Vereen is currently touring the show with stops throughout the United States, Europe, and Abu Dhabi. Stepping Out is billed as “a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.” During the performance, audiences are treated to classics such as  “Defying Gravity,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “For Good” from Wicked and “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.”

Vereen first performed the show at 54 Below in 2012 to rave reviews. Stephen Holden of the N.Y. Times commented that Vereen is “an old-school song and dance man who never lets up. He wins you over with his sheer energy, good will and showbiz know-how. The excitement he generates is what matters.”

Ben Vereen’s Performs at 54 Below in 2012

Vereen won a Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for his show-stopping performance in Bob Fosse’s Pippin. He also was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as “Judas” in Jesus Christ Superstar. His other Broadway credits include Wicked, I’m Not Rappaport, Chicago, Hair, Fosse, Jelly’s Last Jam, and A Christmas Carol.

Vereen’s television guest appearances include How I Met Your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy (for which he won the Prism Award), Hot in Cleveland, NCIS, House of Payne, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, OZ, Star Trek – The Next Generation, The Jamie Foxx Show, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

All performances begin at 7:00pm and doors open at 5:15pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

The post Ben Vereen Returns to Feinstein’s/54 Below appeared first on Broadway Black.

Many may remember Sasha Allen from the indie cult-classic, Camp (check out the Broadway Black article about the upcoming sequel!!) However, it was her role as “Dionne” in the 2009 Broadway production of Hair that caused the theater community to really take notice. Since then, she has been conquering music, film, television, and now back on the stage as the “Leading Player” in Pippin; continuing a tradition set by Tony Award winners Ben Vereen and Patina Miller.

Pippin follows the journey of the son King Charles as he searches for purpose and direction in his life. This national tour continues the amazing storytelling set by composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and director Diane Paulus in the 2013 revival with stunning acrobatics and brilliant choreography based in the Bob Fosse tradition.
For tickets and more information, visit www.pippinthemusical.com

Check out Pippin: The National Touring Production Montage!

The post Sasha Allen Shines In Pippin National Tour appeared first on Broadway Black.

The triumphs of Ben Vereen on the stage and screen are well known, he is a consummate entertainer who has been thrilling audiences for decades. However, less known are his personal struggles from the loss of his daughter to the near loss of his life- it is the overcoming of these obstacles that are highlighted in this most recent interview. Through it all, we see a man filled with passion and a soul that has been through more than most can imagine, but still has a fire that nothing can destroy.

Watch the full CBS Sunday Morning interview with the spiritual enforcer, Ben Vereen below.

The post Ben Vereen on CBS Sunday Morning appeared first on Broadway Black.

7. Rap It Up (2013)

They’d done it before in 2011, but there was one thing missing–Audra McDonald. When host Neil Patrick Harris started to say there wouldn’t be enough time for a closing song, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail came to the rescue. Like in 2011, the two wrote the rap during the telecast to the beat of “Empire State Of Mind.” It was glorious and perfect all in one. Also, who could forget Audra’s epic mic drop at the end?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6o-EpKSXPM

6. Oh, Patti! (2008)

Remember that YouTube video that went around of Patti LuPone stopping in the middle of a performance of Gypsy to scold an audience member for recording? Didn’t think she could top that? Well she did at the 2008 Tony Awards when she won Best Actress in a Musical for Gypsy. Her first in 29 years, and she let us know that. Pulling out a two-page letter, Patti began to go through and thank every single person she could think of. Do you think the cue music slowed her down? Absolutely not, when the wrap-up music did play, LuPone yelled over the music “Shut up, it’s been 29 years!” Oh, Patti.

5. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s improvised rap acceptance speech (2008)

I can’t help it when the rap world and Broadway world collide. I can’t help but to be excited. Lin-Manuel Miranda gets it right every time. So when In The Heights won for Best Original Score–Miranda’s first Tony Award–of course he raps his acceptance speech. Not only does it rap it, it’s completely from the top of his head. That is some serious skill!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI6icWf6CB8

4. Pippin’s “Magic To Do” (1973)

Two words. Ben Vereen. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to go back in time to see the original production of Pippin. Don’t get me wrong, I saw the revival with Patina Miller three times because I thought it was so good. However, after seeing this chilling performance of “Magic To Do”, I’ve never wanted to see Mr. Vereen’s Leading Player more.

3. Billy Elliot Boys (2009)

The lead actors made us “aww” when the three boys made Tony history and gave the cutest speech ever. For the first time, David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish all were awarded Best Actor in A Musical. What makes it even sweeter? It was their Broadway debut. What a way to make an entrance, huh?

2. Audra Made History (2014)

That time Audra McDonald made history and became the first person in Tony history to win a Tony Award in all four acting categories? Also when she became the first to win six Tony Awards for acting categories alone? Yes, you heard that right. The first. Not the first woman of color or the first black woman, the first person ever– period. I remember watching the Tony’s that year, bursting into tears while she gave her acceptance speech. She made history and I got to witness it.

1. Jennifer Holiday Told Us (1982)

I’d be foolish if I didn’t mention this tear-jerking, heartfelt performance by powerhouse Jennifer Holiday. At the time she was just 21 years old with a voice wise beyond her years. The song “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going” comes at the end of the first act of Dreamgirls, the character Effie singing it after getting kicked out of the group and being dumped by her producer boyfriend. While the song is meant for him, Holiday sings into the audience in a way that makes you feel every note and lyric. I dare you not to get chills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCDDx2JFnaQ

Sound off below with some of your own! What moments did you find most memorable?

The post 7 Most Memorable Tony Awards Moments appeared first on Broadway Black.

At 68, Vereen is still as vibrant, energetic and entertaining as ever as he brings a lifetime of memories and stories to his buoyant one-man show for one night only to Pace University’s Schimmel Center. The show, Steppin’ Out, is one that Vereen has performed before but seems to put a new spin on it every time. Vereen does not disappoint and delivers songs from shows he’s previously starred in including Hair, Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, and even Wicked as well as some standards. Previous venues for Steppin’ Out have included 54 Below (We Were There), Hartford Stage (where the show was recorded live for Sh-K-Boom Records),  and as part of the 90th Anniversary Season at Town Hall. You won’t want to miss the performer that The New York Times hailed as “one of the last old-school vaudevillian troupers still standing, and an entertainer with a capital E.”

The legendary performer will be backed by a three piece band and show time is set for 7:30 p.m on May 30th, 2015 Tickets are priced at $69, $59, & $49 and can be purchased via the box office by calling (212) 346-1715 or online HERE.

Ben was recently featured in Top Five, by Chris Rock, which opened this past December.  Later this year, he will be seen in the feature film, Time Out Of Mind, co-starring Richard Gere. We were also more than thrilled to have him as the first guest on Broadway Black Box.

Below is Mr. Ben Vereen as the Leading Player in Pippin singing “Glory”

The post Ben Vereen Brings Acclaimed One-Man Show To Schimmel Center appeared first on Broadway Black.