Ben Vereen News

In 1972 Pippin opened on Broadway and became one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history, closing in 1977. Stephen Schwartz's bubbling optimistic tunes made the surreal and sensual mood of the piece an ultra-pleasant experience for theatre goers. One actually left the theatre humming the score. Throughout the dreamlike texture of Pippin's quest for his 'Corner of the Sky', however, there blooms a simplistic, timeless message that reverberates to this day. So, even though this brand new revival set in a circus big top is visually more opulent with high swinging artists and feats of magic, the pieces of the puzzle do fit into place - original director Bob Fosse would approve - and the play's substance is untarnished. Director Diane Paulus may take a bow for her simply stunning ambition of embellishment. I prefer the simplicity of the original, which allows your imagination to take flight, but must own up to enjoying most of the new version. How can you not, as the Fosse-esque style with acrobatics added on make for a visually splendid evening of dance and action.

Ghostlight Records has announced the launch of the new series 'Ghostlight Shines On...' presenting exclusive audio commentary on some of its major recordings from Broadway and beyond. The series currently features commentary for two hit albums the label released in 2014: the Broadway smash Beautiful - The Carole King Musical and the beloved score for The Bridges of Madison County, which won 2014 Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations.

Today in 1972, Pippin opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 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.

The Pasadena Playhouse announce cast members for this year's Panto at the Playhouse SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT. The cast will feature Disney Recording Artist Olivia Holt as "Aurora" (Disney's "I Didn't Do It"), Lucy Lawless as "Carabosse" ("Xena: Warrior Princess," "Spartacus"), David Engel as "Nanny Tickle" (Broadway's "La Cage aux Folles," "Seussical"), Tamyra Gray as "The Good Fairy" ("American Idol," Broadway's "Bombay Dreams" and "Rent") and returning from last year's Panto at the Playhouse production of Aladdin and His Winter Wish, Ben Giroux as "Silly Billy" (CW's "Hart of Dixie).

Happy Birthday Ben Vereen! On Broadway, Ben Vereen has appeared in Wicked, I'm not Rappaport, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Grind, Jelly's Last Jam, and A Christmas Carol. His role in Pippin garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and the Drama Desk award for 'Best Actor in a Musical.'

When it came to talent and dedication, nobody had as much as Rich Abrams and Cheri Hunter, two supporters of the new, original musical Fannie Lou who helped shape the work during its developing stages, according to composer/lyricist Felicia Hunter.

Emerson Theatre Collaborative (ETC), in association with Black Stars of the Great White Way - a Chapman Roberts and Richard Allen Center for Art & Culture, announces its production of the play, Hour Farther written by David Horace Greer, directed by Camilla Ross, and starring renowned stage and screen actor and singer, Kirk Taylor. Most recently, Mr. Taylor had the honor of working alongside the late Robin Williams and Mila Kunis in the film, The Angriest Man In Brooklyn directed by Phillip Alden Robinson.

Emily Cara Portune stars as Ariel in The Growing Stage production of 'The Little Mermaid.' The show will be on the Netcong stage from October 3rd through October 26th.

The Center Theatre Group engagement of the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Horton Foote's American masterpiece 'The Trip to Bountiful,' began performances at the Ahmanson Theatre tonight, September 17, and continues through November 2, 2014. Below, check out photos from opening night!

The air was crackling with excitement on opening night for the much anticipated revival of Pippin at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre. And for good reason. The show won four Tony Awards last year including Best Musical Revival, with Diane Paulus taking home the Tony for Best Director. Patina Miller as the Leading Player took home Best Actress, while Andrea Martin won Best Featured Actress. Not to be outdone, the national tour signed Sasha Allen, Lucie Arnaz, and John Rubinstein, not to mention Canada's circus troupe, Les 7 doigts de la main. Talk about the wow factor. Pippin is an exuberant, extravaganza of a show and it plays now through October 19 at SHN's Golden Gate Theatre.

Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation is excited to announce the new 2014-2015 season chock-full of top award-winning productions including fifteen Tony Awards, and four Grammy Awards for Best Musical Theater Album -and six shows currently playing on Broadway! This year's powerful season lineup will be presented at the beautiful San Diego Civic Theatre and sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union.

On Monday, September 15, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Natalie Douglas in 'Hello Dolly,' an all-new concert celebrating the music of Dolly Parton.

Emerson Theatre Collaborative (ETC), in association with Black Stars of the Great White Way - a Chapman Roberts and Richard Allen Center for Art & Culture, announces its production of the play, Hour Farther written by David Horace Greer, directed by Camilla Ross, and starring renowned stage and screen actor and singer, Kirk Taylor. Most recently, Mr. Taylor had the honor of working alongside the late Robin Williams and Mila Kunis in the film, The Angriest Man In Brooklyn directed by Phillip Alden Robinson.

When it came to talent and dedication, nobody had as much as Rich Abrams and Cheri Hunter, two supporters of the new, original musical Fannie Lou who helped shape the work during its developing stages, according to composer/lyricist Felicia Hunter.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 34th summer season comes to a triumphant close with the Southern California Regional Premiere of the Tony Award-nominated musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, based on the hit film of the same name that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Performances are tonight, September 10 to 27.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra begins its 2014-15 season on Sept. 13, with a new Associate Conductor, many outstanding guest artists, and collaborations slated with many of the area's leading cultural and educational institutions. A recording project for Naxos will shed light on the works of the little-known French composer Florent Schmitt, and the orchestra will continue its search for a new pops conductor and concertmaster.

Schimmel Center at Pace University is proud to announce the 2014 / 2015 season at The Schimmel Center at Pace University, located at 3 Spruce Street between Park Row and Gold Street in downtown Manhattan, adjacent to City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge. Schimmel Center is a world-class performing arts and culture series with an emphasis on music superstars from around the globe, charismatic and crowd-pleasing dance performances, spectacular theatre and contemporary cabaret. The Schimmel Center season begins on September 21 with Voce, Rising Opera Stars in Recital, and culminates on May 30 with Ben Vereen.

As usual, this past week with the Transcendence Theatre Company has been yet another vivaciously exuberant one. Once again, we connected with tremendous sold out and full of life, audiences...but our final performance of "Music of the Night" was unlike any performance I've ever been a part of. Here in Sonoma, California, we had an intense earthquake (6.2 rating) at 3:23 A.M. on August 24th (the early morning of that show).This was the first earthquake I've ever experienced and it truly shook me to the core. In fact, I've never been so deeply terrified in my twenty some years of life. Our entire house was rocking back and forth, paintings were falling off the walls, large bookshelves were tipping over and of course the power went out. The only light I could see came from the terrifying explosions of electrical boxes bursting outside my bedroom windows. I could feel my heart racing and literally thumping out of my chest. The earthquake only lasted about 45 seconds but felt like 45 hours to me. In that short amount of time, I actually saw my entire life flash before me. In tears, I sat trembling and adrenalized, clutching my dog child, Pearl and boyfriend Stephan Stubbins and I realized how we cannot take a single moment on this Earth for granted. Life is so precious.

When you've been given the privilege to watch and, of course, listen to legendary Tony winner Jennifer Holliday sing live---in that signature inimitable style---it's practically akin to a religious experience. She is, to put it mildly, still one of the world's most treasured, gifted musical voices. Even more awesome? Holliday served as the finale headliner that capped off an impressive line-up of Broadway stars that included Erich Bergen, Rogelio Douglas, Jr., Danny Gurwin, and Tony nominee Chad Kimball. And the highly entertaining evening---a pleasant mixture of amusing anecdotes and enthralling showtune performances---was hosted by Holliday's Tony nominated DREAMGIRLS co-star, Obba Babatunde.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 34th summer season comes to a triumphant close with the Southern California Regional Premiere of the Tony Award-nominated musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, based on the hit film of the same name that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Performances are September 10 to 27.