Broadway Veteran Ted Louis Levy, garners a double nomination for the 2018 Big Easy Awards. Fresh from taping an appearance with New Orleans native son Harry Connick Jr., Ted Louis Levy receives nominations for both "Choreography" and "Best Lead Actor in A Musical" in the roll of another New Orleans Icon, Mr. Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe Morton a.k.a Jelly Roll Morton in Jelly's Last Jam.
The nominations are special for Mr. Levy as the production, presented by The Le Petit Theatre, was mounted roughly 25 years after Ted's collaboration with one of entertainment's iconic artists and personal inspirations, Mr.
Gregory Hines. "The opportunity to have worked alongside Mr. Hines was a life changing experience", said Ted about the original Broadway production that warranted he and Mr. Hines Tony Nominations for their collaboration.
To stand in the space where greatness was created and immortalized was, in Ted's
words "Supremely humbling and monumentally educational". Recalling the experience with Gregory Hines and George C. Wolfe, "It is one experience sharing in the creative process with geniuses but having the opportunity to perform the role and attempt to recapture some semblance of the Broadway production was a master education offered up by the team of George C. Wolfe, Susan Birkenhead, Luther Henderson and Gregory Hines. It was an awesome, nightly revelation."
The Le Petit production was led by the generous and intelligent direction of Mr.
Jackie Alexander. He sternly and often amusingly led the amazing, determined, respectful and talented cast through a grueling 3 week schedule. The original creators would have been proud. During this time when Tap dancing is more prolific than it has been in 75 years, made the experience all the sweeter. "It was an honor to have shared in this experience with this cast and this awesome piece of theatricaL wonder in the town of New Orleans." Ted proclaims.
Ted expects to carry forward the tradition of his inspirations, Finis Henderson, Shirley Hall Bass, Sammy Davis Jr. &
Gregory Hines with forthcoming productions honoring their mastery. "A Lush Life"
Alonzo Saunders singing the music of Sammy Davis Jr., "Black Magic" (A New Musical Play) and "The Rhythm of a Life" with "The Last Swingin' Black Jew".
