OREM — Older Utahns will remember him as Chicken George from the TV miniseries "Roots," but Tony Award winner Ben Vereen will give them much more to remember during his visit to the SCERA Shell.
Vereen has a long list of theatrical credits to his name and is known for his smooth dancing, musical prowess and dramatic acting. He plays the Wizard in the Broadway musical hit "Wicked," and since Broadway is closed on Mondays, Vereen has chosen to light up the night in Utah with his tribute to musical theater.
Vereen's awards include Entertainer of the Year, Rising Star and Song and Dance Star from the American Guild of Variety Artists. He is a popular headliner with nearly 10 major symphonies, including the New York Pops. He made two appearances with the Utah Symphony in 1996 and 1997.
He faced challenges in his career 1992 when he was involved in a near-fatal car accident. Utahns may remember him appearing with the Utah Symphony in 1996 in a wheelchair. He was recuperating from two knee replacement surgeries as a result of the accident.
Has that slowed him down? Not at all.
One year following the accident he made his return to Broadway as the Chimney Man in the musical "Jelly's Last Jam." That success was followed with others, including "Sweet Charity," "Hair," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and the long-running hit that has become his signature role, "Pippin."
Children attending the SCERA National Youth Theatre workshop during the week will honor Vereen by presenting a scene from "Pippin" as his concert opener. A VIP reception with Vereen and the children will be held following the concert.
Vereen is also an in-demand speaker nationwide, where his topics range from overcoming adversity to the arts, to black history and education. His causes include the American Heart Association, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Association and his own organization, Celebrities for a Drug Free America. His humanitarian efforts have yielded him the Victory Award, the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award and the NAACP Image Award.
If you go . . .
What: Ben Vereen in concert
Where: SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater, 697 S. State, Orem
When: 8 p.m., June 26
Cost: $15/$10 children, seniors and students. Reserved seating available
Phone: 225-2569
Web: www.scera.org