Sophisticated Ladies 1981

Opened: March 1, 1981
Closing: January 02, 1983

Sophisticated Ladies - 1981 - Broadway History , Info & More

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (Broadway)
205 West 46th St. New York, NY

The musical legacy of Duke Ellington, considered amongst the world's greatest composers and musicians, is celebrated in this stylish and brassy retrospective that has taken audiences and critics alike by storm throughout the world. Memorable music and incredible dancing transport you into the Grand Duke's world. Sophisticated Ladies is a glorious recreation of the Duke Ellington big band sound, featuring his most famous numbers from the infamous speakeasy era of the Cotton Club, the Harlem Renaissance, art deco, and high society, including:



"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." This is the eye-­?popping, foot-­?stomping, Tony Award-­?winning musical extravaganza that will send you into jazz heaven. It's an unforgettable celebration of the genius of Duke Ellington, brought to vibrant life with amazing talent, a sensational big band orchestra, sparkling staging, and all the lights and colors of Broadway!

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Update: All Broadway Lights to Be Dimmed for Hinton Battle
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 2, 2024


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
by Stephi Wild - Mar 1, 2024


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

Mehmet Ali Sanlikol & WHATSNEXT?, Jeff Harnar, and More to Play Birdland Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 29, 2023


Live at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater will feature a number of exciting performances from top jazz artists this October. Check out the lineup here!

Maude Maggart to Present New Show HERE COME THE DREAMERS at Birdland
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2023


BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the singular cabaret artist Maude Maggart in the premiere of her new show “Here Come the Dreamers” on Monday, October 16 at 7:00 PM.

Frank Owens, Broadway Musician And Former Musical Director For IT'S SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO, Passes Away
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2023


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Review: Tap, Snap, and Sway at SOPHISTICATED LADIES at Beef & Boards
by The Marriage Matinee - Jul 18, 2023


Looking for twentieth-century aesthetics (think an Art Deco club) and swingin’ music, making your heart sing, you’re in luck. Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” is a 1981 musical revue of the back of Duke’s celebrated history. From early songs like “The Mooche” and “Mood Indigo” to later hits “I’m Beginning to See the Light” and “Satin Doll,” this vogueish revue taps (literally) the Duke’s music back on the stage where it rightfully belongs.

What Are The Smallest Parts to Win Tony Awards?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 10, 2023


While the large majority of those who have won Tony Awards for performances on Broadway have put in significant stage time in their roles, there are a few notable exceptions. Who are the artists who impressed Tony voters so much that they won their trophies, even with relatively minimal stage time?

THE BRAT PACK Featuring Kathryn Allison, Sam Gravitte, Luke Hawkins & Jelani Remy to Return to Birdland
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 11, 2023


BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of “The Brat Pack” — featuring Broadway stars Kathryn Allison, Sam Gravitte, Luke Hawkins, and Jelani Remy – on Monday, June 12 at 7:00 PM.

MEL AND ELLA SWING! Starring Billy Stritch and Gabrielle Stravelli to Return to Birdland
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2023


BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present renowned pianist and singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli in the return of their special show “Mel and Ella Swing!” on Monday, June 5 at 7:00 PM.

Vintage Theatre to Present SOPHISTICATED LADIES Beginning Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Dec 27, 2022


Vintage Theatre will present Duke Ellington's 'Sophisticated Ladies,' January 27 - March 5 2023. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

PICTURES FROM HOME Box Office to Open Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2022


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Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the current roster of music theatre and cabaret talent performing in this year’s annual Chicago Sings fundraising concert, Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim, Monday, May 23, at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Birdland Jazz Club to Present Steve Ross
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 4, 2022


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Meet the Cast of FUNNY GIRL on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2022


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Freda Payne Stars In Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald At Bucks County Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 9, 2021


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Student Blog: Zodiac Signs of Tony-Nominated Musicals
by Student Blogger: Madison Moore - Mar 22, 2021


The criteria are that these shows have been nominated for Best Musical from the 3rd Tony Awards (the ceremony that started the Best Musical category) in 1949 to the nominations of what will now be the 74th Tony Awards in 2021. I will be determining their signs based upon their Broadway premiere date. With those rules in mind, here we go!

VIDEO: Watch a SOPHISTICATED LADIES Reunion on Stars in the House- Live at 8pm!
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 4, 2021


Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm ET) with a Sophisticated Ladies Reunion!  Duke Ellington: The Music That Defined A Century with Mercedes Ellington, Judith Jamison, Teri Klausner, Ty Stephens and guest hosts Erich McMillian-McCall and Kenneth Hanson.

Tony Award-Winning Producer Roger Berlind Has Passed Away at 90
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 28, 2020


25-time Tony Award-Winning Producer Roger Berlind Has Passed Away at 90. Berlind had produced or co-produced shows including “The Book of Mormon,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “City of Angels” and revivals of “Guys and Dolls” and “Kiss Me, Kate,” plus many more. 

129 Musicals & Shows You Can Stream From Home in 2021
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Nov 21, 2020


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Broadway and Film Actress Paula Kelly Dies at 76
by Stephi Wild - Feb 9, 2020


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Paula Kelly, actress of stage and screen, has died. She was 76. Kelly made her Broadway debut as Mrs. Veloz in the 1964 musical Something More!, alongside Barbara Cook. Her other Broadway credits include The Dozens (1969), Paul Sills' Story Theatre (1971), Ovid's Metamorphoses (1971), and Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies (1981).

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by Stephi Wild - Aug 27, 2019


BroadwayHD, the premiere streaming service for theater fans, is kicking off September with everyone dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. Making its streaming premiere exclusively on BroadwayHD, Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, an infectiously fun and riotous rock and roll time capsule of top 40 hits captured live-in-performance on Broadway will debut September 12 . Grammy Award winners Jerry Leiber and Michael Stoller wrote hit songs for great artists such a King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, The Drifters, The Coasters and Peggy Lee. Subscribers can dance and sing-along to classics including: 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Love Potion #9,' 'Hound Dog', 'On Broadway', 'Stand By Me' and other favorites. If swiveling your hips to the music of Smokey Joe's Cafe has you wanting more, continue your musical journey through the 1950s with the Best Musical Tony Award-winning performance of Memphis, featuring Tony Award-nominees Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, beginning September 26.

Sophisticated Ladies FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Sophisticated Ladies have there been?
Sophisticated Ladies has had 3 productions including Broadway which opened in 1981, Broadway which opened in 1981 and US Tour which opened in 1982.
What Tony Awards has Sophisticated Ladies been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Choreography for Henry le Tan, Best Choreography for Donald McKayle, Best Choreography for Michael Smuin, Best Costume Design for Willa KimBest Direction of a Musical for Michael Smuin and Best Lighting Design for Jennifer Tipton.
What Tony Awards has Sophisticated Ladies won?
Best Choreography for Henry le Tan, Best Choreography for Donald McKayle, Best Choreography for Michael Smuin, Best Costume Design for Willa Kim, Best Direction of a Musical for Michael Smuin, Best Lighting Design for Jennifer Tipton, .

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