Ben Vereen's One Man Show Remains Positive

Actor, singer, activist Ben Vereen's positive outlook on life is contagious, and how he came to appreciate all aspects, even the hard times, comes from his upbringing in New York.

"If we say this too will pass, it will pass," Vereen told Patch in a recent interview. "My mother raised me this way."

He said that at times the lights would go out and there would be little to eat on the table.

Vereen remembers his mother telling him: "You may have nothing today, and all we have is a doughnut. Eat the donught, leave the hole, meaning we will always survive. Sometimes you have to eat the hole, but it will be OK."

The entertrainer's life story will be part of the performance on Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. at the McCallum in Palm Desert.

"It’s through songs, through general feelings," Vereen said, adding that he will sing various songs with three musicians.

He said attendees can expect to get energized. "I get caught up in it as well," Vereen added.

Just last week, he was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame, an honor he said he feels blessed to have.

Vereen's acting credits include roles such as Chicken George in “Roots” and as Louis Armstrong in “Louis Armstrong - Chicago Style.”  More recently, he has appeared on the television shows “Grey's Anatomy,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Touched By An Angel,” “The Nanny,” “Star Trek - The Next Generation.”

His career also includes the lecture circuit on such topics as overcoming adversity, arts in education, Black history, motivational topics, recovery through physical and occupational therapy and the importance of continuing education.

On Broadway, he has appeared in Wicked; Fosse; I'm Not Rappaport; Hair; Jesus Christ Superstar; Pippin; Jelly's Last Jam; and A Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway credits include the award-winning original production of The Exonerated. 

Tickets are priced at $85, $65, $55 and $35 and are available by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787 or online at www.mccallumtheatre.com.