Hinton Battle

Birth Place: Neubraecke, GERMANY

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Battle appeared in 15 films and television programs, including Quantum Leap, Dreamgirls, and Touched by an Angel. On Quantum Leap, he played Thames, the evil Observer from the future, in the final installment of the Evil Leaper trilogy of episodes.

Battle played the role of the Cat in the first U.S. pilot for science-fiction sitcom Red Dwarf, based on the British show of the same name. Notably, he guest-starred as Sweet the jazz demon, in "Once More, with Feeling", Buffy The Vampire Slayer's musical episode in which his spell forces the characters to sing their biggest secrets and fears.

Battle's other Broadway starring roles included Dancin', Dreamgirls, Sophisticated Ladies for which he won his first Tony Award, Chicago (Billy Flynn), and Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr.), which garnered rave reviews from the Chicago press and earned him an Ira Aldridge Award. His role in The Tap Dance Kid earned Hinton a second Tony Award as well as the NAACP Award and the Fred Astaire Award. He won his third Tony Award for Miss Saigon.

Battle's long list of television credits included Shine, his one-man show presented at the HBO Aspen Comedy Arts Festival; The Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary; These Old Broads, co-starring Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins, Debbie Reynolds, and Elizabeth Taylor; and ABC/Disney's Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story where Hinton served as a choreographer and co-star playing Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson.

As a choreographer, Battle's work has been seen on the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Once More, with Feeling", These Old Broads, Foreign Student (with Charles Dutton), The Golden Globe Awards, Dance in America; the sitcoms Fired Up, Sister, Sister, The Trouble with Normal, and The Boys. Hinton has choreographed promos for Warner Brothers, commercials for Coca-Cola, Chicago the musical, and New York Top Appliances. He served as Associate Choreographer on the 65th and 66th Annual Academy Awards with Debbie Allen.

Off-Broadway, Battle served as co-director and choreographer for Evil Dead The Musical. Having finished choreographing the movie musical Idlewild, he joined with Wynton Marsalis for The Buddy Bolden Story, a feature film about one of the originators of jazz in the United States. He then directed the stage musical Respect, a musical journey of women from the 1900s to 2007. Battle's most recent creation, a dance form called Swop that combines swing and hip-hop, was performed on the highly rated Dancing with the Stars in 2006. In 2014, Battle starred in the off-Broadway production Cindy: The Musical.

In 2017, Battle founded the Hinton Battle Dance Academy.

Hinton Battle Photos

Hinton Battle STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Van Helsing [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Billy Flynn [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1991
John

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1985
Dipsey

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Dipsey

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1982
Featured Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
James Thunder Early [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Featured Performer

Performer

Performer (Understudy)

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1979
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Scarecrow

Hinton Battle Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Producer
 
[Toronto, 2007]
Director
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Choreographer
Co-Director

Hinton Battle Movies

[1988]Daddy's Boys Piano Player

[1989]Wedding Band Hawk

[1994]Foreign Student Sonny Boy Williamson

[2006]Dreamgirls Wayne

[2006]Idlewild choreographer

[2010]Louis choreographer

Hinton Battle Videos

Hinton Battle News


Update: All Broadway Lights to Be Dimmed for Hinton Battle

On March 12, 2024, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim all the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute at exactly 6:45pm, in his honor.

Broadway Theatres Will Dim Lights in Memory of Hinton Battle

The Broadway community will honor the memory of Hinton Battle on March 12 by dimming the lights of Broadway theatres.

Amas Musical Theatre To Honor Patricia Birch And Len Cariou At 55th Annual Benefit Gala Concert

Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 55th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 23, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 23, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Broadway Stars Speak Up on Social Media About Dimming Lights for the Late Hinton Battle; League Announces Plans to Come

Just over three weeks ago, on January 30, BroadwayWorld sadly reported the passing of three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle. Now, Broadway stars are speaking up on social media about the lack of announcement from the Broadway League about theatre lights dimming in his honor. 

