Ben Vereen ASL Interpreted Show

Ben Vereen invites the Deaf* community to his performance “Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen—through the hands of a CODA” for an evening of entertainment at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Vereen, best known as a Broadway, television, and film star, is committed to providing an environment where the Deaf community belongs. Not only does he want to help make the unheard understood, but his show will present various vibrations to be felt and enjoyed by everyone.

Update: a section for deaf* ticket buyers will be seated near the ASL interpreter and the opportunity to meet Ben Vereen in person after the show.

Join us on February 24 and 25, 2023, at the Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 West Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028.

Optional Dinner and cocktail service will begin at 7:00 p.m. (Not included in the ticket purchase and must be purchased separately)

Buy tickets here: https://www.ticketweb.com/search?q=ben+vereen&loc=hollywood-ca

The concert starts promptly at 8:30 p.m. See you there!

If have questions or get more info, contact:

The Cooper Company
Pamela Cooper
212-904-1000
pamela@thecoopercompany.biz

Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen.  His first love and passion is and always will be the stage. “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. The stage sharpens the creative instrument and encourages you to go deeper inside and try new things,” states Ben. On Broadway, Ben Vereen has starred in Wicked, Fosse, 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.”

Ben starred as a series regular in the Chuck Lorre series B POSITIVE, and earlier last spring wrapped multiple episodes of THE GOOD FIGHT, playing FREDERICK DOUGLAS, both for CBS. He appeared on CBS’s Welcome Back Broadway. Watch Here. He was also chosen to be the face of Welcome Back New York City and Broadway on a national commercial. Watch Here.  In June 2022, Ben received the Juneteenth Legacy Award from The Broadway League and the Hero Award from The First Responders Children’s Foundation.  In August, he was honored with Sidney Poitier Lifetime Achievement Award from The National Black Theatre Festival.

Ben is currently spearheading a campaign for Ukraine with a video called “We Sing For Ukraine” to benefit UNICEF and Abundance International.

CBS News Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/ben-vereen-lends-his-star-power-and-voice-to-we-sing-for-ukraine/?fbclid=IwAR1eYPGMUkxYgsFcavC0GCykKpHV1CgBfDPaW2Xz2mFv-OvplbBIVRjLAt0#x

Ben spoke to his Fraternity Brother Victor Glover while on his space mission. https://vimeo.com/500977720

Ben appeared in MAGNUM P.I. and BULL for CBS, and in a recurring role on the FOX series STAR, created by Lee Daniels, as well as the BET series TALES.  He also recurred in the hit Amazon TV series SNEAKY PETE, produced by David Shore and Bryan Cranston. Prior to this, Ben starred in the ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW for Twentieth Century Fox directed by Kenny Ortega and starring alongside Laverne Cox.

During the pandemic, Ben performed with the NYPD Jazz orchestra for their Gala, directed and performed in “Virtual Vereen and Friends,” which benefited Care For the Homeless, participated in multiple performances for the Actor’s Fund, including the Rosie O’Donnell show, OnStage At Home with Frank DiLella, and he introduced the Inaugural Antonyo Awards, for Black Theater. He appeared on ABC’s “Harlem Serves Up,” performed for Bay Street Theater’s Starry Night Gala, and in the spring 54 Below streamed one of his concerts benefiting first responders. Ben also taped a program for Jewel’s Wellness Experience through her Inspiring Children Foundation.

In 2019, Ben received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gold Coast Arts Film Festival, and became a member of the Artist Committee for the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors.  In 2020, he was be honored with The Lifetime Achievement Beacon Award.   He is an active member of Americans for the Arts, the largest advocacy group of the Arts in America. Ben went with other artists to speak on Capitol Hill defending the National Endowment for the Arts against the proposed budget cuts.  They also took him to the DNC where he spoke out to various senators, congressmen, governors on the arts and education and later Ben sang “WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW” with other Broadway Icons.

Ben starred alongside Richard Gere in TIME OUT OF MIND and received a Variety Oscar Critic’s Pick mention! John Secor of the Sarasota Film Festival reported, “Ben Vereen is given his most textured role in years, and his sensitive performance reminds us why he’s a legend”. He also costarred in Chris Rock’s TOP FIVE, which opened to rave reviews.  Ben starred in the world premiere of FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys).

