FILE – In this June 14, 2011 file photo, Ben Vereen arrives at the opening night performance of the Broadway musical “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark” in New York. Vereen is apologizing to female actresses for “inappropriate conduct” while he directed a production of the musical “Hair” in Florida in 2015. The apology on Twitter comes a day after the New York Daily News reported several actresses at The Venice Theatre alleged sexually abusive behavior by Vereen, including unwanted kissing, inviting women to join him naked in his hot tub and making demeaning and degrading comments. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Award-winner Ben Vereen is apologizing to female actresses for “inappropriate conduct” while he directed a production of the musical “Hair” in Florida three years ago.
The apology on Twitter comes a day after the New York Daily News reported several actresses at The Venice Theatre alleged sexual misconduct by Vereen, including unwanted kissing, inviting women to join him naked in his hot tub and making demeaning and degrading comments.
https://twitter.com/BenVereen/status/949336425438224384
Vereen, who won a Tony in “Pippin” and starred in the landmark TV miniseries “Roots,” also appeared in the original cast of “Hair,” which celebrates protest, pot and free love.
Vereen says his intention was “to create an environment that replicated the themes of that musical during the rehearsal process.” He hoped the women accepted his “sincere apology.”
