“What a wonderful gift to star once again in this spectacular musical celebrating the one and only Duke Ellington! It’s been more than a decade since I starred on Broadway in this fabulous show. I’m also thrilled to be choreographing this brand new version to hit D.C. via the wonderful Arena Stage. One of the things I remember about the Broadway production is that everyone told me that after six months I would start to get bored singing the same songs, but not Ellington! Even after a year I still couldn’t wait to get on stage singing and dancing to the Ellington genius. Look out D.C. – here I come!”
Star of stage, screen, and television, Maurice Hines first appeared on Broadway in 1979 in Eubie! to be followed by performances in Sophisticated Ladies and Uptown… It’s Hot, earning him a Tony Award nomination as Best Actor in a Musical.
concept by Donald McKayle
based on the music of Duke Ellington
musical and dance arrangements by Lloyd Mayers
vocal arrangements by Malcolm Dodds and Lloyd Mayers
original music direction by Mercer Ellington
directed by Charles Randolph-Wright >
Choreographed by Maurice Hines >
April 9 - May 30, 2010
at the Lincoln Theatre
The Duke comes home to the Lincoln with Sophisticated Ladies, the award-winning musical revue that explores the legacy of our local jazz hero starring Broadway legend Maurice Hines >. This glorious re-creation of the big band sound features some of the most memorable music from the Roaring Twenties to the Swing Era, including such classic songs as “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Satin Doll” and the haunting “In a Sentimental Mood.” With one show-stopping number after another, this stylish and brassy retrospective travels through a history of American song and dance, from Charleston to swing to virtuosic tap dancing. It’s an abundance of riches from the most sophisticated and sassy jazz king of all.
Star of stage, screen, and television, Maurice Hines first appeared on Broadway in 1979 in Eubie! to be followed by performances in Sophisticated Ladies and Uptown… It’s Hot, earning him a Tony Award nomination as Best Actor in a Musical. 
