Boston Youth Moves Honors Tommy Tune at Swellegance Gala on March 6

His illustrious career on stage and screen has spanned over five decades and earned him an unprecedented nine Tony Awards. Now, the legendary Tommy Tune is coming to the Hub to be recognized for his achievements at Boston Youth Moves' 10th annual Swellegance fundraising event.

Baayork Lee, known as the original "Connie Wong" in A Chorus Line and worked with Mr. Tune in the original Broadway production of Seesaw and assisted him on the Broadway musical, My One and Only, will be our guest presenter. She is an extraordinary lady who will certainly bring some delightful nostalgia to Mr. Tune's Lifetime Award presentation. The swank affair will be held on Saturday, March 6th at the Westin Copley Place.

Swellegance is the annual creative black tie fundraising gala to benefit Boston Youth Moves, a non-profit performing arts program serving Boston area youth. The evening features dancing, dining, complimentary champagne, a unique silent auction and live music by Soul City. This year's event will also feature performances by the talented BYM students, highlighted by the work of special guest choreographer, Kristina Berger. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston's fashionable Back Bay.

JC Monahan, on-air personality at The Boston Channel (WCVB-TV), returns again this year as the event's emcee.

One of the most prolific theater men of the Twentieth Century, Tommy Tune has enchanted audiences over the past 50 years with his charisma, vision and innovation. Mr. Tune began his career as a dancer in the Broadway shows, Baker Street, A Joyful Noise, and How Now Dow Jones. He quickly stepped out of the chorus and into a principal role in the Broadway musical Seesaw, which garnered him his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Less than a decade later, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in My One and Only.

Mr. Tune's talents were not limited to his onstage performances. Throughout his career, he would go on to win an additional seven Tony Awards, four for Best Choreography (A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Grand Hotel, My One and Only, The Will Rogers Follies) and three for Best Direction of a Musical (Nine, Grand Hotel, The Will Rogers Follies), bringing his total to an unprecedented nine Tony Awards. He is also the recipient of eight Drama Desk Awards, three Astaire Awards, the Society of Directors and Choreographers George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement as well as the National Medal of Arts, the country's highest honor for artistic achievement.

Additionally, Mr. Tune's talents extend beyond the stage. His film credits include, Hello Dolly, The Boyfriend and Hollywood Blvd. and he has been honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. This year he marks his 50th year in show business, with his latest tour - Steps in Time, A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance.

To purchase tickets for Swellegance or for more information, call Boston Youth Moves at the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio at (617) 523-1355 or visit www.bostonyouthmoves.org.

Boston Youth Moves

Co-founded in 1990 by Jim Viera and Jeannette Neill, Boston Youth Moves provides ongoing dance education to help encourage young people to explore their limitless potential for artistic expression and realize personal success. Boston Youth Moves offers classes in many diverse disciplines of dance including jazz, ballet, modern and tap, as well as classes in various ethnic styles. The faculty of Boston Youth Moves aim to spark an interest in dance and the performing arts, not only as a career option, but also as a form of self-discipline and artistic expression. For more information on Boston Youth Moves, visit www.bostonyouthmoves.org.

BYM is sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

 

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