BEN VEREEN IS STEPPIN’ OUT Adelaide Festival Theatre Until 22 Jun 2012 Review by John Wells I’m going to ignore Julie Andrews’ exhortation to start at the very beginning and I will start at the very end. At the close of Ben Vereen’s show, “Steppin’ Out”, the near capacity audience in the Festival Theatre was on its feet, clapping happily with wide smiles in an appreciation of a touching performance of great charm and warmth. The standing ovation was a reflection of Vereen’s gleaming star power and his unabashed glee in performing, rather than a response to a stunning show. This is a constantly enjoyable and amiable production rather than a glittering jewel. Vereen threads his own story through the musical numbers, using anecdotes and video footage, and the autobiographical format works well. We hear of Vereen’s early life, his tour to Vegas, the Broadway successes and Tony awards, hanging out with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr and even some more serious reflections on life since a car accident and stroke. Vereen’s genuine enthusiasm and gentle humour are seductive, although his cheesy schtick is overplayed and feels a bit hokey, especially to Australian punters. Vereen’s voice takes a few songs to settle into a burnished, velvety croon. He has great vocal control and imagination. There are plenty of high points: “At Last”, “Over the Rainbow” (sung a capella with his son accompanying him on bongos), “Memory” and the medley tributes to Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr. Vereen is backed by a brilliantly tight twelve-piece band (featuring a local horn section). Vereen’s vitality, unflagging zeal and sincerity are delightful.