Ahmad Simmons to Play Ben Vereen in FOSSE/VERDON

By: Feb. 11, 2019
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

Ahmad Simmons to Play Ben Vereen in FOSSE/VERDON

Ahmad Simmons took to Instagram to announce the news that he will be playing legendary stage actor Ben Vereen in the FX limited series "Fosse/Verdon."

In the post, Simmons said, "So I've been sitting on some big news because it's still so hard for me to process but here it is!! I will be appearing in the upcoming @fosseverdonfx miniseries as the entertainment genius that is Ben Vereen."

He continued on to say, "This year, while only a month in, has really been knocking me out. I'm so lucky to get to live in the legacy of Fosse's work while taking a walk inside the shoes of the ultimate song and dance man Mr. Vereen. He's an idol. He's an untouchable talent. He a spiritual guider. He's now a mentor."

See the post below!

Simmons will appear in the upcoming Broadway musical Hadestown, which began rehearsal yesterday. He previously starred on Broadway "Cats," He has also performed with the Pittsburgh CLO, Parsons Dance Company, River North Dance Chicago, and Eisenhower Dance Detroit. He could be also be seen in the 2017 ABC live production of "Dirty Dancing".

FX's highly-anticipated Fosse/Verdon limited series will premiere Tuesday, April 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX, Fosse/Verdon is an eight-episode limited series from award-winning producers Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Joel Fields. Production on the series is currently underway in New York City.

Based on Fosse, the BIOGRAPHY written by Sam Wasson, Fosse/Verdon tells the story of the singular romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. He was a visionary filmmaker and one of theater's most influential choreographers and directors. She was the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Together, they changed the face of American entertainment - at a perilous cost. Featuring Fosse's choreography, the series explores the hidden corners of show business, the price of pursuing greatness, and the suffering inflicted in the name of art.

Fosse/Verdon stars four-time Academy Award® nominee Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon, and Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell - who received a Best Supporting Actor nomination yesterday for Vice - as Bob Fosse. Norbert Leo Butz and Margaret Qualley also star, along with a stellar recurring cast that includes Aya Cash, Nate Corddry, Susan Misner, BIANCA Marroquin, Kelli Barrett, Evan Handler, Rick Holmes, Paul Reiser, Ethan Slater and Byron Jennings.

Kail, Levenson, Miranda, Fields, Rockwell, Williams and George Stelzner are Executive Producers of the limited series that is produced by FOX 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.? Levenson wrote the premiere episode, which was directed by Kail.

Actress, dancer and producer Nicole Fosse, and daughter of Fosse and Verdon, serves as Co-Executive Producer and oversees The Verdon Fosse Legacy. Co-Producer Andy Blankenbuehler is serving as a Choreographer, as is Susan Misner. Erica Kay serves as Producer, and acclaimed composer and arranger Alex Lacamoire is serving as Supervising Music Producer.

So I've been sitting on some big news because it's still so hard for me to process but here it is!! I will be appearing in the upcoming @fosseverdonfx miniseries as the entertainment genius that is Ben Vereen. This year, while only a month in, has really been knocking me out. I'm so lucky to get to live in the legacy of Fosse's work while taking a walk inside the shoes of the ultimate song and dance man Mr. Vereen. He's an idol. He's an untouchable talent. He a spiritual guider. He's now a mentor. Forever grateful for @lakeywolffco for all you do! Oooooohhweeee! Let's go! April 9th. #fosseverdonfx #benvereen #fxtv #magictodo #tada

A post shared by Ahmad Simmons (@ahmadsimmons) on Feb 5, 2019 at 3:21pm PST



Videos