Broward Stage Door Theatre to Present SOPHISTICATED LADIES, Begin. 10/25

The Broward Stage Door Theatre will reverberate with the music of the legendary Duke Ellington when Sophisticated Ladies opens on October 25th. Ellington's musical legacy will be celebrated in style in this brassy and classy tribute to one of America's greatest musicians and composers.

"Sophisticated Ladies will definitely bring you back to Harlem's famed Cotton Club," says the show's director Dan Kelley. "Yet it's an eclectic mix of big band swing, jazz, blues, pop, and classical. In short, it's the very best of the best, and it promises to be an unforgettable evening of entertainment."

Duke Ellington was - and is still considered to be an American Master. His career spanned over 50 years - from 1923 until his death. Although he was a pivotal figure in the history of jazz, he embraced the phrase 'beyond category', and preferred to call his work "American Music". Sophisticated Ladies showcases his multi-faceted talent. The show was nominated for eight Tony awards when it originally played on Broadway, and it won three. It features over 35 musical numbers by "The Duke" that have become standards in the American Songbook, including such hits as A Train, It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing, Solitude, Hit Me With A Hot Note,Satin Doll, Mood Indigo, and I'm Beginning To See The Light.

Stage Door's Artistic Director Derelle Bunn has assembled an impressive team for the production. Along with the award-winning Kelley as director, Sophisticated Ladies will feature the choreography of multiple Carbonell Award-winner Chrissi Ardito, the musical direction of Marcus Davis, and costume design by award-winning costumer Peter Lovello.

Kelley has cast the show with some Stage Door favorites as well as several exciting newcomers, including Courtney Blackmun, Marcus Davis, Karma Jenkins, Clint Hromsco, Walter Kemp, Brooke Martino, Shenise Nunez, Gregory Omar Osborne, Ziarra Washington, Stevanie Anita Williams, and Christopher George Patterson.

Says Patterson: "Sophisticated Ladies is one of my favorite shows because of the positively infectious music of Duke Ellington, but more so because it once starred my idol, Gregory Hines, on Broadway. This show brings you back to the days where the spectacle of Broadway was purely the song-and- dance element, and no high-tech scenery or theatrical automation stole the show from the performers."

Sophisticated Ladies will run from October 25th to November 24th at The Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Coral Springs.

Tickets for Sophisticated Ladies are $38; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at http://www.stagedoortheatre.com

For more information about Sophisticated Ladies and/or The Broward Stage Door Theatre, visit www.stagedoortheatre.com.