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9 articles from 2009

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Actor Ben Vereen Found "Way Back to Speech" After 1992 Accident

1 July 2009 8:22 AM, PDT | icelebz.com | See recent iCelebz news »

On one summer day in 1992, award-winning actor, performer and humanitarian Ben Vereen had a most precious gift ripped from him. A head injury sustained from a hellish auto accident left him with the inability to speak. Otherwise taken for granted, it was skill upon which his livelihood depended.

In a recent podcast produced by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (Asha), Vereen discusses how human communication professionals helped him bounce back from his potentially career-freezing ordeal.

As a performer, he had to "find a way back to speech." Thanks to rigorous therapy administered by speech-language pathologists (SLPs), Vereen's speech capacity made a full recovery.

In the podcast, he communicates a high level gratitude for the speech-language pathologists who rehabilitated him to full pre-accident function. "They're special at healing," Vereen adds. "The wonderful workings with people helped me regain my speech after my 1992 accident."

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La Times: Original 'Leading Player' Vereen Cheers on Pippin at The Mark Taper

27 January 2009 9:36 PM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

Ben Vereen earned a Tony Award for his singing and dancing in Pippin, and while his vast and celebrated career has taken him far beyond those early days of that Fosse hit, his heart will always belong to the stage. Vereen was there for the opening night of the Ctg and Deaf West Theatre production of Pippin at the Mark Taper Forum. He spoke to the Los Angeles Time about performing in the original Broadway mounting, and how much the show still matters to the audience...and him. Vereen explained to the La Times that "Pippin" holds an undeniably central spot in his heart. "Well, first of all, it got me a Tony," he said with a loud laugh that echoed outside the theater minutes before the opening night curtain. "It was also an honor to work with Bob Fosse. There was nothing more rewarding." »

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Broadway Theatre Project Holds Auditions for Summer Program 2/7

26 January 2009 3:48 PM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

Auditions are being held in NYC by Artistic Director Debra McWaters for Btp's intensive three-week musical theatre training program. Auditions are open calls and no appointments are necessary. The 2009 session takes place from July 12 - August 1. Master Classes at Btp have been taught in the past by such Broadway luminaries as Julie Andrews, Christopher d'Amboise, Rob Fisher, Terrence Mann, Austin Pendleton, Ben Vereen, Frank Wildhorn and Patrick Wilson, to name only a few. Btp alums have performed in over 65 shows on Broadway - complete list available upon request. Visit broadwaytheatreproject.com for more information. »

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Broadway Theatre Project Holds NYC Auditions for Summer Program 2/7

24 January 2009 3:20 PM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

Auditions will held in NYC by Artistic Director Debra McWaters for Btp's intensive three-week musical theatre training program. Auditions are open calls and no appointments are necessary. The 2009 session takes place from July 12 - August 1. Master Classes at Btp have been taught in the past by such Broadway luminaries as Julie Andrews, Christopher d'Amboise, Rob Fisher, Terrence Mann, Austin Pendleton, Ben Vereen, Frank Wildhorn and Patrick Wilson, to name only a few. Btp alums have performed in over 65 shows on Broadway - complete list available upon request. Visit broadwaytheatreproject.com for more information. When:Saturday, February 7, 2009 - 11:00am Where:Ripley Greer Studios, 17th Floor, 520 8th Ave., New York City »

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Alliance Theater To Host Red Carpet Event For Superstar

20 January 2009 1:02 PM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

The Alliance Theatre will host a red carpet event for the Opening Night of the new musical Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. In attendance will be actor Ben Vereen, nominated for a Tony Award for his portray of Judas in the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Among others, also in attendance will be Grammy-winning country artist Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Earl Klugh (Grammy-winning jazz guitarist and composer) and actress Jasmine Guy. The red carpet arrivals will be hosted by Kiss 104.1 FM's Veronica Waters. After the show, guests will enjoy a reception at Shout Restaurant in Midtown. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. Ne, Atlanta, Ga 30309 Experience the hit musical as you never have before - as gospel choirs raise the roof off our Alliance. Throw your hands together and rejoice in a vibrant explosion of beloved music that puts the power of praise back into the gospels. This new gospel version »

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Rialto Chatter: Tony Winner Vereen Hit With 10 Million Dollar Lawsuit