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld January 31, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 31, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Three-Time Tony Award Winner Hinton Battle Passes Away at 67

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the death of three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle. He was 67 years old.

Joffrey Concert Group Reveals the Selected Choreographers for the Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative

The Joffrey Concert Group has revealed the talented choreographers chosen for the prestigious Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative

Joffrey Ballet Concert Group Reveals New Choreographers for Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative

The Joffrey Concert Group announces the selected choreographers for the Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative: Vernard Gilmore and Eryn Renee Young.

Review: THE WIZ at National Theatre

In 1975 a revolutionary approach to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre. The Wiz was a musical that no one thought would get past its opening night. The show proved everyone wrong. It won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and ran for 1,672 performances. The all-African American version of Dorothy’s trip down the yellow brick road is now embarking on a thirteen-city pre- Broadway tour and is playing at the National Theatre here in DC through October 29th. I am sorry to say that this version is a rocky journey over a cool “Ease on Down the Road”.

Cast Set for World Premiere of SUGAR HILL: THE ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN NUTCRACKER

The complete cast has been set for the world premiere of Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

PERSONALITY: THE LLOYD PRICE MUSICAL to Complete Limited Engagement in Chicago This Month

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of 'PERSONALITY: THE LLOYD PRICE MUSICAL' as it takes center stage in Chicago this month. Witness the incredible journey of Lloyd Price's musical career and be enthralled by his iconic hits.

Feature: Cabaret And Concert Community Mourns Ralph Lampkin

On June 24th, the industry lost a beloved and most interesting member of the family, and Marilyn Lester remembers her friend for Broadway World.

Photos: Go Inside Amas Musical Theatre's Annual Gala Benefit Concert Honoring Sheryl Lee Ralph

A starry line-up of talent was hand to celebrate Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City’s award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Theatre 555. Check out the photos here!

Amas Musical Theatre Will Honor Sheryl Lee Ralph At 54th Annual Gala Benefit Concert Next Month

Amas Musical Theatre  has announced a starry line-up of talent that will be on hand to celebrate the company's 54th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Theatre 555.

Brian Jordan Jr. Will Helm THE WIZ at True Colors Theatre

Brian Jordan Jr., who stars as Maurice Web on the hit BET series 'Sistas,” will direct and choreograph a brand new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, The Wiz at True Colors Theatre Company (915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA 30331).

Saint Aubyn, Stanley Wayne Mathis & More to Lead PERSONALITY: THE LLOYD PRICE MUSICAL Chicago Premiere

Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical has announced the cast for the show’s Chicago premiere. See who is starring, and how to purchase tickets!

50th Anniversary Exhibition of Jamaican Artists Inspired By THE HARDER THEY COME to be Featured at The Public Theater

Beginning on Thursday, February 16, theatergoers will be able to visit Wheel and Come Again: The 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition of The Harder They Come on The Public Theater’s Levin Mezzanine, an exhibition of art inspired by the original film.

James Monroe Iglehart to Star in Broadway-Aimed A WONDERFUL WORLD in New Orleans & Chicago

A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong will premiere in New Orleans and Chicago this fall, with Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart starring as Armstrong. See additional details, and how to purchase tickets!

Sheryl Lee Ralph to be Honored at Amas Musical Theatre 54th Annual Gala Benefit Concert

Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 54th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert, presenting the 2023 “Rosie” Award to Honoree Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. See how to purchase tickets!

Hinton Battle FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hinton Battle has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

Hinton Battle has not appeared in the West End.

Hinton Battle has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Choreographer at The Lortels for "Evil Dead the Musical," Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Miss Saigon," Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Tap Dance Kid," Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Tap Dance Kid," Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Sophisticated Ladies," and Outstanding Featured Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Wiz."

Hinton Battle has won the following awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Miss Saigon, The Tap Dance Kid, and Sophisticated Ladies.

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