LA Times: Original 'Leading Player' Vereen Cheers on PIPPIN at The Mark Taper

Ben Vereen earned a Tony Award for his singing and dancing in Pippin, and while his vast and celebrated career has taken him far beyond those early days of that Fosse hit, his heart will always belong to the stage. Vereen was there for the opening night of the CTG and Deaf West Theatre production of Pippin at the Mark Taper Forum.

He spoke to the Los Angeles Time about performing in the original Broadway mounting, and how much the show still matters to the audience...and him. Vereen explained to the LA Times that "Pippin" holds an undeniably central spot in his heart. "Well, first of all, it got me a Tony," he said with a loud laugh that echoed outside the theater minutes before the opening night curtain. "It was also an honor to work with Bob Fosse. There was nothing more rewarding."

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The Los Angeles cast includes Michael Arden, Jonah Blechman, Dan Callaway, Bryan Terrell Clark, Nicolas Conway, Rodrick Covington, James Royce Edwards, TL Forsberg, Sara Gettelfinger, Tyrone Giordano, Harriet Harris, Rebecca Ann Johnson, Troy Kotsur, José F. Lopez, Jr., John McGinty, Anthony Natale, Aleks Pevec, Victoria Platt, Ty Taylor, Nikki Tomlinson, Melissa Van Der Schyff and Alexandria Wailes.

Tony Award winning, the musical is composed by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) and is directed by Jeff Calhoun. Deaf West Theatre is best known to Los Angeles audiences for their CTG productions of Big River, at the Taper and Sleeping Beauty Wakes at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

Pippin runs at the Mark Taper Forum through March 15, 2009. Tickets can be purchased online at www.centertheatregroup.org or at the box office located at 135 N. Grand Ave, at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles.