Gregory Hines News

Big band sound transforms the Lincoln Theatre into a Duke Ellington jazz club as Arena Stage presents Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, choreographed by and starring Maurice Hines (Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Uptown... It's Hot!) with direction by Charles Randolph-Wright (Arena's Guys and Dolls and Blue).

From pantomime to tango to tap dancing, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has taken the steps to put together a new season of dance performances that will appeal to all ages and tastes.

Jazz and swing will thrive on U Street as Duke Ellington's music comes home to the Lincoln Theatre in Arena Stage's upcoming musical Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies.

In an industry as unpredictable as show business, it is truly a unique experience to meet one of the longtime greats - a performer who has done everything from Broadway to off-Broadway, film, television, children's specials and variety circuits, who been everywhere from London to Abu Dhabi and back over the course of a nearly 45 year career. It is particularly exciting to be sitting next to this same someone, who I personally grew up watching on T.V. in shows and specials like the unforgettable 'Roots,' and who created some of the most famous roles in show business that have been copied thousands of times by professionals, amateurs and students alike, including 'Judas Iscariot' in Jesus Christ Superstar (Tony nomination), and 'Leading Player' in Pippin (Tony Award). This is a man who has made almost as much of a a name for himself on stage as he has off as an activist for diabetes awareness and arts in education, a motivational speaker, acting coach, mentor, and lecturer in black history (amongst other things) throughout the country.

LADY LIBERTY SINGS THE BLUES IN NEW MUSICAL REVUE 'IF THIS AIN'T IT!' Performances begin January 7 at Theater for the New City

IF THIS AIN'T IT -- a musical revue by Don Arrington that reflects on coping, living and loving in New York City during these current hard times -- will be presented Off-Broadway in 2010 by Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue at 10 St.), with previews beginning January 7 prior to an official press opening on January 9, 2010.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment, has announced, with Broadway In Chicago, casting for the Chicago production of Billy Elliot the Musical, beginning preview performances March 18, 2010 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.). Opening night is Sunday, April 11, 2010. The cast includes John Peter (J.P.) Viernes who joins the previously announced actors Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio and Cesar Corrales in the role of ‘Billy'.

LADY LIBERTY SINGS THE BLUES IN NEW MUSICAL REVUE 'IF THIS AIN'T IT!' Performances begin January 7 at Theater for the New City

Best known as a creator of broad film farces and uproarious parodies, jack-of-all-trades Mel Brooks has been entertaining audiences for years with his wacky and absurdist humor. Now just in time for the holidays, the king of comedy's brilliant work is available for the first time in high definition in The Mel Brooks Collection on Blu-ray Disc, debuting December 15 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

On December 13th, Dancers over 40 will proudly honor five women whose careers, lives and deeds have exceeded expectations and whose contributions to the art of dance have been extraordinary: Marge Champion, Margery Beddow, Nicole Barth, Gemze de Lappe and Billie Mahoney.

On Fri, Sat, & Sun, Dec 4, 5 & 6, 2009 at 9pm (Sunday 8pm) - Upright Cabaret invites you to celebrate love divine this holiday season with a rare solo concert appearance by the incomparable Broadway and Film star LORETTA DEVINE (Oscar Winning Best Picture CRASH, WAITING TO EXHALE, TV: Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, Broadway: Dreamgirls (OBC) opposite Jennifer Holiday and Sheryl Lee Ralph) only at Upright Cabaret on Vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

On Fri, Sat, & Sun, Dec 4, 5 & 6, 2009 at 9pm (Sunday 8pm) - Upright Cabaret invites you to celebrate love divine this holiday season with a rare solo concert appearance by the incomparable Broadway and Film star LORETTA DEVINE (Oscar Winning Best Picture CRASH, WAITING TO EXHALE, TV: Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, Broadway: Dreamgirls (OBC) opposite Jennifer Holiday and Sheryl Lee Ralph) only at Upright Cabaret on Vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

LADY LIBERTY SINGS THE BLUES IN NEW MUSICAL REVUE 'IF THIS AIN'T IT!' Performances begin January 7 at Theater for the New City

On Fri, Sat, & Sun, Dec 4, 5 & 6, 2009 at 9pm (Sunday 8pm) - Upright Cabaret invites you to celebrate love divine this holiday season with a rare solo concert appearance by the incomparable Broadway and Film star LORETTA DEVINE (Oscar Winning Best Picture CRASH, WAITING TO EXHALE, TV: Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, Broadway: Dreamgirls (OBC) opposite Jennifer Holiday and Sheryl Lee Ralph) only at Upright Cabaret on Vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

On December 13th, Dancers over 40 will proudly honor five women whose careers, lives and deeds have exceeded expectations and whose contributions to the art of dance have been extraordinary: Marge Champion, Margery Beddow, Nicole Barth, Gemze de Lappe and Billie Mahoney.

On Fri, Sat, & Sun, Dec 4, 5 & 6, 2009 at 9pm (Sunday 8pm) - Upright Cabaret invites you to celebrate love divine this holiday season with a rare solo concert appearance by the incomparable Broadway and Film star LORETTA DEVINE (Oscar Winning Best Picture CRASH, WAITING TO EXHALE, TV: Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, Broadway: Dreamgirls (OBC) opposite Jennifer Holiday and Sheryl Lee Ralph) only at Upright Cabaret on Vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Tony Award-winning choreographer and internationally celebrated tap dancer Savion Glover will perform in a series of concerts, Jammin' With the Masters, at The Blue Note in November. He will appear on stage with legendary jazz improvisers McCoy Tyner (November 17), Roy Haynes (November 18), Eddie Palmieri (November 19), and Jack DeJohnette (November 21-22). A co-performer for the November 20 performance has yet to be announced. On each night, the performances will be held at 8pm & 10:30pm.

Producers Angelo Fraboni and Daryl Roth have announced that the New York premiere of Vigil, written by Morris Panych and directed by Stephen DiMenna, will begin performances Sunday, September 20, at 3pm at the DR2 Theatre, 103 East 15 Street, east of Union Square. The opening is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29 at 7pm.

New Orleans Ballet Association and The NOCCA Institute present Thank You, Gregory! A Tribute to the Legends of Tap ALL PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!!

Nick Drago & Derrick Schrader Master Classes: Join us for an exciting weekend with Nick Drago and Derrick Schrader, presented in partnership with Alabama Youth Ballet!