Brooklyn Center Presents TOMMY TUNE 11/14

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College launches its Headliners Series with Broadway legend Tommy Tune in Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 3pm. Backed up by longtime collaborators the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Mr. Tune presents a personal look back at his incredible career, featuring timeless standards, elegant choreography, and his own unique charm and warm-hearted humor.

About Tommy Tune
Tommy Tune has enchanted audiences with his charisma, vision, and innovation for more than 50 years. A native Texan, Mr. Tune began his career as a dancer on Broadway, performing in Baker Street, A Joyful Noise, and How Now Dow Jones. He has received two Tony Awards as a performer (Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 1974 for Seesaw and Best Actor in a Musical in 1983 for My One and Only); four as a choreographer (A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine, My One and Only, Grand Hotel and The Will Rogers Follies); and three as a director (Nine, Grand Hotel and The Will Rogers Follies). His numerous other Broadway credits include directing The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (both the original Broadway production and the 1982 revival), Stepping Out, and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, as well as serving as production supervisor for the 1994 revival of Grease.

He has also been recognized with eight Drama Desk Awards, three Astaire Awards, the Society of Directors and Choreographers George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement, and The National Medal of Arts, the country's highest honor for artistic achievement. His film credits include Hello Dolly, The Boyfriend, Mimi Bluette, Fiore Del Mio Giardino, and Hollywood Blvd. He has been honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recently, Mr. Tune directed the new musical, Turn of the Century, at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

About the Manhattan Rhythm Kings
Known for their polished performances of American popular music from the '20s, '30s and '40s, the Manhattan Rhythm Kings have gained a large and enthusiastic following across the country. They began their career singing on the sidewalks of New York City in 1980. According to theater legend, Mr. Tune saw them performing outside of a subway station and dropped them his card. In 1984 Mr. Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings collaborated on a collection of songs written by Fred Astaire, and the collaboration has continued for more than 25 years. The Manhattan Rhythm Kings have appeared onstage at Radio City Music Hall, and on Broadway. They are favorites at symphony pops concerts and have performed with over 80 orchestras, made numerous television appearances, and have recorded five albums.

Tommy Tune in Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance
Featuring the Manhattan Rhythm Kings
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 3pm
Tickets: $32-$42 ($35-$45 at door)

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Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2010-2011 Headliners Series is sponsored by Con Edison.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving 46,000 schoolchildren from over 300 schools annually with its SchoolTime series.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' programs are made possible in part with public funding from the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for the 2010-2011 season is provided by: Target; JP Morgan Chase; Brooklyn Community Foundation; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; National Grid; TD Bank; Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation; New England Foundation for the Arts; Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour; King's Plaza Shopping Center; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Health Plus; and the Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund, established in the New York Community Trust by founders of The Reader's Digest Association. Additional support provided by CNG Publications, The Brooklyn Eagle, and WBGO Jazz 88. The Sheraton Brooklyn New York Hotel is the official hotel of Brooklyn Center's 2010-2011 season. Backstage catering is graciously provided by Applebee's.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges generous support from the Members of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Assembly and Speaker Sheldon Silver; Members of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Senate and Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson; Members of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York City Council and Speaker Christine C. Quinn; and Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kate Levin.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter-Keddy