In addition to writing the text for my book REJOICE WHEN YOU DIE - The New Orleans Jazz Funerals, Vernel wrote, directed and performed in the international hit ONE MO' TIME and its critically acclaimed sequel FURTHER MO'. The former ran for three-and-a-half years at the Village Gate and branched out into seven touring companies in addition to runs in Australia and in London's West End for a year and a half.

Vernel received Obie Award and Drama Desk Award nominations for his performance in JELLY ROLL!; and an Outer Critics Circle Award and the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical as the author of JELLY ROLL! which toured worldwide. He also wrote and directed the musical fable STAGGERLEE with Allen Toussaint and starring Ruth Brown.

On film he has appeared in Jim Jarmusch's DOWN BY LAW and Herbert Ross' PENNIES FROM HEAVEN. For PBS American Playhouse, he performed in A MARRIAGE: GEORGIA O'KEEFE and ALFRED STEIGLITZ, with Jane Alexander and Christopher Plummer.

He was most recently featured in the Broadway Musical THE LIFE in which he played the role of Lacy, The Bartender.