Research Catalog

Ben Vereen the hard way

Title: Ben Vereen [videorecording] : the hard way / produced by CBS News Productions for A&E Network ; produced by Kevin Huffman.
Publication: U.S. : A&E Network, c2000.

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Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Request Appointment Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Performing Arts Research Collections to submit a request in person.	Moving image	Use in library	*MGZIA 4-4889	Performing Arts Research Collections - Dance

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Description

1 videocassette (51 min.) : sd., col. with b&w sequences NTSC; 1/2 in. (VHS)

Summary

Biography of actor, dancer, and singer Ben Vereen, as told in his own words and those of his family, friends, colleagues, and observers. The program begins by exploring the hardships of his childhood in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, N.Y. ; his education at the High School of Performing Arts ; and his break into show business in Bob Fosse's Las Vegas production of Sweet Charity. Performance excerpts and still photos depict the highlights of his career in the theater, film and television: Golden boy (with Sammy Davis, Jr.), Hair (directed by Tom O'Horgan), Charles Gordone's play No place to be somebody, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, his television variety show Comin' at ya, Funny lady (the film sequel to Funny girl, with Barbra Streisand), the television series Roots, and Fosse's autobiographical film All that jazz. Also discussed is the controversy aroused by his performances as Bert Williams, an African-American comedian who often appeared in blackface. The program also traces a difficult period in Vereen's life, beginning with his daughter's death in a traffic accident, his use of drugs to assuage his grief, and his severe injuries in a freak accident in the street. His rehabilitation and subsequent triumph in the musical Jelly's last jam, with Gregory Hines, followed by a montage of his life achievements, close the program.

Series Statement

Biography

Subjects

Genre/Form

Biographies.
Interviews.
Video.

Credits (note)

Executive producer, Tom Seligson ; supervising senior producer, Brett Alexander ; original music, Max Surla.

Performer (note)

[Host:] Harry Smith.
Interviewees: Ben Vereen, Mel Watkins, Andrea Townsley Vereen, Leonard Jordan, Aixa Clemente, Tom O'Horgan, David Sheehan, Ann Reinking, Glynn Turman, Malaika Vereen, Kabara Vereen, Leslie Uggams, Karon Vereen, David Foster, Dr. Gill Cryer, Marijeanne Liederbach.
Narrator: Anthony Mason.

Event (note)

Telecast on October 10, 2000.

Call Number

*MGZIA 4-4889

OCLC

NYPY01-F187

Title

Ben Vereen [videorecording] : the hard way / produced by CBS News Productions for A&E Network ; produced by Kevin Huffman.

Imprint

U.S. : A&E Network, c2000.

Series

Biography

Event

Telecast on October 10, 2000.

Credits

Executive producer, Tom Seligson ; supervising senior producer, Brett Alexander ; original music, Max Surla.

Performer

[Host:] Harry Smith.

Interviewees: Ben Vereen, Mel Watkins, Andrea Townsley Vereen, Leonard Jordan, Aixa Clemente, Tom O'Horgan, David Sheehan, Ann Reinking, Glynn Turman, Malaika Vereen, Kabara Vereen, Leslie Uggams, Karon Vereen, David Foster, Dr. Gill Cryer, Marijeanne Liederbach.

Narrator: Anthony Mason.

Local Subject

Musical comedies. Sweet Charity.

Musical comedies. Hair.

Musical comedies. Jesus Christ superstar.

Musical comedies. Pippin.

Motion pictures. All that jazz.

Added Author

Vereen, Ben. Performer

Vereen, Ben, interviewee.

Watkins, Mel, 1940- interviewee.

Davis, Sammy, Jr., 1925-1990. Performer

O'Horgan, Tom, interviewee.

Reinking, Ann, interviewee.

Turman, Glynn, interviewee.

Uggams, Leslie, interviewee.

Liederbach, Marijeanne, interviewee.

Huffman, Kevin. Producer

Seligson, Tom. Producer

Fiorello H. La Guardia High School of Music and the Arts (New York, N.Y.)

Arts and Entertainment Network.

Research Call Number

*MGZIA 4-4889

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