Marc Dicianni

Ben Vereen takes audience members through a poignant and mesmerizing night, reliving his fondest performance memories, emotional triumphs and tribulations from his career, homage to his idols, and all of his best Broadway highlights.

Attending a Ben Vereen show these days is like worshipping at the altar of Happy. As he displayed once again on Monday's opening night of his latest run at Feinstein's/ 54 Below, the veteran entertainer exudes palpable pleasure at being on stage while repeatedly expressing gratitude to his audience. Performance is deeply sincere. Vereen seems possessed by spirit. When not singing, eyes often closed, his body echoes the sinuous (Bob Fosse) movement that helped established his early reputation.

On Friday December 18 the legendary Ben Vereen came to Catalina Jazz Club for his latest one-man cabaret An Evening with Ben Vereen. Backed by three fabulous musicians, musical director David Loeb at the piano, Tom Kennedy on bass and Marc DiCianni on drums, Vereen took the stage for 70 minutes and let fly. There was enough energy and passion abounding for three performers, let alone one. Known as a primo dancer, that was at a minimum, as he is approaching 70, but he moved in constant rhythm across the stage and back as he lovingly sang 20 songs, mostly from Broadway. There was very little patter; Vereen poured his soul into the work and kept his packed house begging for more.

Broadway legend and Tony Award winner Ben Vereen opened his hit show, "Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen," last night, July 10, at 54 Below. The show runs through July 21. A high energy tribute to the music of Broadway, along with musical selections made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr., audiences can expect to hear classics such as 'Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries', 'Mr. Bojangles' and even 'Defying Gravity'. BroadwayWorld was on hand for a special sneak peek at Vereen's final rehearsal and brings you complete photo coverage of the event below!