By Judy Carmack Bross
(L to R) Artistic Director Michael Weber, 2023 Luminary Award Recipient Paul M. Lisnek and Executive Director Jeannie Lukow at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
Porchlight Music Theater recent “ICONS: Celebrating Ben Vereen” not only kicked off the award-winning theater’s 29th season but also highlighted an artist whose career shows the dazzling variety Porchlight itself brings to Chicago. From Roots to The Muppet Show to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Vereen shared stories via Zoom of his sweeping stardom with Paul M. Lisnek, recipient of Porchlight’s 2023 Luminary Award, who brought out Vereen’s impact on students and professionals as well.
2023 Luminary Award Recipient Paul M. Lisnek interviews the 2023 ICON Award Recipient Ben Vereen via video at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
“I am thankful to people for making Roots the legendary TV series it is – even now. Show that to your children,” Vereen said. “ABC called me, right after Roots aired to ask me to appear on the American Music Awards. They introduced me and there was a standing ovation. I joined the applause and looked at Merv Griffin, the producer. Merv turned to me and said, ‘No, this is for you.’ and I thought ‘Oh my God. Oh my God.’ And that’s when everything turned upside down.”
“You changed culture for sure,” Lisnek added.
Held at the Athenaeum Center, The new special Porchlight Music Theater event was directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber, with music direction by Linda Madonia and musical staging by Isaiah Silvia-Chandley,
Just before Vereen performed the song “For Good” from Wicked he thanked the audience for being there and said: “Porchlight has been bringing music theater to Chicago for 29 years, they are important, and I hope you will support them. I could not be there in person, but I am there in spirit.”
(L to R) Ciarra Stroud, Kelly Felthous, Adrian Aguilar, Kayla Boye and David Robbins perform at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
David Robbins performs at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
Ciarra Stroud performs at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
(L to R) Adrian Aguilar and Kayla Boye preform at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
(L to R) Kelly Felthouse, Kayla Boye and Ciarra Stroud preform at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
Honorary Co-Chair Felicia P. Fields preforms at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
(L to R) Ciarra Stroud, Adrian Aguilar, Honorary Co-Chair Kenny Ingram, Honorary Co-Chair Felicia P. Fields and David Robbins preform at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
The audience saw performances from Vereen’s Broadway career with selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Golden Boy, Hair, Funny Lady and Pippin.
Honorary co-chairs for the evening were Tony-nominated Felicia P. Fields and Broadway’s Kenny Ingram, who welcomed the audience to ICONS. The grand finale of the evening began with the honorary co-chairs joining the performers for a production number from All The Jazz and concluded with Artistic Director Michael Weber presenting the 2023 ICONS Award to Mr. Vereen.
Porchlight Executive Director Jeannie Lukow presented the 2023 Luminary Award to Lisnek, explaining that the award “recognizes an outstanding individual, family or family foundation with a history of philanthropic and volunteer leadership on behalf of Porchlight and music theater in Chicago, and whose generosity inspires others to philanthropic action.”
“Theater is a central part of our society, indeed, the heartbeat of our cultural existence,” Lisnek remarked. “Our arts community is spinning and expanding. Porchlight does amazing art and with the support of those here tonight, you will forever light the world.”
(L to R) Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Development Director Evin Marie Rayford present the 2023 Scene Changer Award at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
The 2023 Scene Changers: back row: (L to R) Chief Valdimir Talley, César Lostaunau, Eva Penar, Rev. L. Scott Donahue and front row: (L to R) Roz Stuttley, Lisa Russ, Ranjana Bhargava and Dr. Nitha Fiona Nagubadi at PORCHLIGHT ICONS: CELEBRATING BEN VEREEN, Friday, Sept. 8 at the Athenaeum Center.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Porchlight Development Director Evin Marie Rayford recognized the 2023 Scene Changers, leaders tapped for their impact on the business, civic and cultural life of Chicago.
Photographs by Anthony Robert La Penna
For more about Porchlight Music Theatre’s 29th season, visit porchlightmusictheatre.org