19 January 2009 1:36 PM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

WENN News Services is reporting that Tony winning actor Ben Vereen has been hit with a $10 million lawsuit by his daughter's ex-fiance over a house the former couple once shared together. William McGlynn, 39, in the lawsuit filed last week, claims he proposed to Malaika Vereen with a $30,500 engagement ring in 2004 and spent over $250,500 on the entertainer's daughter and grandson during their two-year courtship. McGlynn alleges he made a $123,000down payment on the $600,000 New Jersey home the couple shared, which was co-signed by Ben Vereen reports WENN. McGlynn allegedly called off the wedding in 2005 and demanded to sell the home and be reimbursed for his down payment, when he learned his future father-in-law was the only name on the deed. McGlynn says, "(Vereen) said my word is my word, we don't have to sign anything. He told me that everything would be okay... I tried reaching out to him... he said it's out of his hands. »

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Vereen Sued For $10 Million By Daughter's Ex-fiance

18 January 2009 5:24 PM, PST | WENN | See recent WENN news »

Veteran actor Ben Vereen has been hit with a $10 million (GBP6.7 million) lawsuit by his daughter's ex-fiance, over a home the former couple once shared.

In the lawsuit filed last week (beg12Jan09), William McGlynn, 39, claims he proposed to Malaika Vereen with a $30,500 (GBP20,470) engagement ring in 2004 and spent over $250,500 (GBP168,120) on the entertainer's daughter and grandson during their two-year courtship.

McGlynn alleges he made a $123,000 (GBP82,550) down payment on the $600,000 (GBP402,685) New Jersey home the couple shared, which was co-signed by Ben Vereen.

The former Ups (United Parcel Service) worker allegedly called off the wedding in 2005 and demanded to sell the home and be reimbursed for his down payment, when he learned his future father-in-law was the only name on the deed.

According to the New York Daily News, McGlynn is now demanding Vereen and his daughter return the ring, reimburse the money he put down on the house, and pay $5 million (GBP3.4 million) each in punitive damages.

McGlynn says, "(Vereen) said my word is my word, we don't have to sign anything. He told me that everything would be okay... I tried reaching out to him... he said it's out of his hands.

"Even if I don't get the money back, I can let people know who these people are - to beware. Love is blind, I guess."

A spokesperson for the actor tells the newspaper his client was shocked to learn of the suit.

Vereen's daughter could not be reached as WENN went to press. »

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Hair Creator O'Horgan Dies

13 January 2009 7:57 AM, PST | WENN | See recent WENN news »

American director Tom O'Horgan, who created hit hippie musical Hair has died, aged 84.

O'Horgan, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died on Sunday at his home in Venice, Florida. No cause of death has been given.

In addition to the 1968 musical, which was transformed from a mild success to a Broadway smash in 1971, O'Horgan's other Broadway plays included Jesus Christ Superstar, Lenny and Inner City.

But it was Hair that earned him a Tony Award nomination in 1969 for Best Direction of a Musical.

The musical remains such a success, a new Broadway production of the show is scheduled to open on 31 March.

O'Horgan's physical approach to direction is often attributed to his talents as a composer, singer, actor and musician, having helmed productions at La Mama Experimental Theater Club, including Futz! Tom Paine, and The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria, earlier in his career.

He is also credited with discovering or helping to discover actors Frederic Forrest, Ben Vereen and Ron Perlman.

His work was honoured with three Drama Desk Awards for his Off Broadway direction; he was also named theatrical director of the year by Newsweek in 1968.

O'Horgan left no immediate survivors. »

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The Naacp Image Awards Nominations

7 January 2009 2:06 PM, PST | Manny the Movie Guy | See recent Manny the Movie Guy news »

The Naacp has announced it's 40th Annual Image Awards nominations. In the film category, Cadillac Records, The Secret Life of Bees, Miracle at St. Anna, Seven Pounds and Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys" have been nominated.

The TV network with the most nominations? ABC with 24 total!

The awards night will be televised on Fox, Feb. 12 from the Shrine Auditorium.

Click Read More to see the complete list of nominees:

Television Categories

Comedy Series

"30 Rock" (NBC)

"Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)

"The Game" (CW)

"Tyler Perry.s House of Payne" (TBS)

"Ugly Betty" (ABC)

Actor in a Comedy Series

Donald Faison - "Scrubs" (NBC)

Lavan Davis - "Tyler Perry.s House of Payne" (TBS)

Paul James - "Greek" (ABC Family)

Terry Crews - "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)

Tyler James Williams - "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)

Actress in a Comedy Series

America Ferrera - »

- Manny

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2009 | 2006 | 2004

9 articles from 2009

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