Sophisticated Ladies

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the musical revue. For the albums, see Sophisticated Ladies (Charlie Haden album) and Sophisticated Ladies (Sweet Substitute album).
Sophisticated Ladies
SophisticatedLadies.JPG
Original Poster
MusicDuke Ellington
LyricsVarious
BookDonald McKayle
Productions1981 Broadway

Sophisticated Ladies is a musical revue based on the music of Duke Ellington. The musical ran on Broadway in 1981–83, earning 2 awards and 8 nominations at the 35th Tony Awards.

Production[]

Sophisticated Ladies opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 1, 1981 and closed on January 2, 1983 after 767 performances and fifteen previews. The musical was conceived by Donald McKayle, directed by Michael Smuin, and choreographed by McKayle, Smuin, Henry LeTang, Bruce Heath, and Mercedes Ellington. Scenic design was by Tony Walton, costume design by Willa Kim and lighting design was by Jennifer Tipton. The original cast included Gregory Hines, Judith Jamison, Phyllis Hyman, Hinton Battle, Gregg Burge, and Mercer Ellington. Hines' older brother Maurice joined the cast later in the run.

Music[]

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.[1]

Critical reception[]

In his review for The New York Times, Frank Rich wrote that

[T]he new musical revue at the Lunt-Fontanne, is an Ellington celebration that just won't quit until it has won over the audience with dynamic showmanship. It's not a perfect entertainment - let's save the flaws for later - but it rides so high on affection, skill and, of course, stunning music that the lapses don't begin to spoil the fun. What's more, this is the only Broadway revue of recent vintage that operates on a truly grand scale.[2]

Awards and nominations[]

Original Broadway production[]

Year Award Category Nominee Result
1981 Tony Award Best Musical Nominated
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Gregory Hines Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Hinton Battle Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Phyllis Hyman Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical Michael Smuin Nominated
Best Choreography Henry LeTang, Donald McKayle and Michael Smuin Nominated
Best Costume Design Willa Kim Won
Best Lighting Design Jennifer Tipton Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Gregg Burge Nominated
Theatre World Award Phyllis Hyman Won

References[]

  1. ^ "Synopsis and Musical Numbers". GuideToMusicalTheatre.Com, accessed January 5, 2012
  2. ^ Rich, Frank. "Stage: Ellington's 'Sophisticated Ladies'", The New York Times, March 2, 1981

External links[]

Retrieved from ""