“THE MAN IS LEGENDARY. AS AN ENTERTAINER, FEW CAN COMMAND THE STAGE LIKE BEN VEREEN.“–Margie Barron, Entertainment Today
Ben Vereen (Photo by ISAK TINER)
The iconic star of stage, screen and TV is bringing his popular show “Steppin’ Out with BEN VEREEN” back to the Catalina Jazz Club for two nights only, Friday, July 19 at 8:30 pm and Saturday, July 20 at 8:30 pm, in Hollywood.
The Cooper Company and Catalina Jazz Club announced the return of Ben Vereen, one of the world’s greatest entertainers, performing his popular stage show “Steppin’ Out with BEN VEREEN.” The strictly limited engagement plays two performances only on Friday, July 19 at 8:30 pm and Saturday, July 20 at 8:30 pm at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.
Few entertainers are as accomplished or as versatile as Ben Vereen. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country’s artistic legacy. His first love and passion is and always will be the stage. On Broadway, Ben Vereen starred in Pippin, Wicked, Fosse, I’m Not Rappaport, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, 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.”
This past spring, he brought his show “An Evening with Ben Vereen” to Jazz at Lincoln Center as an exclusive eight-performance run at Dizzy’s Club. The New York Times raved, “Everything finally coalesced in ‘Mr. Bojangles,’ when he became and archetypal vaudevillian: singing, dancing, whistling – doing it all.”
“The theatre was my first training ground. It taught me discipline, dedication and appreciation of hard work and values that will stay with me a lifetime,” said Ben Vereen. He added, “The stage sharpens the creative instrument and encourages you to go deeper inside and try new things.”
Also a force in film and television, Ben recently appeared in an episode of Bull, and new TV series Magnum P.I both for CBS. Last December, Ben finished filming a recurring role on the FOX series Star, created by Lee Daniels, and an episode of the BET series Tales. Ben also recurs as Porter in the first and second season of the hit Amazon TV series Sneaky Pete, produced by David Shore and Bryan Cranston.
Ben also starred in the Rocky Horror Picture Show for Twentieth Century Fox, directed by Kenny Ortega and starring along side Laverne Cox. Other film credits include: Times Out of Mind with Richard Gere, Sweet Charity, All That Jazz, Funny Lady (Golden Globe nomination), Why Do Fools Fall In Love, and many others. On television, his memorable character Chicken George created a veritable cultural tidal wave in the landmark television series Roots.
“Steppin’ Out with BEN VEREEN” is an evening filled with song, dance, stories, and humor that takes you on a journey through Broadway with some of the greats of our time including Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. The show features hit songs such as ‘Magic to Do’ from Pippin, ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘For Good’ from Wicked and ‘Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.” ’The show won the prestigious Cabaret Award after playing New York’s 54 Below in 2015.
Ben is now in the Theatre and Dance Hall of Fame and is considered one of our nation’s most popular motivational speakers. Last year he joined American for the Arts, the largest arts organization in the country advocating for the advancement of the arts and art education. In addition to his artistic career, Vereen has devoted considerable time and energy to numerous nonprofit organizations. Ben’s most recent endeavor is Wellness Through the Arts, a program, which allows kids especially ones who may not have access to the arts a chance to explore how they can express and heal themselves through art, and each year culminates in a competition, which awards scholarship money to the winner.
“Steppin’ Out with BEN VEREEN” plays at Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Performances are Friday, July 19 at 8:30 pm and on Saturday, July 20 at 8:30 pm. Tickets are available online at www.TicketWeb.com (search Ben Vereen) or by phone at 323.466.2210. All tickets are $35.00. Note: Dinner or a two-drink minimum per person is required in addition to the ticket purchase. Seating is first-come, first-served; and the doors open at 7:00 pm for dinner. For general information, please call Catalina Jazz Club at 323.466.2210 or visit www.CatalinaJazzClub.com.
For more information about Ben Vereen visit www.benvereen.info.
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