Entertainment Legend Ben Vereen to Guest Direct Musical Phenomenon “Jesus Christ Superstar” in the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort Easter Weekend, April 7-8

The Las Vegas premiere of Tony Award and Emmy Award-nominated Broadway In The HOOD‘s explosive production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” to play in The Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort, Easter weekend, April 7-8, 2023.

The Pearl Theater is the only place to experience the grand scale of this highly anticipated production under the direction of Tony Award® and Emmy Award winner Ben Vereen and Assistant Director and Tony Award nominee Torrey Russell.

Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country’s artistic legacy. His first love and passion are and always will be the stage. “The theater was my first training ground. It taught me discipline, dedication, and appreciation of hard work and values that will stay with me for a lifetime. The stage sharpens the creative instrument and encourages you to go deeper inside and try new things,” states Ben.

Ben wrapped filming the Chuck Lorre television series B POSITIVE for CBS, and last season completed multiple episodes of THE GOOD FIGHT, also for CBS, playing FREDERICK DOUGLAS. He performed live CONCERTS for the Star Trek Convention in Vegas in August and next year Ben performs in Chicago, the Carolinas, and Vegas to name a few of his dates.

He recently received the SIDNEY POITIER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award at the National Black Theatre Festival, and in June, he was awarded the inaugural JUNETEENTH LEGACY AWARD from the Broadway League, as well as receiving the HERO’S AWARD from the First Responder’s Children’s Foundation due to his presence at Ground Zero in helping the first responders.

In addition, Ben appeared on CBS Watch Here and was also chosen to be the face of Welcome Back New York City and Broadway as a national commercial.

Ben continues to tour the country with his concert act, motivational lectures, master classes. He performed sold out runs at Jazz at Lincoln Center, as well as in Toronto, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, as well as a lecture at Tuskegee University for Black History Month. As you know, he won a Tony Award/Drama Desk for Pippin, starred in such musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Fosse, Hair, Jelly’s Last Jam, Chicago, Wicked, I’m Not Rappaport, to name a few and is remembered for films like ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘All That Jazz,’ and the Emmy winning role of Chicken George in the iconic ‘Roots.’

“Jesus Christ Superstar” is an iconic rock opera that reinvented musical theater for the modern age. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this global blockbuster tells the story of the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, from the perspective of Judas Iscariot.

As Christ’s followers grow more fervent, Judas must make his fateful choice between faith and betrayal. Filled with an exciting mix of musical styles that draw upon 1970s rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, this contemporary imagining of the biblical tale features high-energy dance and powerful storytelling.

Broadway in the HOOD’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” runs April 7 at 8:00 p.m. and April 8 at 3:00 p.m. in The Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort, 4321 W. Flamingo Rd. Performances are free and open to the

public and seating is available on a first-come first-serve basis. Visit www.broadwayinthehood.org for more information.

About Broadway in the HOOD
A Source of Joy Theatricals is a national 501c3 theatre program based in Las Vegas, Nevada, that is dedicated to making a positive impact in communities across the United States, with a special focus on youth between 8 – 20 years of age.

As the first of its kind in the state of Nevada, this theatre group is proud to be the only one offered the opportunity to premiere a production of this caliber FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC on the Las Vegas Strip! Known for positioning young people to walk through countless doors of diverse opportunities in the arts and entertainment industry, this organization equips young people with the necessary tools for success far beyond the life of entertainment.

A Source of Joy Theatricals offers educational and cultural opportunities to a multitude of America’s future leaders and has gained the attention and support of city, state and government officials, notable celebrities, the NAACP and the American Theatre Wing. Broadway in the HOOD is committed to Helping Others Open Doors!

Since its inception in 2010, Broadway In The HOOD has produced major original productions dealing with social issues as well as some of the biggest Tony Award-winning, Broadway blockbuster hits such as “The Wiz,” “Dreamgirls” and “The Color Purple.” For more information about Broadway in the HOOD, please visit www.broadwayinthehood.org/ and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Palms Casino Resort
Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first resort in Las Vegas fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. Palms Casino Resort features two distinct towers with 766 hotel rooms and suites, a diverse mix of bars, restaurants, live entertainment venues and immersive lifestyle experiences across a 95,000-square-foot reimagined casino.

The resort also includes over 190,000 square feet of meeting, convention and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool and spa area; wedding chapel; the Brenden Theaters 14-screen cinema and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums.

Palms is located just west of the center of the Las Vegas Strip off I-15 on Flamingo Road. Palms Casino Resort is owned by The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (“SMGHA”) an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. For more information visit www.palms.com, or the Palms Press Room. Follow Palms on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.