Ben Vereen News

It's Saturday night and you're deciding whether to go to a rock concert or see a comedy. You love indie music. But you're in the mood for laughter. What do you choose?

The stars were on their feet (toes, taps and standing ovations) on a warm Sunday night, May 19th, for the Chita Rivera Awards a?" an annual ceremony recognizing the very best in dance on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in film that honors icons and trailblazers while also nurturing future generations simultaneously. It could have been dubbed a?oeChita Rivera's Dance Salona?? for the presenters, attendees and honorees read like a Who's Who of Chita's friends, fans and fellow Fosse favorites, including hosts Ben Vereen and Anne Reinking.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce that its final production in the 2018 - 2019 "lost" musicals in staged concert series Porchlight Revisits Minnie's Boys will now include a special event with Minnie's Boys composer Larry Grossman, "A Conversation with Larry Grossman," Thursday, May 23 at 4:45 p.m. and feature a new song added to this Chicago premiere.

There are many organizations that have been established to preserve our musical heritage and at the forefront of those that specialize in The Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein's foundation is one of the most important and influential.  Last night at a private event Michael entertained for a Park Avenue apartment full of generous New Yorkers who had gathered to help support The Great American Songbook Foundation founded by Michael in 2007.

The 2019 Chita Rivera Awards were presented last night, May 19, 2019 at 7:30pm at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out the photos below!

The Chita Rivera Awards, taking place at The NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts this Sunday, May 19, announces presenters for the evening. Presenters include Chita Rivera, Andy Blankenbuehler, Camille A. Brown, Ariana DeBose, Luann de Lesseps, Micaela Diamond, Damon J. Gillespie, Savion Glover, Marilu Henner, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Tiler Peck, Lee Roy Reams, Michael Riedel, Ethan Slater, Mary Testa and Richard Thomas.

Trevor Dion Nicholas has been granting wishes as the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway and in the West End. He spoke to BroadwayWorld about his career and upcoming concert appearance at Main Men of Musicals at Cadogan Hall on 31 May alongside Ben Forster, Luke Bayer and Liam Tamne.

Playhouse on Park's education department, Playhouse Theatre Academy, is thrilled to welcome back Stephanie Pope for another Fosse Adult Master Class on Monday, June 17 from 6:30-8:30pm at The 224 Ecospace! All performers (ages 16 and up!) who have a vested interest in the performing arts are encouraged to attend this amazing class.

Carrying the name of one of the great dance icons of the American musical theater, the Chita Rivera Awards celebrate dance and choreographic excellence past, present and future. The mission of the awards is to honor the superb achievements of the nominees, and also to recognize the talent and passion of all theatrical choreographers and dancers. Additionally, through education and scholarships, the awards nurture future generations and preserve notable dance history.

VIOLETA ANGELOVA, YVES DE BOUTEILLER, KEITH LEE AND IAN POULIS will be members of the faculty for the Shreveport Dance Academy's Summer Intensive in Shreveport, Louisiana. Ms. Angelova and Mr. de Bouteiller will be teaching from June 3-7, 2019, and Mr. Lee and Mr. Poulis will be teaching from June 10-14, 2019.

Join members of the Broadway community for an inspiring evening of heart-centered music and musings honoring the fearless Maggie Hollinbeck (ONCE TOUR). Ticket proceeds will go directly to Ms. Hollinbeck, a two-time breast cancer survivor, to offset her recent medical costs and assist on her valiant road to recovery. The event will be on Monday, May 13 at The Triad at 7PM (doors open at 6:30PM). The Triad is located at 158 W. 72nd Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus on the Upper West Side. Tickets can be purchased here.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce that its final production in the 2018 - 2019 'lost' musicals in staged concert series Porchlight Revisits MINNIE'S BOYS will now include a special event with MINNIE'S BOYS composer Larry Grossman, 'A Conversation with Larry Grossman,' Thursday, May 23 at 4:45 p.m. and feature a new song added to this Chicago premiere. Porchlight Revisits Minnie's Boys, book by Groucho Marx's son Arthur Marx and Robert Fisher, music by Grossman and lyrics by Hal Hackady with direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik and musical direction by Christie Chiles Twille, is presented for three performances Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Each Porchlight Revisits production begins with the 'Behind the Show Backstory' multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Artistic Director Michael Weber, discussing that evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and much more. Single tickets are $37 for the performance and 'A Conversation with Larry Grossman' is free to the public. Both are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

The 2019 Chita Rivera Awards nominees reception was held yesterday, April 29. BroadwayWorld was there for the big event and you can check out photos below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Tony Nominations Day!

FX has released photos from the fourth episode of FOSSE/VERDON titled 'Glory.' The episode features Margaret Qualley as Ann Reinking, Ahmad Simmons as Ben Vereen, and Norbert Leo Butz as Paddy Chayefsky.

Kentwood Players proudly presents the musical PIPPIN, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Roger O. Hirson. Performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045. There will be a complimentary pre-show champagne and dessert reception between 7:00-7:30pm for season subscribers and their guests attending the Saturday, May 18th performance. Performance dates are May 17th through June 22nd on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.

On this day in 2013, Diane Paulus' high-flying revival of Stephen Schwartz PIPPIN opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theater!

The good news of Fountain Hills Theater's production of PIPPIN, directed by Peter J. Hill, is that it serves well as fun family fare with a solid message. In a robust and celebratory finale, the entire ensemble gathers to remind us all that in the circus of life, it's the simple things that shine brightest. PIPPIN runs through May 5th in the Mainstage Theatre at Fountain Hills Theater in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Following record-breaking runs at New York Theatre Workshop, Canada's Citadel Theatre, and the National Theatre, the new musical Hadestown opened on Broadway last night! BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet below!

Legendary performers and Tony® Award winners Ann Reinking (Dancin,' Sweet Charity, Chicago, 'Annie')and Ben Vereen (Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fosse, Wicked)will host the 2019 Chita Rivera Awards (www.ChitaRiveraAwards.com),taking place at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place, off Washington Square Park) on Sunday, May 19 at 7:30pm. Joe Lanteri, Founder and Executive Director of the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation (www.NYCDAFoundation.net) produces the Chita Rivera Awards in conjunction with Patricia Watt.