Sophisticated Ladies
New York City, New York, United States
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
SOPHISTICATED LADIES
Music written by one of the greatest composers of all time,
Duke Ellington, The King of Jazz.
Highlights the music and life of the great Duke Ellington. From his days in the Cotton Club to his jazz suites this show is packed with audience favorites. Envisioned as a musical portrait of Duke Ellington. Act I takes us through the early stages of Ellingtons growth as a major musical force, from the Cotton Club era through his travels here and abroad. Act 11 takes us on a more personal journey, exploring the private man as captured in his music. The suave “love you madly” world of Duke Ellington with over 20 classics including Satin Doll, A train, and It don’t mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing. A great night out for sophisticated ladies and gents.
“Outstanding Dancers and Choreography.
Extraordinary Singers and Cast,
And a Fabulous Swing Orchestra.” New York Times
The score includes "Mood Indigo," "Take the A Train", "I'm Beginning To See the Light", "Hit Me With a Hot Note and Watch Me Bounce", "Perdido", "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart", "Old Man Blues", "In a Sentimental Mood", "Sophisticated Lady", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "Satin Doll", and "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good", among many others.
Awards and nominations
• Tony Award for Best Musical
• Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Hines, nominee)
• Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Battle, winner)
• Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Hyman, nominee)
• Tony Award for Best Costume Design (winner)
• Tony Award for Best Lighting Design (nominee)
• Tony Award for Best Choreography (nominee)
• Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (nominee)
• Theatre World Award (Hyman, winner)
This cast is every bit as great as the original.
- STI
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
SOPHISTICATED LADIES highlights the music of the great Duke Ellington. From his days in the Cotton Club to his jazz suites this review is packed with audience favorites. Envisioned as a musical portrait of Duke Ellington, Sophisticated Ladies opened at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre in New York on March 1, 1981. Gregory Hines, Judith Jamison, Hinton Battle and Gregg Burge were among the original stellar cast. Act I takes us through the early stages of Ellingtons growth as a major musical force, from the Cotton Club era through his travels here and abroad. Act II takes us on a more personal journey, exploring the private man as captured in his music.
Born Edward Kennedy Ellington in 1899, in Washington, D.C. He formed a band in 1918 and became nationally famous while appearing in Harlem nightclubs. His orchestra, playing his own often complex compositions, made many innovations in the jazz idiom. Ellington's compositions include Solitude and Mood Indigo as well as such long concert works as Black, Brown, and Beige .
Ellington possessed a social elegance and gift of articulate verbal expression that inspired respect. He was the only jazz musician to receive an honorary degree from Columbia University and was also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. SOPHISTICATED LADIES brings the suave love you madly world of the great Duke Ellington to life with over 20 classics including Satin Doll, Take the A Train and It Dont Mean A Thing, If It Aint Got That Swing. A crowd pleaser for all sophisticated ladies and gents and a great way to mark the hundredth anniversary of his birth
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