Ben Vereen to Bring Solo Show to Schimmel Center This Month

The legendary Ben Vereen will bring his one-of-a-kind show business electricity to the Schimmel Center at Pace University (3 Spruce Street in downtown Manhattan) for one night only in STEPPIN' OUT WITH BEN VEREEN on Saturday, May 30 at 7:30pm.

Few entertainers are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen. Best known for his Tony Award-winning performance in Pippin, Ben has also appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Hair, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Recently, Ben was featured in the Chris Rock film Top Five, and later this year can be seen in the feature film Time Out Of Mind, co-starring Richard Gere.

In STEPPIN' OUT WITH BEN VEREEN, the great showman takes to the stage to recreate some of his iconic performances and to put a new spin on old favorites.

Ticket prices for STEPPIN' OUT WITH BEN VEREEN at Schimmel Center range from $49-$69. The performance will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased online at schimmel.pace.edu, by calling (866) 811-4111 or (212) 346-1715, or in person at Schimmel Center Box Office, open Monday-Friday from 1pm-6pm. Schimmel Center is located at 3 Spruce Street in downtown Manhattan.

Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country's artistic legacy. His first love and passion is and always will be the stage. "The theater was my first training ground. It taught me discipline, dedication and appreciation of hard work and values that will stay with me a lifetime. The stage sharpens the creative instrument and encourages you to go deeper inside and try new things," states Ben.

On Broadway, Ben Vereen has appeared in Wicked, Fosse, I'm Not Rappaport, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grind, Pippin, Jelly's Last Jam and A Christmas Carol. His role in Pippin garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for "Best Actor in a Musical." Clive Barnes of the New York Post stated, "Ben Vereen - unquestionably one of the finest performances seen on Broadway."

While performing worldwide, Ben's acting credits continue to give us memorable roles that stand the test of time, such as the unforgettable Chicken George in Roots and Louis Armstrong in Louis Armstrong - Chicago Style. Ben's television guest appearances include recurring role on "How I Met Your Mother"; "Grey's Anatomy," for which he won the Prism Award; "Law and Order: Criminal Intent"; "NCIS"; Tyler Perry's "House of Payne"; "OZ"; "Touched By An Angel"; "Second Noah"; "New York Undercover"; "The Nanny"; "Star Trek - The Next Generation"; "The Jamie Foxx Show"; "The Promised Land"; and "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

Ben was recently featured in Chris Rock's film, Top Five, which opened to critical acclaim last December. Later this year, he can be seen in the feature film Time Out Of Mind, co-starring Richard Gere.

Ben was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his performance in the Hallmark movie An Accidental Friendship. In 2004, Ben was nominated for a "Career Achievement Award" by the Le Prix International Film Star Awards Organization. Ben celebrated Eartha Kitt's 80th birthday in concert at Carnegie Hall to multiple standing ovations and in front of the Armed Forces for those men and women who have served in Iraq, truly a major highlight of his career. In 2009, he performed at the Inaugural Ball and entertained at the reopening of the Ford Theatre in Washington, D.C., which was attended by President Obama. On January 30, 2012, Ben was inducted in to The Theatre Hall of Fame. Ben performed for 100,000 people at the Washington Monument on July 4, 2012 and on August 11, Ben was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame. Ben also received the Broadwayworld.com 2012 Cabaret Award Best Celebrity Male Vocalist for his dazzling two-week run at the New York City's 54 Below. In May of 2013, Ben received his honorary degree from the LaGuardia School of Performing Arts.

In 2014, Ben founded the Ben Vereen Awards. The Mission of the Ben Vereen Awards San Diego Competition is to utilize a competitive Tony Awards-style adjudication process to find the very best of high school musical theater talent in San Diego County; and, in collaboration with the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA), to present these talented young performers with a unique scholarship opportunity to advance their educations and careers in the genre of musical theater. The NHSMTA, also known as The Jimmy Awards, is named after Chairman James M. Nederlander. It celebrates outstanding student achievement in high school musical theater in the areas of vocal, dance, and acting performance.

Ticket prices for STEPPIN' OUT WITH BEN VEREEN at Schimmel Center range from $49-$69. The performance will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased online at schimmel.pace.edu, by calling (866) 811-4111 or (212) 346-1715, or in person at Schimmel Center Box Office, open Monday-Friday from 1pm-6pm. Schimmel Center is located at 3 Spruce Street in downtown Manhattan.