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BEN VEREEN HEADS NEW YEAR'S DAY SHOW
Niagara Falls, NY, December 2004 - Effervescent entertainer Ben Vereen is the headliner for Seneca Niagara Casino's first show of the New Year on Saturday, January 1, 2005 at Conference Center Niagara Falls. Tickets for the 9 p.m. show are $20 and are available at SenecaNiagaraCasino.com, Eight Clans Gift Shop, ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's stores.
Vereen's unique ability to blend rare talent with a strong sense of social consciousness has enabled him to take on impressive musical, comedic and dramatic roles with finesse and excellence. His first love is the theater, which makes sense, as he hit the New York stage in "Prodigal Son" at age 18. Shortly thereafter, he was cast in the touring company of "Sweet Charity," eventually making his 1969 screen debut in the film version. He joined the cast of "Hair" in 1969, at various junctures playing both Claude and Berger. The following year he won the Theatre World Award for his portrayal of Judas in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar." After a season with the National Shakespeare Company, Vereen was cast as the lead in the Broadway musical "Pippin," a performance that earned him a Tony Award. He also starred in the Broadway musical "Grind" and in the San Francisco production of "I'm Not Rappaport." One of his most memorable roles came in 1993 when he starred in the Broadway musical "Jelly's Last Jam" as The Chimney Man, a year after suffering a near-fatal accident.
In between his stage roles he seemed destined to appear in musical films like "Funny Lady" in 1975 and "All That Jazz" in 1979. Then he proved his dramatic talents with his unforgettable portrayal of Chicken George in the landmark television miniseries "Roots." Vereen's television credits include other mini-series and specials including "The Jesse Owens Story," "Ellis Island" (for which he received a Golden Globe nomination), "Intruders: They are Among Us," which garnered an Emmy nomination, and "Salute to Liberty Special." He also appeared in numerous television shows such as "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Webster" and "Silk Stockings" with recurring roles on "J.J. Starbuck," "Booker" and was a star in his own series "Tenspeed and Brownshoe." In the early 1990s, he released a number of well-received children's sing-along musical videos.
An integral part of Vereen's career is the lecture circuit. He is in high demand for engagements, addressing audiences of all ages and in all venues. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education and African-American history to motivation and the importance of continuing education.
Vereen has been widely honored for his humanitarian activities and philanthropic generosity. He has served on boards for organizations including the American Red Cross, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association and his own organization, Celebrities for a Drug Free America.
He received the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award, Israel's Humanitarian Award, Image Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Victory Award as well as honorary doctorates from Emerson College, Columbia College and St. Francis College.
Seneca Niagara Casino is New York State's first full-service casino featuring reel-spinning and video slot machines. Just a few blocks from world-famous Niagara Falls, the Casino is located at 310 Fourth Street. The 112,590 square feet gaming floor houses more than 3,200 slot machines and 97 table games. A separate smoke-free casino, Turtle Island, is also available to patrons along with the Poker Room and the high-stakes Blue Heron Room.
In addition to gaming, Seneca Niagara Casino offers several restaurants including Thunder Falls Buffet, Morrie's Place and The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse. The Bear's Den Showroom, a 443-seat showroom-style theater and Club 101, a unique music venue located in the heart of the gaming floor, provide live entertainment. Free parking is available to patrons through complimentary valet services, self-parking areas and a four-story garage with covered walkway. The Casino is owned and operated by The Seneca Nation of Indians.
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