Legendary star of stage, film, and television, Ben Vereen is in Toronto and grateful for many things. Vereen has been cast as Dr. Scott in Kenny Ortega’s remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, currently filming in Toronto.
On April 14, Vereen presented his Master Class to students at the Claude Watson School of the Arts at Earl Haig Secondary School. Vereen worked with three grade 12 students on monologues before the rest of the school. After the class, Post City spoke with him about life, wellness, and Rocky Horror.
You incorporate a health element into what you teach.
Wellness Through Arts is an organization I started. It’s in Tuscan, Sacramento… There are kids there that have obesity, face bullying, have lack of self-esteem, diabetes. We have them write essays and give them $500 apiece and come to a workshop of mine and work with actors and put on a 10-minute show at the Ben Vereen Awards. I believe arts can heal.
Do you find at that age they are more receptive to hearing about life changes?
No. Because they are “in” life changes. So all I can do in an auditorium is inform of what they have access to at this particular point and stage of life.
What things do you feel they should access?
Life. Be more observant. Be more attentive. And learn all you can. Apply what they learn through your life.
Have students come back to you down the road and messaged you and said you’ve affected their lives?
Yes. They say I gave a speech or a class and it changed their life or they’re “here” because of this. Passing on the torch is a reward.
Right now are you actively looking for performing roles?
I always am. I’m looking for things and grateful for the employment. I’m doing the Rocky Horror Picture Show (in Toronto). And I look for things.
Toronto has a live production of Rocky Horror.
Yes, I know. We did it for the production company. I was not here (for that). I thought this was wonderful because I had not seen the show. I’m looking forward to the production.
Was that a project they reached out to you for?
Yes. They reached out to me and made it happen. I was all booked up, but they made it happen. I’m thankful for that.
Do you feel they’re maintaining the spirit of the original?
I feel they are and Kenny Ortega’s putting a new spin on it as well. Laverne Cox is playing Dr. Frank-n-Furter. They brought back Tim Curry. Even me as Dr. Scott is a different spin.
What future projects do you have lined up?
I return to the WTA to Sacramento, San Diego, Tuscan and around the country. The Ben Vereen Awards are coming up.
A film professor once said, “No one in real life breaks out into song and dance.”
When I was a kid I saw West Side Story and I went nuts for it. I couldn’t understand why (we) didn’t go out into the streets and sing… People tell me they can’t dance. I tell them if you’re walking you’re dancing.
