Ben Vereen News

Honeymoon in Vegas will star television, screen and stage icon Tony Danza (Who's the Boss?, Taxi, The Producers, A View From The Bridge, The Iceman Cometh) as Tommy Korman, a widowed and unscrupulous gambler looking for another shot at love. Leading the company are Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin) as Jack Singer, Brynn O'Malley (Annie) as Betsy Nolan, Tony nomineeNancy Opel (Memphis, Urinetown) as Bea Singer, Matthew Saldivar (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Johnny Sandwich and David Josefsberg(Wedding Singer) as Tony Rocky/Roy Bacon

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, the metro areas only local, professional musical theatre company, is excited to announce the return of hometown actress Meg Gillentine in Mel Brooks' hysterical Tony Award-winning THE PRODUCERS, playing tonight, August 9th through the 25th at the Cobb Civic Center's Anderson Theatre.

From July 29-August 21 in New York City, StudentsLive, the premier Broadway Education Company, has brought 48 South Korean students ages 8-14 to NYC (and the United States) for the very first time as they participate in the StudentsLive 'Passport to Broadway' Program (first started in 2009, www.PassportoBroadway.com). This unique cultural experience aims to expose the students (who at the start speak little or no English) to American history, theater and music as they rehearse and put together a special final performance, a musical titled 'Journey to America' which will take place on Tuesday, August 20 at 8pm at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center (248 West 60th Street). This is the 10th South Korean group to participate in the program and other countries have included China, Brazil, Guatemala and Japan.

Tackling a show like Pippin takes some major cojones. The original Bob Fosse production featured an iconic, Tony Award winning performance from Ben Vereen and was the first Broadway musical to feature the work of composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The current Broadway revival of Pippin just won four Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress, Best Actress, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Revival of a Musical. Pippin is certainly not a safe choice for a troupe of young performers like the High School and college age artists of SummerStock Austin. That said, the award-winning SummerStock Austin never takes the safe road, and their courageousness pays off with their exciting, enjoyable, and thrilling production of Pippin.

Earlier this year, on March 18, Van Dean, Kenny Howard, and Michael J. Moritz, Jr. brought together a melange of Broadway's most impressive young talent for WHEN I GROW UP: BROADWAY'S NEXT GENERATION, a cabaret concert at 54 BELOW. Kenny Howard says that this group inspired him 'not only with their talents but also with a maturity that is far beyond their years.' For this cabaret concert, the children tackle the adult repertoire of their heroes, taking on music from SPRING AWAKENING, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AVENUE Q, [TITLE OF SHOW], and more.

The Deering Estate at Cutler's Cabaret Concert Series features intimate concerts inside the historic Stone House Ballroom. The concert today, July 27th will feature Wendy Pedersen and Jim Gasior and the concert on Saturday, August 31st will feature Ariel Pocock.

What happens when you cross one of pop culture's fiercest mutants with on of Broadway's most cherished legends? Check out the hilarious viral photo that has been making its rounds on Facebook below!

The Deering Estate at Cutler's Cabaret Concert Series features intimate concerts inside the historic Stone House Ballroom. The concert on Saturday, July 27th will feature Wendy Pedersen and Jim Gasior and the concert on Saturday, August 31st will feature Ariel Pocock.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, the metro areas only local, professional musical theatre company, is excited to announce the return of hometown actress Meg Gillentine in Mel Brooks' hysterical Tony Award-winning THE PRODUCERS, playing August 9th through the 25th at the Cobb Civic Center's Anderson Theatre (548 S. Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). Tickets and information available at www.AtlantaLyricTheatre.com or 404-377-9948.

Stephanie worked with Fosse back in the '80s, and has come out of semi-retirement to dance Fosse-style again (and understudy the lead role) in the Tony-winning revival.

According to the LA Times, Reprise Theatre has officially closed its doors after a long hiatus since 2012.

on tour with the Bolshoi Ballet in the US, she defected and immediately was in great demand internationally as a guest artist. She marked her Broadway debut in 1982 as Vera Baronova in the revival of On Your Toes, featuring Balanchine's Slaughter on Tenth Avenue ballet. Ms. Kozlova joined the New York City Ballet in 1983 as Principal Dancer and remained with the company until 1995, dancing lead roles choreographed by such dance icons as George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, Richard Tanner and Eliot Feld.

After 25 years as a professional critic, Peter Filichia has seen, heard, and written about it all. In this very personal celebration of his life in the theatre, Filichia is sharing his most interesting moments, including adventures with nice actors (Jerry Orbach), not-so-nice ones (Mary Tyler Moore), and being face to face with Ben Vereen after giving him a bad review.

STAGES ST. LOUIS is thrilled to announce new staff appointments to STAGES' Turley Performing Arts Academy. Broadway Veteran, Vince Pesce will assume the position of Director of Education at STAGES Kent Center for Theatre Arts, the new state-of-the-art facility, effective immediately. Pesce replaces longtime Education Director Rob Grumich, who will remain during the transition through July. Also, Tali Allen Liddell will become the Manager of Community Programs and Partnerships.

After 25 years as a professional critic, Peter Filichia has seen, heard, and written about it all. In this very personal celebration of his life in the theatre, Filichia is sharing his most interesting moments, including adventures with nice actors (Jerry Orbach), not-so-nice ones (Mary Tyler Moore), and being face to face with Ben Vereen after giving him a bad review.

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, Broadway's high-flying spectacular, celebrates the second anniversary of its historic opening night tonight, Friday, June 14, 2013.

Today in 1977, Pippin closed at the Minskoff Theatre, after having played 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

Theatre World Award Alumni Courtney B. Vance, Anika Noni Rose, Ben Vereen, Christine Lahti, Tony Sheldon, Lea Salonga, Isabel Keating, Phillip Boykin, Jessie Mueller, Jackie Hoffman, Wesley Taylor, Patricia Elliott, Meg Bussert, Crystal A. Dickinson, with special guestNathan Lane, all took part in the 69th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony last night, June 3, 2013 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street), home of the current Broadway revival of Pippin. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration and you can check out highlights and interviews with the honorees below!

Theatre World Award Alumni Courtney B. Vance, Anika Noni Rose, Ben Vereen, Christine Lahti, Tony Sheldon, Lea Salonga, Isabel Keating, Phillip Boykin, Jessie Mueller, Jackie Hoffman, Wesley Taylor, Patricia Elliott, Meg Bussert, Crystal A. Dickinson, with special guestNathan Lane, all took part in the 69th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony last night, June 3, 2013 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street), home of the current Broadway revival of Pippin. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration and you can check out photos from Part 2 of the ceremony below! Don't forget to check out Part 1!