Photo Coverage: Ben Vereen Receives Gold Coast Art Center's Lifetime Achievement Award

Internationally acclaimed superstar Ben Vereen received the Gold Coast Arts Center's Lifetime Achievement Award at an opening night reception of the Gold Coast International Film Festival on Monday, November 4, 2019 at the Krasnoff Theater at Tilles Center in Brookville, New York

As part of the evening's festivities, there was a VIP cocktail reception with Ben Vereen; performances by the award-winning Uniondale (NY) High School show choir, Rhythm of the Knight; and the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award followed by a special, intimate conversation with Mr. Vereen, led by Frank DiLella, the Emmy Award-winning host of "On Stage" seen on Spectrum News' NY1. The evening concluded with a dessert reception.

"Ben Vereen's talent and versatility as a singer/dancer actor/performer, coupled with his ardent advocacy for the arts, made him the ideal choice to receive the Gold Coast Arts Center's Lifetime Achievement Award," stated Ms. Gil. "From his Tony Award-winning role in 'Pippin,' stellar performance in such musicals as 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' 'Fosse,' 'Chicago,' and 'Wicked' to his brilliant performances in films like 'Sweet Charity' and 'All That Jazz,' there are few entertainers as accomplished and recognized as Mr. Vereen. And, let's not forget his memorable role as Chicken George in the groundbreaking television series 'Roots' that made Ben Vereen a household name."

Vereen has spoken before Congress in defense of the National Endowment for the Arts against proposed budget cuts. For his humanitarian efforts, he has received several awards including Israel's Cultural and Humanitarian Award, three NAACP Image Awards, and an Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. Ben Vereen has also been inducted into The Theatre Hall of Fame and the Dance Hall of Fame, and he has received the Broadwayworld.com's Cabaret Award for Best Celebrity Male Vocalist.

Among Ben Vereen's recent projects include the television series "Bull" and "Magnum P.I.," both on CBS; FOX's "Star" produced by Lee Daniels; "Sneaky Pete" with Bryan Cranston (Amazon), "Rocky Horror Picture Show" (20th Century Fox); "Time Out of Mind" with Richard Gere and "Top Five" with Chris Rock. He is currently working on his new Broadway musical, "Reflections," written by Joe Calarco, to be directed by Tony-nominee Josh Bergasse with music by Stephen Schwartz.

Performing at the tribute to Ben Vereen were the award-winning Uniondale High School's show choir, Rhythm of the Knight, the 2018 Fame Show Choir National Champions. Known for their vibrant energetic style, Rhythm of the Knight has performed at numerous venues, competitions, and events in the greater New York Tri-State area and beyond, and has been featured on NBC's "Today," CNN, "FOX and Friends," FOX 5's "Good Day NY," ABC's "Here and Now," FiOS1 News, News12 Long Island, and in Newsday and the New York Times.

Uniondale Schools are a partner with the Gold Coast Art Center's Kennedy Center Partners in Education initiative that assists underserved communities in developing a plan for expanded arts education, ensuring access to the arts for all students in grades K-8.

Photo Credits: Neil Tandy, Felice Lebow and Karen Rubin

Regina Gil, Gold Coast Arts Center Executive Director

Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen & Caroline Sorokoff, Director Gold Coast International Film Festival

Ben Vereen & Frank DiLella

Regina Gil & Ben Vereen

Caroline Sorokoff, Judi Bosworth, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor,Jean Celender, Mayor Great Neck, Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive, Jon Kaiman, President Gold Coast Arts Center

Ben Vereen & Edwina Sandys, World -renowned artist

Jon Kaiman, Viviana Russell, Councilwoman, Regina Gil, Judi Bosworth, Laura Curran

Uniondale High School Choir

Ben Vereen & Richard Blau, Board Member

Ed D'Ambrosio, Sponsor Senior Executive Manager Sales Douglas Elliman

Caroline Sorokoff Film Festival Director & Frank DiLella, NY1