Ben Vereen, actor, singer, dancer, and Broadway star, appeared Saturday night at the Topeka Performing Arts Center (T-PAC). Mr. Vereen was also the opening act for the facility 20 years ago.
Ben Vereen appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar, Wicked, Pippin, Hair, Sweet Charity, and The Wizard of Oz on Broadway, and in All That Jazz and Funny Lady in film. His television credits include Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Webster, Ten Speed and Brown Shoe, How I Met Your Mother, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, he is probably best known for his role as "Chicken George" Moore on Roots.
In the late '60's, when applying for a passport, Vereen learned he was adopted. In 1992 he was struck by a vehicle driven by legendary producer David Foster. Vereen had crashed his car on the PCH and was walking around in a daze, and ironically, being hit and thrown 90 feet, as he has stated publicly, probably saved his life. Vereen had a serious drinking problem probably caused by the death of his daughter. Vereen required special rehabilitation to regain his ability to speak and walk.
Mr. Vereen's stage band included Nelson Kole on piano (and music director), Thomas Kennedy on bass, Marc Dicciani on drums, and percussionist/conga player, his son, Aaron Vereen. One of the highlights of the evening was his solo performances with each of his four musicians. A screen above center stage displayed a Hirschfield sketch logo of Vereen. Vereen shared his early love of theater, his days at the High School for the Performing Arts, his professional beginnings, and his artistic triumphs.
Today Mr. Vereen performs one-man shows and actively lectures on black history and inspirational topics.
