Ben Vereen News

Ben Vereen will perform at the Landmark on Main Street tonight, March 13, 2015 at 8PM in STEPPIN' OUT LIVE.

For 40-some years now, Stephen Schwartz's Pippin, the musical about an inquisitive young man in search of meaning in his life - and, notwithstanding, the actual meaning of life - has enraptured audiences, inspired legions of theater devotees and provided any number of young men (and a not insignificant number of young women, either, we suppose) with their go-to audition song in 'Corner of the Sky.'

Versatile entertainer Ben Vereen will bring his one-man show to the Suncoast Showroom April 18 and 19.

When you're spending all your time on the road, life can be…well, challenging…even if you are Sasha Allen, who stars as The Leading Player in the completely spectacular and altogether magical national touring company of Pippin, the Tony Award-winning Stephen Schwartz musical that's been mesmerizing audiences all over the country just as certainly as the recent Broadway revival became the talk of the Great White Way.

Today we are once again speaking with a world renowned living legend all about his phenomenal career on Broadway and in Hollywood in honor of his new 54 Below engagement later this month, titled STEPPIN OUT', the one and only Ben Vereen. Besides sharing what lucky attendees can expect from his 54 Below shows, Vereen also shares preliminary plans to bring a new biomusical to Broadway some season soon as well as the forthcoming release of a star-studded documentary all about his iconic show business legacy planned to be released later this year. Additionally, Vereen reflects on a number of recent milestones and looks back at some of his most memorable movie musical work in honor of the 45th anniversary of the release of SWEET CHARITY last month, plus the brand new Blu-ray editions of FUNNY LADY and ALL THAT JAZZ now available. Plus, Vereen shines a light on his ongoing patronship of the arts and spotlights the importance of arts education in schools via the nationwide high school competition series leading up to the yearly Ben Vereen Awards while also clueing us in on some of his upcoming theatre projects, including directing a regional production of HAIR and more. As if all of that were not enough, Vereen also comments on some recent small screen and big screen appearances including his turn on the final season of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER opposite Neil Patrick Harris and sharing the screen with Betty White on HOT IN CLEVELAND, not to mention the smash hit success of the ensemble Chris Rock comedy TOP FIVE. All of that, first news on his upcoming feature film TIME OUT OF MIND and much, much more with one of Broadway's best triple-threats.

The Schools of Theatre & Dance and Music are hard at work on their upcoming musical production of the Tony-Award winning Pippin.

Pippin brings the circus to Omaha in a kaleidoscope of color.

Ben Vereen and Broadway/San Diego are pleased to announce the inaugural Student Health Initiative Essay Contest as part of the 2015 Ben Vereen Awards (BVA) High School Musical Theatre Competition, sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), takes place Sunday, April 26 at 5 PM at the Historic Balboa Theatre.

Actress/Singer/Dancer Carol Lawrence has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry. Miss Lawrence will be honored on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed choreographers Alan Johnson, Miriam Nelson and Walter Painter will receive special PDS Choreography Awards, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.

Yesterday, February 25, author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), was joined by Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), and acclaimed director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Blues in the Night), for a conversation with Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) at Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street, to discuss the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. Scroll down for photos from the event!

As a follow up to 2006's 'Orleans to London', guitarist Jimmy McIntosh once again finds himself in illustrious company on his new album 'Jimmy McIntosh and...'

Welcome to BWW's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. In the special interview below, Richard welcomes Broadway favorite Rob McClure, who is currently starring in Honeymoon in Vegas at the Nederlander Theatre. Watch as they discuss the show, how he got his start at Paper Mill Playhouse, his obsession with video games, and so much more. Check out the full interview below!

Today, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect..., Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way.

On Wednesday, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. This special Black History Month event celebrates the release of Lane's new book Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way.

Ben Vereen will perform at the Landmark on Main Street on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 8PM in STEPPIN' OUT LIVE.

The musical that launched the careers of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice and ushered in a new era in musical theater will open DOMA Theatre Company's 2015 season. Helmed by director Marco Gomez and musical director Chris Raymond, the duo behind DOMA productions of Dreamgirls (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and LA Weekly Awards, L.A. Times 'Critic's Choice') and Young Frankenstein (L.A. Times 'Critic's Choice,' BroadwayWorld 'Best of 2014'), Jesus Christ Superstar opens Feb. 13 for a 6-week run at the MET Theatre in Hollywood.

The hit musical comedy Murder For Two, now playing at San Diego's Old Globe, features book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and direction by Scott Schwartz. Ben Vereen recently stopped by the theatre to catch a performance, and went backstage to visit the cast!

Hosted by Lesli Margherita (Matilda), the late night #SOBLESSED Live! at 54 Below on February 7th featured performances by Adam Kaplan (Newsies), Joey Taranto (Kinky Boots), Michael James Scott (Something Rotten), Megan Sikora (Like a Million Broadway Shows), Mo Brady (The Addams Family), Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), Ellyn Marie Marsh (Kinky Boots), with special guest appearance by Julia Murney as Jeremy Jordan and musical direction by Drew Wutke. Scroll down for photos!

The musical that launched the careers of composer Andrew Lloyd Webberand lyricist Tim Rice and ushered in a new era in musical theater will open DOMA Theatre Company's 2015 season. Helmed by director Marco Gomez and musical director Chris Raymond, the duo behind DOMA productions of Dreamgirls(Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and LA Weekly Awards, L.A. Times "Critic's Choice") and Young Frankenstein (L.A. Times "Critic's Choice," BroadwayWorld "Best of 2014"), Jesus Christ Superstar opens Feb. 13 for a 6-week run at the MET Theatre in Hollywood.

Ben Vereen, a veteran of the stage and screen, will visit Manhattan College on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at noon, highlighting the College's celebration of Black History Month.