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Ben Vereen

Legendary performer Ben Vereen will appear at three University of Hawaiʻi campuses and four islands as part of his Hawaiʻi tour this month.

His Oʻahu appearance will benefit community programming by two University of Hawaiʻi programs.

The Newark Examiner called Vereen “a lesson in performance energy…a tour de force…a man who loves life, wants you to love life…the youngest man performing today.” Few entertainers are as accomplished or versatile. His performance are filled with song and dance, stories of his life, a great deal of humor and always multiple standing ovations.

Vereen performs at UH Hilo on January 21; Kauaʻi Community College Performing Arts Center on January 22 and Maui Arts and Cultural Center on January 27. He will also conduct a master class at Leeward Community College on January 25 and conclude his Hawaiʻi tour on Oʻahu January 28.

A versatile performer

Vereen has a recurring role on the CBS–TV comedy How I Met Your Mother. In February 2011, he 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.

He has appeared in numerous major Broadway shows, including Wicked, Fosse, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rappaport, Jelly’s Last Jam, A Christmas Carol and Pippin, which garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He appeared in the television mini-series Roots and in movies including All that Jazz.

On January 30 he’ll be inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Vereen has also received multiple awards for his many humanitarian efforts including Israel’s Cultural and Humanitarian Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, an Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award and a Victory Award.

Hawaiʻi performances

January 21, 7:30 p.m., UH Hilo Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets are $30 general, $25 for seniors, faculty/staff and youth, $15 for U Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College students and children under 13; purchase online or by phone at (808) 974-7310.

January 22, 5 p.m., Kauaʻi Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $35 adults, $10 students; purchase online or by phone at (808) 245-7464.

January 27, 7:30 p.m., Castle Theatre at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Tickets are $12 to $47; order online.

January 28, 8 p.m., Leeward Community College Theatre. Tickets are $75 general and $20 students; call (808) 455-0385 or (808) 956-8246. Note: A portion of the ticket price will go toward supporting future performing arts events from both Outreach College and Leeward Community College.

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