Ben Vereen to Headline MenAlive's Academy Affair 2013 Fundraiser, 2/23
Ben Vereen, one of America's most versatile, talented and beloved entertainers, will take the stage with MenAlive, The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus, at "Academy Affair 2013," on Saturday, February 23, 2013.
The black-tie optional event, MenAlive's fourth annual fundraiser, will be held at The Center Club, 650 Town Center Drive, Garden Level. in Costa Mesa. The newly remodeled venue is Orange County's premier private club.
During his more than 40 years in the spotlight, Mr. Vereen has become a mega-star of both stage and screen. His role as Leading Player in Pippin earned him a Tony, but he is probably best remembered as Chicken George in Roots, the landmark TV mini-series. His other Broadway credits include Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair, and he has guest- starred on such TV shows as Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, and Law and Order, Criminal Intent.
He is currently touring in his one-man show "Steppin' Out With Ben Vereen," in which he pays homage to Broadway, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. The show is yet another success for Vereen, having captivated audiences in America, Europe, and Australia.MenAlive is a nonprofit, 501(c3) organization, with this mission: "Through music, men's voices unite as a vehicle to entertain, educate, bring healing, joy, community and build bridges to the public at large." Since its founding in 2001, the group has grown from about 30 members to be one of Orange County's largest and most respected choruses, and is an integral part of the southern California arts scene. MenAlive recently performed a highly successful "A Winter Spectacular" with the legendary Liza Minnelli at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.
"Academy Affair 2013" starts with a VIP reception at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, a live auction, and closes with Mr. Vereen and the MenAlive chorus's performance. Tickets are $175 for dinner/show, and a limited number of tickets for the VIP reception and dinner/show are available at $250 each. Among the items to be auctioned are a Caesar's Palace Las Vegas getaway, a Disneyland/California Adventure, Wine Country getaway and more.
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