While performing worldwide, Ben’s acting credits continue to give us memorable roles that stand the test of time such as the unforgettable Chicken George in Roots and Louis Armstrong in Louis Armstrong – Chicago Style. His television guest appearances include How I Met Your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy   (for which he won the Prism Award), Hot in Cleveland (with Betty White), NCIS, House of Payne, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, OZ, Star Trek – The Next Generation, The Jamie Fox Show, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ben has also had recurring roles on Silk Stalkings, Webster, and J.J. Starbuck and Booker.  For Nickelodeon, Ben provided voice-overs on the show Wonder Pets!  Additional credits include:  Anne Rice’s Feast of All Saints (Showtime), Intruders They Are Among Us (Emmy nomination), Zoobilee Zoo, Faerie Tale Theatre’s Puss N’ Boots with Gregory Hines, The Jesse Owens Story, Ellis Island (Golden Globe Nomination), Lost in London, and Salute to Liberty Special.  His own network television shows are Ben Vereen: His Roots (Seven Emmy Awards), Tenspeed and Brownshoe and You Write the Songs. In the early 90’s, he released a number of well-received children’s Sing-Along musical videos.

Ben was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his performance in the Hallmark movie An Accidental Friendship.  He appeared in the features, 21 and a Wake-Up starring Faye Dunaway and Mama, I Want to Sing! in which Ben

co-starred opposite Ciara and Patti LaBelle.  While filming Idlewild with the award winning group Outkast, he also served as the acting coach for both Andre 3000 and Big Boy.  In addition, he has been coaching the singing sensation Usher both as an entertainer and an actor. Ben was featured in the movie, On The One – Preaching to the Choir directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Other film credits include Sweet Charity, All That Jazz, Funny Lady (Golden Globe

nomination), Why Do Fools Fall in Love, And Then Came Love starring Vanessa Williams, the animated movies Khumba and Once Upon a Forest, Christmas in Washington and The Painting which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2004, Ben was nominated for a “Career Achievement Award” by the Le Prix International Film Star Awards Organization.

For over 40 years, Ben has showcased his versatility and creativity, performing countless one-man shows in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. He was the first simultaneous winner of the “Entertainer of the Year,” “Rising Star,” and “Song and Dance Star” awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). He also earned a coveted spot in the Casino Legends Hall of Fame. Ben Vereen is currently touring his one man show, Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen, dazzling audiences throughout the United States.  His show is a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.  Featuring songs such as “Defying Gravity,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “For Good” from Wicked and “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,” Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen is a contemporary and timeless journey through the Broadway songbook. He promises an evening of song and dance, filled with entertainment and laughter, stories and inspiration!

Ben and his trio are currently touring his one man show, “Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen”. He also performs with symphonies around the country.

The lecture circuit has become an integral part of Ben’s career, as he has become one of the Nations’ most requested speakers among audiences of all ages. His strong sense of social consciousness has enabled him to reach out to his audiences and convey to them a deep feeling of understanding. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education, Black history, motivational topics, Broadway lecture with song, recovery through physical and occupational therapy and the importance of continuing education – to name a few.

Ben’s gift of time has benefited many organizations. He has served on Ballet Florida’s Board of Directors, the American Red Cross and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Association. In 1989, he spearheaded his own organization, “Celebrities for a Drug Free America,” which raised money for drug rehabilitation centers, educational programs and inner city community-based projects. The Community Mental Health Council awarded Ben with their 2004 Lifeline Celebration Achievement Award.  For his humanitarian contributions, he has received a number of awards including Israel’s Cultural and Humanitarian Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, an Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award and a Victory Award. He has received honorary

doctorates from the University of Arizona, Emerson College, St. Francis College, and Columbia College in Chicago. In 2001, Medgar Evers College created the Ben Vereen Scholarship for the Performing Arts, and in 2004, he received an Achievement in Excellence Award from his alma mater, the High School of the Performing Arts.

