voice for such a young man!!❤

[@thegentlementor]

Benjamin, I hope when you wake up in the morning and look into the mirror, you see a reflection of an angel. You are so talented. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You made many people cry with this video, and wish they could perform as you do. Enjoy your youth!

[@DontUseMyWifi]

Extraordinary talent.

[@garydugas7043]

Absolutely stunning performance by this incredibly talented young man! Brought me to tears!

[@tjmannion1]

I am really, really looking forward to this production. See you all there!

[@dkuhs]

This young man is amazing . All the best & break a leg ! ❤️🌹

[@t.crawford4542]

Goosebumps.

[@chookaschookas444]

Great voice and interpretation

[@michaelroth237]

Such a pro already!

[@singer34109]

This child is going to be a huge star

[@tessonstage]

That's gorgeous! ❤ Superb work.

[@Pachecure]

Marvelous talent who makes us feel! Great performance.

[@stephaniewirth505]

Omg ...so amazing ❤❤❤❤❤

[@leocadiang7730]

I got chills, bravissimo. So talented

[@TheRanaro]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lagattanera15]

I lissen his most beautiful voice repeat forever

[@michaelbilgen2976]

He sounds amazing! Gave me goosebumps!

[@Billie_Marie_]

WOW!!! Just wow! So much emotion.

[@Schwansonian_Townsonian]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@soeclair]

U​ were really good I loved it.😊😊😊

[@cydneygara2284]

Bravo Benjamin!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ColorsofHopeCraftsASMR]

I’ve never heard or seen it sung like that.

[@ItsTheTRIPP]

Incredible. Wow.

[@melodysafo5437]

This kid is going places!

[@scp-se-jp2867]

Beautiful

[@kgayda2920]

Very talented young man!

[@prestonnorris9822]

Bless His Heart 👍🏼👏🏼🙌🏼

[@josephebneth2604]

He was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@simonessillylife]

Oh wow he’s so good😮

[@AnonymousT8535]

I know right!

[@simonessillylife]

I am your definition. Asssss

[@AnonymousT8535]

Thanks cuh

[@bayleeberkley]

What a talent.

[@boddouce]

I’ve never seen a better version.

[@arjunrajasekar7144]

Well done😢

[@richjansen1293]

perfecto

[@BridgeLil]

I see Ben Platt in him, even the names!!

[@entertainmentlife430]

Yes!!! Oliver ill come find u!!@

[@momama1]

Wowza kiddo! You are going to be a star!!!

[@ZilchFan66]

He is going to go places

[@micheleburdetteelmore2162]

Bravo, young man!

[@user-yl3zh9zd6y]

素晴らしい👏👏👏

[@KathleenFrench]

OMG. Crying! 💗

[@doncapellani6409]

My God!! Bravo❤❤

[@MoominJude]

Pity the film didn't have a singer of this quality

[@jll2985]

PHENOMENAL

[@danielwinner3735]

Perfection

[@Schwansonian_Townsonian]

Looking forward to future performances young man. You're one of many ppl I will honestly pay supid money to see!

[@glenconmc]

Great.

[@ti2m2]

Isn't this the kid from Music Man?

[@MrQwerty88]

Nailed it!

[@composer19la]

❤

[@jskim9130]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 from Korea

[@juliedrennan9264]

Omg!!!!!!!

[@zezehbritto5104]

Lindo 😘

[@yeet8627]

this kid omg..

[@justingreen2432]

He would be a great choice for the new Harry Potter series.

[@stevefragnito4853]

I'm pretty sure I saw 👁🍨👁 LOVE sneak out the back door and hop on a bus to Patagonia.

[@ineedaname3416]

Is this the person who played Greg from diary of a Wimpy kid?