Ben Vereen Profile
Ben Vereen is currently touring his one man show, Steppin` Out Live with Ben Vereen, dazzling audiences throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and Abu Dhabi. Ben`s show is a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. Featuring hit such hit songs as "Defying Gravity," "Stand By Me" and "My Way" Steppin` Out Live with Ben Vereen is a contemporary and timeless journey. Ben headlines performing arts centers and symphonies, with either a quartet or as many as 60 musicians accompanying him. Each performance is filled with song and dance, stories of his life, a great deal of humor and always, multiple standing ovations.
A Tony Award winner for his renowned performance in Bob Fosse`s Pippin, Ben has gone on to solidify his place among Broadway royalty, with starring roles in such Broadway productions as Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Jelly`s Last Jam, Grind, A Christmas Carol and I`m Not Rappaport. He starred in the new play Fetch Clay, Make Man, directed by Jersey Boys director Des McAnuff.
A legend of the stage and screen, Ben is best known for his iconic role as Chicken George in the groundbreaking television miniseries Roots. Ben guest starred on the television shows How I Met Your Mother, Grey`s Anatomy (Prism Award), Tyler Perry`s House of Payne, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and co-starred in the Emmy-nominated made-for-TV-movie, An Accidental Friendship, for which he earned a NAACP nomination. Ben is also a well known speaker, lecturing across the country on topics as diverse as Overcoming Adversity, African-American History, Physical and Occupational Therapy and Ben`s Broadway Lecture with Song. In addition, Ben continues to be the spokesman for the leading pharmaceutical company Sanofi U.S., spearheading a proactive and preventive campaign for those living with diabetes. Ben`s new CD Steppin` Out Live with Ben Vereen is available on iTunes, Amazon.com, and wherever and whenever Ben is performing his concerts and personal appearances.
On January 30th, 2012, Ben was inducted in to The Theatre Hall of Fame. Ben performed for 100,000 people at the Washington Monument on July 4th, 2012 and on August 11, Ben was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame. In March of 2013, Ben received his honorary degree from the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts.