Ben Vereen to be honored at Gold Coast International Film Festival

Ben Vereen, the actor, singer and dancer who won a Tony Award for his performance in "Pippin," will receive a lifetime achievement award at this year's Gold Coast International Film Festival.

Vereen, 72, will accept his award at the festival's opening-night reception Nov. 4, at the Krasnoff Theater at Tilles Center in Brookville. The event will include a performance by the Uniondale High School choir, Rhythm of the Knight, and a live conversation with Vereen hosted by Frank DiLella, of NY1's "On Stage."

In addition to his stage, film and TV roles — from Chicken George in the 1977 miniseries "Roots" to a dancing Grim Reaper in 1979's "All That Jazz" to the deceitful Wizard in Broadway's "Wicked" in 2005 — Vereen is known as an inspirational speaker on such topics as African American history and education. His awards include the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award and several NAACP Image Awards.

For information on the event and the festival, call 516-829-2570 or go to goldcoastarts.org.