Ben Vereen Videos

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!

Below, watch Vereen play the flute for Betty White in an blooper reel from the show!

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.

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.'

Today in 1977, Pippin closed at the Minskoff Theatre, after having played 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.

On tonight's episode of CBS's HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER titled, 'The End of the Aisle' with only a half-hour to go, both Barney and Robin have panic attacks about their upcoming nuptials.

TRAILS will be a ballet and aerial ballet using projected images from NASA starting outside the earth, from the International Space Station, with views of Earth from space. Then it will diagram our planet in drought, on fire, with torrential rains, then Flooding, and... shaking with earthquakes! The terror we all remember, with a reference to the insanity that is fracking- (no way in CA!). Then Traffic and our lives being affected daily by the packed freeways, the dirt and exhaust, and road rage that builds up from it.... going smoothly into the refuge we love the best in LA, the ocean....underwater, to then discover the wreckage from Fukushima's earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear reactor meltdown, lurking there and slowly coming toward us. It will be a real wake up call!

After last-minute cancellations from half-time performers Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Super Bowl producers hire Broadway stars in the spectacular SNL cold open skit from last night, featuring Melissa McCarthy and an appearance by Kenan Thompson as Broadway's song and dance man Ben Vereen. Check it out below!

Popular PBS broadcaster Tavis Smiley interviewed Chita Rivera on his program yesterday, January 29, and you can watch the full appearance below, in which Rivera reflects on her history-making career!

Today in 1999, Fosse opened at the Broadhurst THeatre, where it ran for 1093 performances. Fosse is a three-act musical revue showcasing the choreography of Bob Fosse. The original Broadway production, conceived and directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Ann Reinking was choreographed by Reinking and Chet Walker. In 2002, Fosse, featuring Reinking and Ben Vereen, was aired as part of the Great Performances series on PBS television. A London production opened at the West End Prince of Wales Theatre on February 8, 2000 and closed January 6, 2001. The musical did not recreate the musical numbers as originally presented but instead had primarily black-and-white costumes (including the all-important hats), set against a simple setting.

On tonight's episode of CBS's NCIS titled 'Homesick,' after a mysterious illness strikes children from military families, Gibbs and the team investigate the cause.

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.

Last night, the Dramatists Guild Fund hosted their Annual Gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York. This year's event honored legendary playwrights, composers, and lyricists who have greatly impacted the American theater. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the special night to chat with Bernadette Peters, Alan Menken, Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Schwartz, Kate Baldwin, Tonya Pinkins and more. Check out what they had to say, plus performances from Jeremy Jordan, Ben Vereen and Sherie Rene Scott below!

On last night's DANCING WITH THE STARS on ABC, contestants were asked to recall the most memorable year of their lives. Broadway vet Corbin Bleu chose to dedicate his performance to his 12-year-old sister Phoenix

On Monday night, October 7, Broadway ledgend Chita Rivera returned to the stage in Chita: A Legendary Celebration, which was produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The evening featured the Tony Award-winning Rivera, accompanied by an onstage orchestra, revisiting songs from her pantheon of Broadway hits, including Kander & Ebb's Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie and other surprises. BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive clips from the show and interviews with the guests, including Tommy Tune, Ben Vereen, and Rivera herself below!

On Monday night, October 7, Broadway ledgend Chita Rivera returned to the stage in Chita: A Legendary Celebration, which was produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The evening featured the Tony Award-winning Rivera, accompanied by an onstage orchestra, revisiting songs from her pantheon of Broadway hits, including Kander & Ebb's Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie and other surprises. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the show below!

On Monday night, October 7, Broadway ledgend Chita Rivera returned to the stage in Chita: A Legendary Celebration, which was produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The evening featured the Tony Award-winning Rivera, accompanied by an onstage orchestra, revisiting songs from her pantheon of Broadway hits, including Kander & Ebb's Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie and other surprises. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the show below!

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.'

Last night, October 7, Broadway ledgend Chita Rivera returned to the stage in Chita: A Legendary Celebration, which was produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The evening featured the Tony Award-winning Rivera, accompanied by an onstage orchestra, revisiting songs from her pantheon of Broadway hits, including Kander & Ebb's Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie and other surprises. BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at her special curtain call, featuring 'All That Jazz', below!

Today in 1977, Pippin closed at the Minskoff Theatre, after having played 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.