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 Views,
Reviews, and Interviews
by Dianne R. Davis
diannerd@aol.com
Photos by Dianne or Burt Davis
Ben
Vereen is Back and He’s at South Point
Ben Vereen is versatile and talented. He has distinguished himself in
films, on stage, as a singer, a dancer, and an actor. He will bring his
variety of talents to the South Point Hotel and Casino on December 28th
, 29th , and 30th. I had the pleasure of chatting with Mr. Vereen last
week.
Ben Vereen
DD: Welcome back to Las Vegas. You are a singer, a dancer, an actor. An
advocate, a speaker. What order do you put them in?
BV: Wherever the people are, that’s where I’ll be. Whatever they want me
to do. I
love it all. I am blessed to do what I love to do.
DD: We’re looking forward to seeing you at the South Point on December
28-30. Will it be an hour and a quarter of Ben Vereen solo or will there
be an opening act, back up dancers?
BV: All me. There will be 7 or 8 others with me, but it will be an
evening with Ben Vereen.
DD: I seen that you have done a tribute to Sammy. Will you be doing some
of that in your act? What will you be doing in your show?
BV: No, it’s not the show about Sammy. That’s a big band show. I hope to
come back to do it. It’s Ben Vereen sings the music of Sammy. Multi
media. I don’t do Sammy. There’s only Sammy. I pay tribute to the honor
of the man and his music. A lot of people do Sammy. Because of him, my
life changed dramatically. He was my friend. I love his music. That icon
made it possible for me to be where I am today. This will be a fun
evening of talk and music and dance. It’s a nice show.
DD: What do you think of Las Vegas?
BV: I am very proud of Vegas. Vegas is embracing Broadway. One day maybe
Vegas will go to Broadway. I did the first Broadway show to go to Vegas
in 1967. It was with Juliet Prowse at Caesars palace. Thirty years
later, I did the show Chicago in Las Vegas. I think Las Vegas can
support the theater. I think the locals want the arts badly.
DD: You’ve appeared with some of the best. If you could perform with
anyone tomorrow who is living now, what venue would you choose and who
would be with you.?
BV: Shirley MacClaine, Liza, Chita Rivera, Bernadette Peters. Also, I
like some of the young whippersnappers. Usher considers himself my
Godson. But the man never calls me. I am proud of him. He studied my
work. My daughter brought him to me. She brought him to me and said, Dad
you gotta work with him. Usher, You call me. I’m your godfather, you
gotta call me. I didn’t get invited to his wedding. He had a baby, I
didn’t hear from him. I’m really proud of him. I want the best for him.
DD: Do you have any rituals that you perform before a show?
BV: I pray a lot. Laugh. Oh god, please let them like me. We have a
circle of prayer. And we bless the audience. The open channel that the
universe to bring the ceremony and celebration.
DD: How do you unwind after a show?
BV: I sit still and meditate.
DD: Will you be catching any other acts while you are here?
BV: Oh yea. Wayne, my friend Wayne Brady. He is a great kid. I love
Wayne Brady. He is sincere, dedicated. He says, Hey dad. I say, yes son.
He is just the epitome of old school. He is what we, cats like myself,
would like to see in a performer. He’s got it.
DD: Any other people you’d like to see.
BV: Yes. There was a time when you so could see a show and then see
other show. I would love to do that. We did it at Sahara. The cabbie
show. For all the show kids and cabs. A thank you. Now its kind of hard
to do that.
DD: Vegas is famous for all its fine dining? Do you have favorites?
BV: No. all my places are gone. There used to be soul food on Paradise.
I think it’s gone now.
DD: You’ve been an award winning singer, dancer, actor on Broadway.
You’ve had memorable television roles. You’ve appeared in numerous
films. Which do you prefer?
BV: This is the 30th anniversary of Roots. The reason we did, They
didn’t have film during slavery. Only papers. Alex Haley scratched the
service. ABC had the courage to put it on the air. This is a glimpse of
it. Go search for the rest. Now, the book is major part of school
system. It is wonderful.
I am advocate for prayer in schools. Not just Christian prayer. Prayer
sets the tone for the day. Something about the vibration changes. Not
just Christian. Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist. There is one mountaintop,
but there are many trails to that mountaintop. So we each begin to
understand each other’s culture. Then we fear not, because we are one
people. Maybe we might see a difference in the world. Maybe not just
one. This planet not made of just one. We may have many trails, but only
one mountaintop. I am spiritual. We are all spiritual. The power without
is within you. We truly are one people.
DD: You’ve received numerous awards for your work. Which one are you
most proud of?
BV: Today is the greatest day of my life. I live in the day. I can’t
diminish any honors I have received. Every one, even from the girl
scouts or boy scouts. The badge. I am alive and well.
DD: You’ve had some rough times over the years. How are you today?
BV: I’ve moved into a new space in my life. A Ministry. The Art Of
Living The church that deals with the arts. Life itself is an art form.
We are to reveal the art of love. The process of that helps me tow the
line. I am not always inside the line. I am human.
The church is in Los Angeles on Overland Avenue. It is
Non-denominational. Everyone is welcome there. WE try to create a space
where people can grow spiritually and feel uplifted. It is not religion,
it is spiritual.
DD: Who are the performers today that we should be watching? Who do you
see as tomorrow’s stars?
BV: Whomever the public likes. Wayne Brady. He is right there.
DD: And we are delighted that you will be right here this week-end.
For ticket information for Ben Vereen’s show at South Point Hotel &
Casino, call 702 797 8055 or go to
http://www.southpointcasino.com .
Clint Holmes Unplugged Holiday Show at the Sahara
Special Engagement Runs through December 31st
There’s a good reason why Clint Holmes is a Las Vegas headliner. He’s
good. When he decided to concentrate on following his dream to create a
Broadway show based on his life, it was our loss. Now, Holmes is back
for a limited engagement at the Sahara along with his friend and musical
director/ conductor Bill Fayne and the incredible talents of Domenick
Allen, the former lead singer of Foreigner.
I check out the show and was delighted with it. I expected a lot of
Christmas music, well sung by Holmes. Instead, the audience was treated
to a performance that felt more like a fabulous jam session in someone’s
basement. Musicians making music, Singers singing.
Clint is jazz in action, toe tapping and tongue tapping, using his
movement as an enhancement for his singing. Allen plays every instrument
from saxophone to guitar. The night I saw the show, Clint coaxed his
wife of 5 weeks, the talented Kelly Clinton, out of the audience. An
added bonus.
The show is another hit for David Saxe productions. “Clint Holmes
Unplugged Holiday Show” plays nightly at 9 p.m. nightly except Sundays.
Tickets start at $25 tax and fees are not included for Las Vegas
residents, $49 tax and fees not included for adult general admission and
$59 tax and fees not included for VIP seating. For ticket reservations,
guests may call (702) 737-2515 or purchase online at
www.saharavegas.com.
Video
Interview at South Point Hotel's New Primarily Prime Rib Restaurant
Video interview:
Dianne and South Point Owner Michael Gaughn
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