Ben celebrated Eartha Kitt’s 80th birthday in concert at Carnegie Hall to multiple standing ovations and in front of the Armed Forces for those men and women who have served in Iraq, truly a major highlight of his career.  In 2009, he performed at the Inaugural Ball and entertained at the reopening of the Ford Theatre in Washington, D.C., which was attended by President Obama.  He entertained at the Friar’s Club gala honouring CBS president Leslie Moonves.  Soon after, he led ongoing diabetes awareness campaign called “S.T.A.N.D.” in partnership with Sanofi-Aventis pharmaceuticals where he represented them exclusively for a few years.  He later became a celebrity ambassador with Novo Nordisk where he travelled around the country speaking on Living with Type 2 Diabetes.

In February of 2011, Ben released his CD Steppin’ Out Live with Ben Vereen and staged a triumphant return to Broadway with his concert “BEN VEREEN ON BROADWAY AT TOWN HALL”. 

On January 30th, 2012, Ben was inducted into The Theatre Hall of Fame. He performed for 100,000 people at the Washington Monument on July 4th and in August, Ben was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame. Ben also received the Broadwayworld.com 2012 Cabaret Award BEST CELEBRITY MALE VOCALIST for his dazzling 2 week run at the New York City’s latest music venue 54 Below. In May of 2013, he received his honorary degree from the LaGuardia School of Performing Arts.

Ben led the American Athletes into the LA Coliseum for The Special Olympics, followed by participating in Producer Nigel Lythgoe’s event in Beverly Hills introducing dance as a competition for the first time in the history of the Special Olympics. At the DIZZY FEET FOUNDATION GALA, he presented an award to George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn the stars of WEST SIDE STORY.

We are proud to announce that Ben has been named Ambassador to the Urban Voices Project; he performed with the choir for a virtual homeless event (Care for the Homeless) where he sang with the choir, “I Want to Know What Love Is”.   Ben’s performance for the York Theatre and Michael Feinstein’s Great American Songbook Foundation aired to rave reviews.  Ben opened the Juneteenth event in Times Square last summer and will reappear again this summer. He is currently working on the television pilot Midas, where everything he touches turns to gold and wisdom. Ben continues to give motivational speeches virtually around the country.

The role of CODA is to make the unheard understood. We are a bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds. We live in two realms, with two voices but only one heart. We give voice not only with our hands but with our entire beings. Our eyes, face, tempo, intensity, and every nuance mean something beyond words. It is a different understanding, like music. Everyone can appreciate music, but only some understand it, like a musician. Being a CODA is being born into a musical family that understands silence, sound, and vibration on a different frequency.

My name is Jeanette Lee (my sign name is Gigi), and I am a CODA. My parents are Max and Donna May Hardy, from Salt Lake City, Utah. I am passionate about inclusivity,  bringing the Deaf and hearing worlds together, and making them better places for everyone. American Sign Language (ASL) is my first language. I became an interpreter for the Deaf at age 18 and established the inaugural ASL program at Southern Utah University, which continues today. As a beauty queen holding various national and international titles, I have utilized my platform to discuss Deaf Awareness. I have partnered with the NBA team, the Utah Jazz, signing the National Anthem and teaching the mascot how to sign so that the games were interactive for everyone. I partnered with NBA athletes, working basketball camps for the Deaf. I also partnered with Coca-Cola serving as an ASL interpreter during the Olympics.

As a dedicated educator for over 28 years, I taught  ASL as a foreign language and introduced the Long-Distance Learning Program to the Jordan School District in Utah. My students continue to serve as interpreters and teachers for the Deaf. I currently reside in Las Vegas, where I teach high school English and advise the ASL club at my high school. My latest project was the documentary “Sign the Show” by Cat Brewer, which is currently making its way into theatres across the county.

Ben Vereen invites the Deaf community to his performance “Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen—through the hands of a CODA” for an evening of entertainment at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Vereen, best known as a Broadway, television, and film star, is committed to providing an environment where the Deaf community belongs. Not only does he want to help make the unheard understood, but his show will present various vibrations to be felt and enjoyed by everyone.

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