VideoBen Vereen Tells Kelly Clarkson He Didn't Know About the Tonys Until He Was Nominated for One
The Tony-winning Broadway veteran was first nominated for creating the role of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
By
Leah Putnam
September 12, 2022
Tony winner Ben Vereen shared with American Idol winner and talkshow host Kelly Clarkson that he was unaware of the Tony Awards until he was first nominated for his performance as Judas Iscariot in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972.
The self-described "kid from Brooklyn" said he had his head down concentrating in his work and how winning awards were not his goal. Vereen also spoke about how he first got into the arts by attending Manhattan's High School for the Performing Arts. He recalled auditioning for a spot at the famed school and doing a dance—not knowing he was performing it for Martha Graham and George Balanchine.
Watch the Broadway veteran's full interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show above.
Vereen won the the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in the original Broadway production of Pippin. His many other Broadway credits include Hair, Grind, Jelly's Last Jam, Fosse, I'm Not Rappaport, and Wicked.
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Look Back at Song and Dance Legend Ben Vereen On the Stage